What Does Matthew 5:12 Mean in the King James?
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Your persecution places you among the prophets, while heaven holds a great reward beyond the reach of those pursuing you.
THE MEANING
Opposition reaches you in the same way it reached the prophets before you. Your joy stands beside that truth because the reward held in heaven is great, even when the present is painful. The pursuit does not cancel that reward.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that being pursued means you are abandoned or outside the line of prophetic witness; Jesus places you among the prophets and names a great reward in heaven.
THE ROOT
ἐδίωξαν
ediōxan
GROWS FROM
διωκ-
diōk-
to pursue, chase after
“persecuted” in this verse is ediōxan. The Greek verb describes active pursuit, not just a status someone bears. The word keeps the motion visible: the prophets and the people addressed are being chased for their witness.
ALSO GROWS
diōgmos: persecution, pursuit
διωγμός
This related noun names the pursuit itself, making it visible as an ongoing force rather than a verdict on the person pursued.
diōktēs: pursuer, persecutor
διώκτης
This related word names the one doing the chasing, keeping the verse’s focus on opposition as an active force.
THE PATTERN
Prophetic witness is pursued across generations, while those who bear it remain held within a joy and reward beyond the pursuit.
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.THE THREAD
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.The same Greek verb for “persecuted” appears here: pursuit begins with Jesus and reaches those addressed. Matthew’s promise of prophetic company becomes a continuation of that same path, not evidence that the pursued have been left alone.
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