Bible Strands
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter writes to believers scattered across Asia Minor who are already experiencing persecution, moving from instructions on godly conduct (4:7–11) directly into the reality of suffering.
The words — ξενίζεσθε (xenizesthe) literally means "do not act like strangers/foreigners," from ξένος (xenos, "alien"), framing surprise at suffering as a kind of dislocation from what one should expect.
The thread — The expectation of persecution for godly living recurs in 2 Timothy 3:12, and Peter himself pairs trial with joy in 1 Peter 1:6 while reminding readers in 1 Peter 5:9 that brothers worldwide undergo the same opposition.
Why it lands — The command is to stop treating suffering as an anomaly; it asks the reader to recognize persecution as the normal condition of a Christ-following community, not an exception that requires explanation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- 1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- Daniel 11:35 Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
- 1 Peter 4:4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
- Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon, to do His work, His strange work, and to perform His task, His disturbing task.