Matthew 5:11-12 The Joy of Being a Target

In short, the passage teaches that a person who is a "target" of persecution for their faith in Jesus should feel joy, not because the suffering is pleasant, but because it is evidence of three things:

1. ​ A Divine Blessing: Jesus begins by saying, "Blessed are you..." He frames the experience as a spiritual blessing, not a curse, but only when the persecution is false and endured on his account.
2. ​ A Future Reward: The primary reason for joy is the promise of what is to come: "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..." The joy is rooted in the assurance of this future, eternal reward, which far outweighs the temporary suffering.
3. ​ An Honored Identification: Jesus connects this suffering to a legacy of faithfulness: "...for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Being a "target" in this manner places the believer in the honored company of the prophets, who were also persecuted for speaking God's truth.

Key Points of Matthew 5:11-12

Here is the text of the passage (NIV), followed by a breakdown of its meaning: