MAT 5:12 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Rejoice and be very glad, for your reward is great in the heavens, for in this way they persecuted the prophets before you.

UST When people treat you like that, God is ready to reward you greatly from heaven. So, you should rejoice very much! Further, people mistreated the Jewish prophets long ago just as people mistreat you now.

BLB Rejoice and exult, because great is your reward in the heavens; for thus they persecuted the prophets before you.

AICNT “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

OEB Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in heaven will be great; this is the way they persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

WEBBE Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

LSV rejoice and be glad, because your reward [is] great in the heavens, for thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

FBV Be glad, be really glad, for you will receive a great reward in heaven—for they persecuted the prophets who came before you in just the same way.

TCNT Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

T4T When that happens, rejoice and be glad [DOU], because God will give you a great reward in heaven. God will think highly of you, just like he thought highly of the prophets whom your ancestors persecuted long ago.

LEB Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

BBE Be glad and full of joy; for great is your reward in heaven: for so were the prophets attacked who were before you.

Moff rejoice and exult in it, for your reward is rich in heaven; that is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

Wymth Be joyful and triumphant, because your reward is great in the Heavens; for so were the Prophets before you persecuted.

ASV Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

DRA Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

YLT rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward [is] great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Drby Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for thus have they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

RV Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

SLT Rejoice and be transported with joy; for much your reward in the heavens for so they drove out the prophets which before you.

Wbstr Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

KJB-1769 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

KJB-1611 Reioyce, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heauen: For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps Reioyce, and be glad: for great is your rewarde in heauen. For so persecuted they the prophetes, whiche were before you.
(Rejoice, and be glad: for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets, which were before you.)

Gnva Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.
(Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. )

Cvdl Reioyce and be glad, for greate is youre rewarde in heue.For so persecuted they the Prophetes which were before youre dayes.
(Rejoice and be glad, for great is your(pl) reward in heue.For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before your(pl) days.)

TNT Reioyce and be glad for greate is youre rewarde in heven. For so persecuted they the Prophetes which were before youre dayes.
(Rejoice and be glad for great is your(pl) reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before your(pl) days. )

Wycl Ioie ye, and be ye glad, for youre meede is plenteuouse in heuenes; for so thei han pursued `also profetis that weren bifor you.
(Joy ye/you_all, and be ye/you_all glad, for your(pl) meede is plenteous/plentiful in heavens; for so they have pursued also prophets that were before you.)

Luth Seid fröhlich und getrost, es wird euch im Himmel wohl belohnt werden! Denn also haben sie verfolget die Propheten, die vor euch gewesen sind.
(Are/Be cheerful and confidently, it becomes you in_the heaven probably/well belohnt become! Because also have they/she/them pursue/follow the prophet(s), the before/in_front_of you been are.)

ClVg gaudete, et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra copiosa est in cælis. Sic enim persecuti sunt prophetas, qui fuerunt ante vos.[fn]
(rejoicese, and rejoicese, since/because reward/wages your copious it_is in/into/on the_heavens. So because persecuted are a_prophets, who/which they_were before you(pl). )

5.12 Quoniam merces vestra copiosa est in cœlis. Non in volubilibus, cum non in rebus volubilibus merces æterna esse debeat, sed in spiritualibus firmamentis, ubi habitat sempiterna justitia. Jam ergo sentiunt hanc mercedem qui spiritualibus bonis gaudent. Sed perficietur cum mortale hoc induet immortalitatem. Sic enim persecuti, etc. Temperat exemplo rigorem passionis. Tribus modis fit persecutio: odio cordis, dictis, factis.

5.12 Since reward/wages your copious it_is in/into/on heavens. Not/No in/into/on volubilibus, when/with not/no in/into/on things volubilibus reward/wages eternal to_be should, but in/into/on spiritual firmamentis, where he_lives everlasting justice. Now therefore they_feel this a_reward who/which spiritual good gaudent. But perficietur when/with mortale this induet immortalitatem. So because persecuted, etc. Temperat example rigorem passion. Tribus in_ways fit persecution: hate of_the_heart, after_saying, deeds/activities.

UGNT χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς; οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.
(ⱪairete kai agalliasthe, hoti ho misthos humōn polus en tois ouranois; houtōs gar ediōxan tous profaʸtas tous pro humōn.)

SBL-GNT χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.
(ⱪairete kai agalliasthe, hoti ho misthos humōn polus en tois ouranois; houtōs gar ediōxan tous profaʸtas tous pro humōn.)

RP-GNT Χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.
(Ⱪairete kai agalliasthe, hoti ho misthos humōn polus en tois ouranois; houtōs gar ediōxan tous profaʸtas tous pro humōn.)

TC-GNT Χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς· οὕτω γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.
(Ⱪairete kai agalliasthe, hoti ho misthos humōn polus en tois ouranois; houtō gar ediōxan tous profaʸtas tous pro humōn. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

5:12

Before you translate 5:12, consider what is the most natural order in your language for the clauses in this verse. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the BSB. Compare the BSB with the other examples below.

^12aRejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; ^12bfor in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. (BSB)

^12aYour reward in heaven is great. So rejoice and be glad. ^12bFor/Because they persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way.

^12bThey persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way. ^12aSo rejoice and be glad. Your reward in heaven is great.

5:12a

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven;

Be very happy, because you will receive a big reward/gift in heaven,
In heaven God will honor you greatly. So be extremely joyful!

Rejoice and be glad: The two Greek verbs that the BSB translates as Rejoice and be glad are a doublet. This means that the two words mean basically the same thing. Saying the same thing in two different ways is a Hebrew way of making the command stronger.

Your language may be able to indicate a stronger command in the same way. But it may be more natural in your language to emphasize it in some other way. For example:

Be very happy/glad

You^(plur) should be extremely glad/joyful

Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad (JBP)

because: The conjunction because introduces the reason why the disciples and the crowd should rejoice. They should rejoice because God will give them a big reward in heaven. For example:

because you have a great reward in heaven (GW)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

You will have a great reward in heaven. (CEV)

In other languages, it will be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 5:12a. For example:

Your reward is great in heaven. So rejoice and be glad.

great is your reward in heaven: The phrase great is your reward in heaven means “you will receive something of great value when you go to heaven.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

a great reward awaits you in heaven (NLT)

you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven (NCV)

God will reward/honor you very much in heaven.

reward: The word reward normally refers to something good that people receive because of something that they have done. Here, the meaning of reward focuses on being honored for being faithful to Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate the word reward:

payment

gift

honor

heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the place where God is

paradise

5:12b

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

because they/people persecuted the prophets of long ago just like they persecute you.
Those same kinds of people did the same evil things to the prophets who lived long before your time.”

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 5:12b before 5:12a. See the example above under 5:12.

for: The Greek word that the BSB translates as for introduces the reason why people who were insulted, persecuted, and spoken against should rejoice and be glad. They should rejoice and be glad because Jesus is praising them. He is praising them by comparing them to the Old Testament prophets.

In some languages, it is not necessary to put a conjunction here. For example:

People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago. (CEV)

in the same way: The phrase in the same way introduces a comparison. Jesus was saying that people would do evil to Jesus’ disciples just as people had done evil to the prophets years earlier.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

like that

so (ESV)

what people do to you, that is what they did

they: The pronoun they refers to the people who persecuted the prophets many years before Jesus. The pronoun is also connected to the “people” of 5:11 because there are people in every generation who oppose God and mistreat his followers. You may be able to use the pronoun they with that connection here. But it may be more natural in your language to explain the connection. For example:

those same kind of people

people like them

persecuted: The word persecuted means to “treat someone cruelly and cause the person to suffer.” This same word occurs in 5:10a and 5:11a.

the prophets: The word prophets refers to men who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. God gave some prophets power to work miracles. These miracles helped people realize that God sent the prophets.

Here are some other ways to translate prophets:

spokesmen for God

men who speak God’s words

God’s message-speakers

When choosing a term for prophets, consider how you will distinguish prophets from other words which are similar in meaning, such as “angels,” “apostles,” and “preachers.”

The word “prophet” also occurs in 1:22 and 4:14. See also prophet in the Glossary.

before you: The words before you refer to time. These prophets lived hundreds of years before the time when the disciples lived.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

who lived before you (GNT)

who lived long ago (CEV)

These prophets lived long before your time

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς; οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Χαίρετε καί ἀγαλλιᾶσθε ὅτι ὁ μισθός ὑμῶν πολύς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς οὕτως γάρ ἐδίωξαν τούς προφήτας τούς πρό ὑμῶν)

Here Jesus gives a command followed by two reasons. If it would be helpful in your language, you could rearrange these clauses so that one or both reasons come before the command. Alternate translation: [In fact, in this way they persecuted the prophets before you. Also, great is your reward in the heavens. So, rejoice and be very glad]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε

The terms Rejoice and be very glad mean similar things. Jesus is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [Be exceedingly glad]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

in the heavens

Here, the phrase in the heavens indicates where God is currently keeping the reward. It does not indicate where people will receive the reward. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [that is stored in the heavens] or [that you will receive from the heavens]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

Here, the word for introduces another reason why Jesus’ disciples should rejoice, which is that they are like the prophets who served God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for a claim, or you could leave for untranslated. Alternate translation: [and you should also rejoice because] or [and in fact,]

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

οὕτως

thus

Here, the word this refers back to what Jesus said in [5:11](../05/11.md) about how people mistreat his disciples. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [in those same ways]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν

Here, the phrase before you indicates that the prophets lived before the people to whom Jesus is speaking. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [who lived before you did]

Parallel MAT 5:12

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

5:12

5:12a

5:12b