Matthew 5:11
What does Matthew 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:11 means
Jesus directly addresses His disciples, assuring them that they are blessed when they face personal insults, persecution, and false accusations specifically because of their allegiance to Him. This suffering is not a sign of God's displeasure, but rather an affirmation of their identification with Christ. The emphasis is on the falsity of the accusations and the motivation: "for my sake." This verse personalizes the previous beatitude, preparing them for the realities of discipleship.
Matthew 5:11 in context
Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes
Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.
- Kingdom ethics
- Inner righteousness
- True blessedness
- Light and salt
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and are cruel to you, and say all evil things against you falsely, because of me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed are ye when they may reproach and persecute you, and say every wicked thing against you, lying, for my sake.
Context
Building upon the general blessing for those persecuted for righteousness' sake in verse 10, this verse particularizes and intensifies the promise. It directly addresses the disciples, preparing them for specific forms of opposition they will face "for my sake," leading directly into the call to rejoice despite such suffering.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 27:39
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads,
- Matthew 10:18
yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
- Luke 6:22
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
- John 9:28
And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses.
- Psalms 35:11
Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.
- Revelation 2:3
and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name’s sake, and hast not grown weary.
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:11
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:11 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:11 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:11 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:11 teaches us about light and salt
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 5.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About Anger
The Bible addresses anger directly, offering wisdom on its destructive potential and how believers can manage it righteously.
Topic
Bible Verses About Broken Relationships
The Bible offers guidance and comfort for navigating the pain and challenges of broken relationships, emphasizing reconciliation, forgiveness, and God's love.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.