Matthew 5 10

Matthew 5:10 kjv

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 nkjv

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 niv

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 esv

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 nlt

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 10 Meaning

Matthew 5:10 declares divine favor upon those who endure hardship and mistreatment specifically because of their commitment to living according to God's righteous standards. Their suffering, far from indicating God's disapproval, marks them as true heirs and present possessors of the heavenly kingdom. This blessing transcends earthly circumstances, affirming spiritual security and ultimate reward.

Matthew 5 10 Context

Matthew 5:10 is the eighth and final beatitude in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:3-12). This sermon represents Jesus' radical teaching on true discipleship, counter-cultural ethics, and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. It immediately follows seven beatitudes describing virtues that bring divine blessing. While earlier beatitudes focus on internal spiritual postures (poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart), this final one, together with the following two verses (Mat 5:11-12), explicitly addresses outward consequences, specifically the reality of suffering for adherence to Jesus' new standard of righteousness.For the original audience, who largely lived under Roman occupation and often faced tension with Jewish religious authorities, the concept of suffering for one's beliefs was not alien. However, the prevailing expectation, particularly from some Jewish perspectives, was that God's blessing manifested in earthly prosperity and freedom from suffering. Jesus turns this expectation on its head, proclaiming blessedness not despite but in the face of unjust suffering, linking it directly to the true possession of God's promised reign. He also directly connects their experience to that of the Old Testament prophets (Mat 5:12), validating their suffering as part of a noble tradition.

Matthew 5 10 Word analysis

• Blessed (μακάριοι - makarioi): Not merely 'happy' in a superficial sense, but 'divinely favored' or 'fortunate' in an ultimate spiritual way. It describes a state of profound well-being, wholeness, and true joy that is independent of external circumstances because it originates from a relationship with God. This blessing signifies one's favorable position in God's eyes and guarantees a share in His Kingdom. It's a declaration of their spiritual standing before God, not just their fleeting emotion.
• are (εἰσιν - eisin): Simple present tense. This declares a present reality, indicating that the blessing and the possession of the kingdom are not just future hopes but also current spiritual facts for those who qualify.
• those who are persecuted (οἱ δεδιωγμένοι - hoi dediōgmenoi): A perfect passive participle. This implies a past action with ongoing results, meaning "those who have been and continue to be hunted, pursued, driven away, oppressed, or unjustly treated." This word describes active, sustained antagonism. The perfect tense indicates that suffering is a consistent state or pattern of life for authentic disciples.
• for righteousness' sake (ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης - heneken dikaiosynēs):
  • for the sake of (ἕνεκεν - heneken): Signifies "on account of," "because of," or "for the purpose of." It specifies the precise reason or cause of the persecution. This phrase is critical; it distinguishes blessed suffering from suffering for wrongdoing or personal folly.
  • righteousness (δικαιοσύνης - dikaiosynēs): This term is deep and expansive. In the Sermon on the Mount, it signifies:
    • God's nature and standard: Conformity to God's holy character and His divine will.
    • Ethical conduct: A life of uprightness, justice, and moral purity that transcends external obedience to the law (as per Mat 5:20, "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees").
    • Alignment with Christ: Ultimately, it means living in alignment with Jesus' teachings and lifestyle, participating in God's redemptive purpose, and reflecting His holiness. To suffer "for righteousness' sake" becomes interchangeable with suffering "for Christ's sake" or "for my name's sake" (Mat 5:11, Lk 6:22, Acts 9:16). It signifies suffering specifically because one lives according to the radical ethical demands of God's Kingdom.
• for theirs (ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν - hoti autōn estin): "Because of them it is." The "for" introduces the reason for the blessedness. The genitive "theirs" emphasizes clear possession.
• is (ἐστιν - estin): Again, a present tense verb, denoting current, immediate possession.
• the kingdom of heaven (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν - hē basileia tōn ouranōn):
  • Kingdom (βασιλεία - basileia): Refers to the "reign," "rule," or "sovereignty" of God, not merely a physical territory.
  • of heaven (τῶν οὐρανῶν - tōn ouranῶν): A common Jewish expression referring to God, to avoid speaking the divine name. So, it means "the Kingdom of God."This "kingdom" encompasses both a present spiritual reality and a future glorious establishment. Spiritually, it is entered now through repentance and faith (Mk 1:15), and is evidenced by one's pursuit of Christ-like righteousness (Mat 6:33). Physically, it is a future reality that will be fully consummated upon Christ's return. Those who suffer for righteousness are not only promised a future reward but already experience the benefits, protection, and divine authority of God's rule in their present lives. The repetition of this promise from Mat 5:3 emphasizes its foundational significance for true followers.

Matthew 5 10 Bonus section

This beatitude functions as a crucial link, bridging the internal spiritual virtues described in the first seven beatitudes with the inevitable external realities of living those virtues in a world often hostile to God's ways. It provides enduring comfort and validation for believers throughout history who have faced adversity simply for embodying a godly life. Its placement underscores that discipleship is not passive spirituality but an active, transformational walk that will naturally create friction with unrighteous systems and mindsets. The movement within the beatitudes, from internal posture to outward manifestation and its cost, is deliberate. Furthermore, this blessing profoundly connects followers to the path of Christ Himself, who was persecuted for His absolute righteousness, thus solidifying their unbreakable solidarity with their Lord.

Matthew 5 10 Commentary

Matthew 5:10 presents a core paradox of Christian faith: genuine blessedness resides not in worldly comfort but in suffering endured for fidelity to God's righteous will. This beatitude fundamentally challenges the human inclination to avoid pain, asserting that certain forms of suffering—specifically those arising from a committed life of Christ-like righteousness—are unmistakable signs of divine favor and authentic participation in God's kingdom.The crucial phrase, "for righteousness' sake," is key. This is not about suffering for foolishness or sin, but suffering that occurs because one chooses to live a life aligned with God's character and Jesus' teachings. When a believer faces adversity, ridicule, or opposition due to choosing honesty over deceit, love over hatred, or obedience to God over worldly compromise, their experience is deemed divinely blessed. Such persecution validates their identity as God's children, linking their struggle to the venerable lineage of prophets who also faced hostility for proclaiming God's truth (Mat 5:12).Possession of "the kingdom of heaven" signifies both a present spiritual reality and a future glorious inheritance. For those enduring persecution, this means they are presently under God's sovereign rule, sustained by His power and peace even amidst turmoil. It assures them that ultimate vindication and reward are certain, transcending the temporary pain and injustice of the world. This beatitude calls believers to steadfast adherence to righteousness, viewing opposition as a divine confirmation rather than a cause for despair.