Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

MATTHEW 5:11KJV
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Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:11 mean?

Matthew 5:11 says that people are blessed when others insult, mistreat, or lie about them because of their connection to Jesus. This verse promises a special kind of happiness or approval from God for those who face unfair treatment for following Jesus.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers as part of the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them what it means to live as his disciples. He prepares them for the reality that loyalty to him may bring slander and persecution, but reassures them that such suffering is not a sign of failure—rather, it is a reason for blessing in God's eyes.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:11

  • "Blessed" (μακάριοι, makarioi): This word means more than just "happy"; it carries the sense of being favored or approved by God, even when circumstances are difficult.
  • "Revile" (ὀνειδίσωσιν, oneidizōsin): This Greek word refers to being insulted or shamed publicly, highlighting that verbal abuse is included alongside physical persecution.
  • "Falsely" (ψευδόμενοι, pseudomenoi): This word means to lie or speak untruths, emphasizing that the accusations are not based on reality but are slanders against the disciples.
  • "For my sake" (ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ, heneken emou): This phrase clarifies that the mistreatment is specifically because of allegiance to Jesus, not for any other reason.

Why Matthew 5:11 matters

  • Matthew 5:11 clarifies that suffering for Jesus is not a sign of God's disfavor, but actually a mark of blessing.
  • The verse emphasizes that the blessing is tied to being mistreated specifically because of loyalty to Jesus, not for any wrongdoing or unrelated hardship.
  • This teaching connects to the broader context of the Beatitudes, where Jesus redefines what it means to be truly blessed in God's kingdom, often in ways that run counter to normal human expectations.

Where else these words appear

“revile” Greek G3679 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
  • Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
  • 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

“falsely” Greek G5574 · used in 12 verses

  • Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
  • 2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
  • Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

“sake” Greek G1752 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • 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.

“persecute” Greek G1377 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • 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.