Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:10

"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness` sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:10 (ASV)

It is no accident that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, for the world enjoys its cherished hates and prejudices so much that the peacemaker is not always welcome. Opposition is a normal mark of being a disciple of Jesus (cf. Jn 15:18-25; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:13–14). The reward of these persecuted people is the same as the reward of the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven .