'Persecuted' in the Bible

But just as then the son who was conceived according to the flesh persecuted the son who was conceived according to the Spirit, so it is now.

As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching the necessity of circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

These people who want to impress others by their external appearance are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.