Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

MATTHEW 5:10KJV
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Matthew 5:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:10 mean?

Matthew 5:10 says that people who are mistreated or harmed because they do what is right are truly fortunate, because God promises them a place in His kingdom. This verse highlights that suffering for doing good is not a loss, but is honored and rewarded by God.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during His Sermon on the Mount, teaching about the values of God’s kingdom. He encourages His listeners by saying that even when they face trouble for living rightly, they are blessed in God’s eyes. The verse connects the idea of present hardship with a future hope and reward.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:10

  • Blessed (μακάριοι, makarioi): This Greek word means more than just "happy"; it carries the sense of being deeply favored or approved by God, even if outward circumstances are hard.
  • Persecuted (διωγμένοι, diōgmenoi): This word means being pursued, harassed, or treated badly, especially because of one’s beliefs or actions for what is right. It suggests ongoing or repeated mistreatment.
  • Righteousness' sake (δικαιοσύνην, dikaiosynēn): The Greek term refers to living according to what is just and right in God’s eyes, not just following rules but seeking what is truly good.
  • Kingdom (βασιλεία, basileia): This word refers to God’s reign or rule, not just a physical place. It means belonging to God’s people and sharing in His promises.

Why Matthew 5:10 matters

  • Matthew 5:10 clarifies that being mistreated for doing what is right is not a sign of failure or abandonment by God, but actually a sign of being blessed.
  • This verse emphasizes that God’s approval and reward are not always seen in present comfort or success, but sometimes in enduring hardship for the sake of what is right.
  • Matthew 5:10 ties into the larger theme of the Beatitudes, where Jesus reverses common ideas about who is truly fortunate, showing that God’s values are often different from the world’s.

Where else these words appear

“for” Greek G1752 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
  • Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

“persecuted” Greek G1377 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Acts 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
  • Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

“Blessed” Greek G3107 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
  • Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

“sake” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;