Matthew 5:10

10 Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.

Matthew 5:10 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 5:10

Blessed are they which are persecuted
Not for any crimes they have done, for unrighteousness and iniquity, as murderers, thieves, and evildoers, but

for righteousness sake:
on account of their righteous and godly conversation, which brings upon them the hatred and enmity of the men of the world: for saints, by living righteously, separate themselves from them, and profess themselves not to belong to them; their religious life sets a brand upon, and distinguishes other persons; yea, it reproves and condemns their wicked lives and practices; and this fills them with wrath against them, and puts them on persecuting them: or by "righteousness" may be meant, a righteous cause, the cause of Christ and his Gospel; for by making a profession of Christ, showing a concern for his interest, and by engaging in a vindication of his person and truths, saints expose themselves to the rage and persecution of men: and particularly, they are persecuted for preaching, maintaining, or embracing, the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ; because it is not of man, nor agreeable to the carnal reason of man; it is opposite to the way of justification, which men naturally receive; it excludes boasting, and is contrary to their carnal and selfish principles: persecution is either verbal with the tongue, by cruel mockings and reproachful language; or real, by deeds, such as confiscation of goods, banishment, imprisonment of body, and innumerable sorts of death: the latter seems here more especially designed, and both are expressed in the following verse; and yet the saints, though thus used, or rather abused, are happy;

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
the same blessedness is predicated of these as of the poor in spirit, ver. 3.

Matthew 5:10 In-Context

8 Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God.

9 Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God.

10 Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.

11 Happy 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.

12 Be glad and full of joy; for great is your reward in heaven: for so were the prophets attacked who were before you.