Jesus warned, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20), and Paul wrote, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet Jesus also said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:11), and Scripture says, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them" (Hebrews 13:3).
Millions of Christians around the world face discrimination, prison or violence for their faith. Many churches set aside a Sunday in early November for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Where believers are freer, persecution may look more like mockery, lost friendships or pressure at work. These twelve King James verses show that Jesus told us to expect persecution, that He calls the persecuted blessed, and that we are to remember and pray for them. For hardship in general, see trials and tribulations.
Jesus said it would come
1. John 15:18
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Jesus prepared His disciples the night before the cross. Being opposed for Christ is not proof that you have failed; it is a sign you are walking where He walked.
2. John 15:20
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."
If they persecuted Jesus, His followers should not be surprised by the same. But the verse ends with hope: some will keep your saying, just as some kept His.
3. 2 Timothy 3:12
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
Paul wrote this near the end of his life, from a Roman prison. Faithful living meets resistance; it looks different in every country and workplace, but no close follower of Jesus is exempt.
4. Philippians 1:29
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
Paul says suffering for Christ is given, granted as a gift. The early church saw it as an honor, sharing in His sufferings and in the comfort He brings.
Blessed, and not ashamed
5. Matthew 5:11-12
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
The last beatitude speaks straight to the persecuted and places them in the company of the prophets. Their suffering is seen and will be rewarded.
6. 1 Peter 4:14
"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
Peter wrote to scattered, mistreated Christians. The spirit of glory and of God rests in a special way on those who suffer for Jesus.
7. 1 Peter 4:16
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
The name Christian began as a label (Acts 11:26), and Peter says to wear it gladly. There is no shame in belonging to Jesus.
8. Acts 5:41
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
After being beaten by the council, the apostles left rejoicing, then went straight back to teaching (Acts 5:42). Their joy came from being linked with Jesus, not from the pain.
Remember and pray for the persecuted
9. Hebrews 13:3
"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
Christians are one body, so when one member suffers, all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). Praying by name for imprisoned believers and writing to them are ways to obey this verse.
10. Acts 12:5
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
While the church prayed without ceasing, God sent an angel to free Peter from prison. Prayer for persecuted believers matters. See praying for others.
11. Ephesians 6:19-20
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Paul, an ambassador in bonds, asked first for boldness, not release. Many persecuted Christians today ask for the same prayer: courage and faithfulness, not only safety.
12. Revelation 2:10
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
To the suffering church in Smyrna, Jesus promised a crown of life. The trial was limited, ten days, and the reward eternal. Jesus has the last word.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, You were hated first, and You know every believer who suffers for Your name today. Strengthen my brothers and sisters in prison or in danger, give them boldness and comfort, and protect their families. Make me unashamed to be called a Christian, and help me remember the persecuted in prayer, as if I were bound with them. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal · Pray for the persecuted church with the 30-Day Prayer Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about persecution?
It says persecution will come to faithful believers (2 Timothy 3:12), that Jesus experienced it first (John 15:18), and that the persecuted are blessed (Matthew 5:10). It calls us to respond without revenge: "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not" (Romans 12:14).
How should Christians respond to persecution?
Jesus said to pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Stephen prayed for those who stoned him, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60). If you are being threatened or harmed, it is also right to seek safety; in the US, call 911 in an emergency.
When is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church?
Many churches observe it on a Sunday in early November; in 2026 that is November 1 or November 8, depending on the church. Any Sunday is a good time to pray Hebrews 13:3 together.
Is being mocked for my faith persecution?
Jesus counts reviling and false accusation as persecution (Matthew 5:11), so mockery and exclusion are real, even if they differ from prison or violence. Respond with grace, keep a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16), and see our page on courage.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about trials and tribulations · Bible verses about courage · Bible verses about praying for others · Bible verses about loving your enemy · Bible verses about being a disciple · Bible verses about integrity
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