Bible Strands
James 5:6
You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — James addresses wealthy oppressors who have indulged in luxury and prepared for a day of slaughter. He pronounces their guilt while instructing the broader community to wait patiently for the Lord’s return.
The words — κατεδικασάτε (katedikasate) means "you have condemned," and ἐφονεύσατε (ephoneusate) means "you have put to death." Together they describe a completed legal and violent persecution of the righteous.
The thread — This pattern of unjust persecution against the innocent echoes in Isaiah 53:7, John 19:9, and 1 Peter 2:22, where the righteous or Messiah refuses to resist or defend himself.
Why it lands — It demands acknowledgment that divine judgment targets unrepentant oppression and calls believers to endure suffering without retaliation.
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
Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
- John 19:9 and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.
- Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
- Luke 22:51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
- Acts 8:32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Matthew 23:34 Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town.
- Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
- Acts 3:14 You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
- Acts 4:10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.