Bible Strands
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples while delivering the Sermon on the Mount, immediately following his description of their coming persecution. He speaks directly to those who will be insulted and falsely accused for his sake.
The words — The text commands χαίρετε (chairete), a present active imperative meaning "do rejoice," and ἀγαλλιᾶσθε (agalliasthe), a present middle/passive imperative meaning "do exult." It also identifies μισθὸς (misthos) as the "reward" promised to them.
The thread — This promise parallels Luke 6:23, which urges joy amid persecution for the same heavenly reward, while Colossians 3:24 and James 1:2 connect enduring trials to receiving an inheritance or pure joy.
Why it lands — The passage directs readers to anticipate future heavenly compensation rather than dwell on present hostility, grounding their response in historical precedent rather than emotional comfort.
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
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Cross-references
- Luke 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.
- James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- Colossians 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
- 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
- Ruth 2:12 May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
- Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Psalms 58:11 Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
- Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
- Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.