Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 5:10 - 5:10

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 5:10 - 5:10


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

10. οἱ δεδιωγμένοι. ‘Those who have been persecuted,’ not as in A.V. ‘they which are persecuted’. The tense brings the past action into close relation with the present, and implies either (1) generally Blessed are the prophets and other servants of God, who in all past time have been persecuted, i.e. the results of persecution are good, or persecution is a test of good: or (2) specially and with direct reference to the present hour, Blessed are my followers who have already suffered such persecution for my sake as is indicated in Mat 5:11, see next note. According to the second view (2) Jesus after enumerating the excellencies of the kingdom of God turns to His own followers, comforting them with the thought that their very troubles have already given them a claim to the title of ‘Blessed.’

The turn to the passive is very beautiful in this connection, the quality itself is veiled but the result is given; not blessed are the δίκαιοι, but blessed are those that have been persecuted ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης. Persecution is the seal of perfect δικαιοσύνη.