Matthew uses the command Rejoice in the present tense to encourage the disciples to be happy and to keep on being happy in the face of difficult circumstances. The verb is the same one used of the wise men in 2.10; elsewhere Matthew employs it in 18.13; 26.49; 27.29; 28.9.
Matthew includes a second verb, be glad, not found in Luke’s Gospel. Commentators differ in their evaluation of its meaning. For example, one commentator notes that it is a “strong word of Hellenistic coinage” which means “to leap much, signifying irrepressible demonstrative gladness.” On the other hand, another commentator affirms: “Matthew’s word for ‘be glad’ … does not contain the idea of the physical expression of joy, such as is contained in Luke’s ‘leap for joy.’ ” However, it seems to express extreme joy, especially as it is used in the Septuagint (in particular see Isa 12.6; 25.9; 29.19; 35.1, 2; 41.17; 49.13; 61.10; 65.14, 19). One of the standard lexicons gives the following definitions: “exult, be glad, overjoyed.” And in 1 Peter 4.13, where both these verbs occur together, this same lexicon translates “that you might shout for joy.” Elsewhere in the New Testament the word occurs in Luke 1.47; 10.21; John 5.35; 8.56; Acts 2.26; 16.34; 1 Peter 1.6, 8; 4.13; and Revelation 19.7. The related noun form is found in Luke 1.14, 44; Acts 2.46; Hebrews 1.9; and Jude 24.
Most translators will treat Rejoice and be glad together. They are close in meaning, and one gets the impression that the two terms together simply emphasize the point being made here that people should really be happy. Besides, many languages simply do not have two separate words they would use together in this kind of context. Therefore translators will use an expression that means to be very happy, to exult, to be overjoyed. They may use an imperative, as in “Be really happy,” “Make this an occasion for rejoicing,” or “Rejoice.” Or they may have a sentence with “should,” such as “You should rejoice greatly” or “You should rejoice and celebrate.”
The concept of a reward may be difficult for many readers. The main idea is that of a compensation which is valuable and special. If the idea of a reward sounds strange, one should realize that it is a reward of God’s grace, that is, a reward not merited but which God wills to give to those who serve him faithfully. It is not a compensation for work done, but rather a gift which far exceeds any service rendered.
The Greek passive construction, for your reward is great in heaven, is given an active form in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “God will reward you richly.” This is a legitimate and perhaps even necessary restructuring, since heaven was a frequent synonym for God. One commentator warns: “It is important not to read into this phrase the notion of ‘going into heaven,’ but rather ‘with God.’ ”
Some translations will use “gift” for reward, or even “great (or, valuable) gift.” This is kept in heaven, which means that it is God who will give it, as we pointed out. Thus the translation can be “God is keeping a valuable reward for you in heaven,” “God will reward you greatly in heaven,” or “the gift God is keeping for you in heaven is great.”
For so men persecuted the prophets who were before you: the Old Testament tells how prophets like Elijah, Amos, and Jeremiah were persecuted. In addition the Jews of the first century A.D. believed that the prophet Isaiah had been sawn in two, after he had hidden himself in a hollow tree. Hebrews 11.37 may be a reference to this event. Moreover, Jesus was certainly familiar with the tradition that the prophets were persecuted by the people of their own generation (Matt 23.29-36).
For comments on persecuted, see verse 10. The prophets who were persecuted were before you, that is, “they lived long ago” or “they lived back before your own time.”
So means “in the same way.” Thus this whole clause can be translated “people made the prophets of long ago suffer in the same way.”
It may be necessary to reorder this verse, since as the text stands, it is possible to take “This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted” (Good News Translation) as a reference to “for a great reward is kept for you in heaven” (Good News Translation). To avoid this ambiguity, one need merely to reverse the order of the two sentences: “They persecuted the prophets who lived before you in this way. Be glad and happy, because there is a big reward which the Lord has prepared for you.” Another way to handle it is to say “Be happy and glad, because God is keeping a great gift for you in heaven. In fact, people persecuted the prophets of long ago in the same way they now persecute you.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .