Paragraph 5:11–12

5:11a

In 5:11 the pronoun changes from “Blessed are those” to “Blessed are you (plur.).”

Blessed are you when people insult you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as insult can also be translated as “revile” (as in the English Standard Version). It means to “treat someone or speak to someone with scorn or great disrespect.” It can also mean to “say or do something that hurts or intends to hurt the feelings of someone.” People insult Jesus’ followers in order to make them feel sad, shame them, or make others think that they are evil.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Blessed are you when others revile you (English Standard Version)
-or-
You are blessed when people say bad things about you (plur.)
-or-
God blesses you when people mock you (New Living Translation (2004))

persecute you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as persecute means “deliberately harm someone,” “mistreat someone” or “cause someone to suffer.” This word also occurs in 5:10a. You should translate it here as you did there.

5:11b

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as say means to “say/speak.” Jesus said that when people say all kinds of evil against his followers, what they are saying is a lie. This is indicated by the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as falsely. Some people will lie and say that Jesus’ followers practice all sorts of bad behavior.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

tell all kinds of evil lies against you (Good News Translation)
-or-
They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you (New Century Version)
-or-
lie concerning you saying, “These people have done many evil things.”

because of Me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as because of Me gives the reason why people insult Jesus’ followers, persecute them, and say evil things to them. The reason is because they are Jesus’ followers. Those who oppose Jesus and his teachings will also oppose his followers who believe and teach the same message.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because you are my followers (Good News Translation)
-or-
on my account (English Standard Version)

-or-

the reason ⌊is⌋ ⌊that you obey⌋ me

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