What does the Bible say about persecution?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that persecution for Christ is not a sign of God’s abandonment but a costly blessing that calls believers to steadfast faith, holy conduct, love for enemies, and joy in God’s promised reward. Jesus warns in John 15:18 that the world’s hatred of his people reflects its hatred of him, while Matthew 5:10-12 calls the persecuted blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Second Timothy 3:12 expects godly believers to face opposition, yet 1 Peter 4:12-14 urges them not to be surprised, but to rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings. Christians should endure without retaliation, as Matthew 5:44 commands, trusting God’s strength and righteous judgment.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

2 Timothy 3:12
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
John 15:18
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
1 Peter 4:12-14
[12] Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. [13] But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also you may rejoice with exceeding joy. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
Matthew 5:10-12
[10] Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

OF JESUS Genesis 3:15; Psalms 2:1-5; Psalms 22:1; Psalms 22:2; Psalms 22:6-8; Psalms 22:11-21; Psalms 69:1-21; Psalms 109:25; Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:2-5
OF THE RIGHTEOUS Genesis 49:23; Job 1:9; Job 2:4; Job 2:5; Job 12:4; Job 12:5; Psalms 11:2; Psalms 37:32; Psalms 38:20; Psalms 42:3; Psalms 42:10; Psalms 44:15-18
See PAUL
A mode of divine chastisement Lamentations 1:3
Diffuses the gospel Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19-21; Philippians 1:12-14
Deliverance from Psalms 124; Psalms 129:1; Psalms 129:2
INSTANCES OF
Of Abel Genesis 4:8; Matthew 23:35; 1 John 3:12
Of Lot Genesis 19:9
Of Moses Exodus 2:15; Exodus 17:4
Of David Psalms 31:13; Psalms 59:1; Psalms 59:2
Of prophets martyred by Jezebel 1 Kings 18:4
Of Gideon Judges 6:28-32
Of Elijah 1 Kings 18:10; 1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Kings 2:23
Of Micaiah 1 Kings 22:26; 2 Chronicles 18:26
Of Elisha 2 Kings 6:31
Of Hanani 2 Chronicles 16:10
Of Zachariah 2 Chronicles 24:21; Matthew 23:35
Of Job Job 13:4-13; Job 16:1-4; Job 17:2; Job 19:1-5; Job 30:1-10
Of Jeremiah Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 15:15; Jeremiah 17:15-18; Jeremiah 18:18-23; Jeremiah 26; Jeremiah 32:2; Jeremiah 33:1; Jeremiah 36:26; Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38:1-6
Of Urijah Jeremiah 26:23
Of prophets Matthew 21:35; Matthew 21:36
Of the three Hebrew young men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego) of the captivity Daniel 3:8-23
Of Daniel Daniel 6
Of the Jews Ezra 4; Nehemiah 4
Of John the Baptist Matthew 14:3-12
Of James Acts 12:2
Of Simon Mark 15:21
Of the disciples John 9:22; John 9:34; John 20:19
Of Lazarus John 12:10
Of the apostles Acts 4:3-18; Acts 5:18-42; Acts 12:1-19; Revelation 1:9
Of Stephen Acts 6:9-15; Acts 7
Of the ekklesia (body of Christ) Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1-14; Galatians 1:13
Of Timothy Hebrews 13:23
Of John Revelation 1:9
Of Antipas Revelation 2:13
Of the congregation at Smyrna Revelation 2:8-10

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Christ suffered Psalms 69:26; John 5:16
Christ voluntarily submitted to Isaiah 50:6
Christ was patient under Isaiah 53:7
Saints may expect Mark 10:30; Luke 21:12; John 15:20
Saints suffer, for the sake of God Jeremiah 15:15
Of saints, is a persecution of Christ Zechariah 2:8; Acts 9:4; Acts 9:5
All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer 2 Timothy 3:12
Originates
Ignorance of God and Christ John 16:3
Hated to God and Christ John 15:20; John 15:24
Hatred to the gospel Matthew 13:21
Pride Psalms 10:2
Mistaken zeal Acts 13:50; Acts 26:9-11
Is inconsistent with the spirit of the gospel Matthew 26:52
Men by nature addicted to Galatians 4:29
Preacher of the gospel subject to Galatians 5:11
Is sometimes to death Acts 22:4
God forsakes not his saints under 2 Corinthians 4:9
God delivers out of Daniel 3:25; Daniel 3:28; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Timothy 3:11
Cannot separated from Christ Romans 8:35
Lawful means may be used to escape Matthew 2:13; Matthew 10:23; Matthew 12:14; Matthew 12:15
Saints suffering, should
Commit themselves to God 1 Peter 4:19
Exhibit patience 1 Corinthians 4:12
Rejoice Matthew 5:12; 1 Peter 4:13
Glorify God 1 Peter 4:16
Pray for deliverance Psalms 7:1; Psalms 119:86
Pray for those who inflict Matthew 5:44
Return blessing for Romans 12:14
The hope of future blessedness supports under 1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 10:35
Blessedness of enduring, for Christ’s sake Matthew 5:10; Luke 6:22
Pray for those suffering 2 Thessalonians 3:2
Hypocrites cannot endure Matthew 4:17
False teachers shrink from Galatians 6:12
The wicked
Addicted to Psalms 10:2; Psalms 69:26
Active in Psalms 143:3; Lamentations 4:19
Encourage each other in Psalms 71:11
Rejoice in its success Psalms 13:4; Revelation 11:10
Punishment for Psalms 7:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:6

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