Chapter

Matthew 5:12

ESV Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NIV Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NASB Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
CSB Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NLT Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
KJV Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
NKJV Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What does Matthew 5:12 mean?

Jesus has declared that those treated badly on His account are "blessed" (Matthew 5:11). Abuses they could expect were insults, persecution, and false accusations about doing terrible things. The context of these attacks is when people are truly following the teachings of God—the world hates them specifically because they emulate Jesus (John 15:21).

Now Jesus explains why willingness to be connected to Him despite harsh treatment is a blessing. Those who do so will receive great rewards in heaven. Jesus does not hold this out as a consolation prize for a difficult life. He tells His disciples to rejoice and be glad about the opportunity to be treated awfully for His sake. The rewards waiting in heaven because of this honor (Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:12–13) makes the experience itself a victory worth celebrating.

While Jesus will later predict intense hatred levied against Christians (John 16:1–4), attacks on God's people are not new. God sent many prophets to Israel to deliver messages to the people. Many of those prophets were persecuted for representing God. Now many of Jesus' disciples will be persecuted for representing Him to the world, which will earn them great rewards in heaven, as well.

For the first time, Jesus mentions heaven as the destination of His followers instead of the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God). He also describes the blessing of those who are His as including more than just entry into the kingdom, but rewards in heaven.
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