60 Bible verses about persecution

         Here are 60 Bible verses about persecution, organized into categories to help with reflection, study, and encouragement:

1. Promises of Persecution

1. 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

2. John 15:20 – “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

3. Matthew 10:22 – “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”

4. Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you.”

5. Mark 13:13 – “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

6. Luke 21:17 – “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”

7. John 16:2 – “They will put you out of the synagogues... whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”

8. Philippians 1:29 – “It has been granted to you... not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.”

9. 1 Peter 4:12 – “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you.”

10. Acts 14:22 – “Through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.”

2. Responses to Persecution

11. Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

12. Matthew 5:44 – “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

13. 1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling.”

14. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil.”

15. Luke 6:22–23 – “Blessed are you when people hate you... for your reward is great in heaven.”

16. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed... persecuted, but not forsaken.”

17. 1 Peter 2:20 – “If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”

18. Hebrews 10:34 – “You joyfully accepted the plundering of your property.”

19. Acts 5:41 – “They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

20. James 1:2 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”

3. God’s Comfort and Presence in Persecution

21. Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

22. Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you... I will uphold you.”

23. Deuteronomy 31:6 – “He will not leave you or forsake you.”

24. Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress...?”

25. 2 Corinthians 1:5 – “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.”

26. Psalm 91:15 – “I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him.”

27. Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

28. 1 Peter 5:10 – “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace... will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

29. Isaiah 43:2 – “When you walk through fire you shall not be burned.”

30. Psalm 9:9–10 – “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed.”

4. Biblical Examples of Persecution

31. Acts 7:59–60 – Stephen was stoned while praying for his persecutors.

32. Daniel 3:16–18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image.

33. Daniel 6:10 – Daniel prayed despite the decree and was thrown into the lions' den.

34. 2 Corinthians 11:24–25 – Paul describes his sufferings: lashes, stoning, shipwrecks.

35. Jeremiah 20:2 – Pashhur had Jeremiah beaten and put in stocks.

36. Hebrews 11:35–38 – Some were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, and killed for their faith.

37. Matthew 14:10 – John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking truth.

38. Revelation 2:10 – “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

39. Acts 12:1–2 – James was killed by Herod, and Peter was imprisoned.

40. Genesis 39:20 – Joseph was falsely accused and imprisoned.

5. Persecution as a Sign of Faithfulness

41. Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.”

42. Luke 6:26 – “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you.”

43. Galatians 6:12 – Some try to avoid persecution by compromising the gospel.

44. Galatians 5:11 – Paul asks, “Why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been removed.”

45. Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know Him... and share His sufferings.”

46. 1 Peter 4:16 – “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.”

47. Colossians 1:24 – “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.”

48. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 – “Your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”

49. Matthew 13:21 – “When tribulation or persecution arises... he falls away.”

50. Revelation 6:9–11 – The souls of the martyred cry out under the altar.

6. God's Justice and Final Judgment

51. Revelation 20:4 – Those beheaded for their testimony reigned with Christ.

52. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–7 – “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you.”

53. Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

54. Revelation 2:13 – Antipas was a faithful martyr in Pergamum.

55. Psalm 37:12–13 – “The wicked plots against the righteous... but the Lord laughs at the wicked.”

56. Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

57. Psalm 140:1–2 – “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men.”

58. Proverbs 24:19–20 – “Fret not yourself because of evildoers... the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

59. Malachi 3:18 – “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked.”

60. Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear... neither shall there be mourning... for the former things have passed away.”