The term "persecutest" is an archaic form of the verb "persecute," which appears in various translations of the Bible, including older versions such as the King James Version. In the context of the Bible, to persecute means to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious beliefs. This term is often associated with the suffering and trials faced by the early Christians and the prophets before them.

Biblical Context and Usage

The concept of persecution is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the trials faced by God's people. In the New Testament, the term is notably used in the account of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. In Acts 9:4 , Jesus confronts Saul with the words, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" This pivotal moment highlights the identification of Christ with His followers, indicating that to persecute believers is to persecute Christ Himself.

Old Testament References

Persecution is not limited to the New Testament. The Old Testament also records instances of persecution against the prophets and the faithful. For example, Elijah faced persecution from Jezebel after his victory over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19:1-2). Similarly, Jeremiah endured significant opposition and suffering for delivering God's messages (Jeremiah 20:1-2).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality of persecution. In Matthew 5:10-12 , He states, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Here, Jesus emphasizes the blessedness of enduring persecution for His sake, promising eternal rewards.

The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians himself, later writes extensively about persecution. In 2 Timothy 3:12 , he declares, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Paul’s epistles often encourage believers to remain steadfast in the face of trials, viewing persecution as a means of sharing in Christ's sufferings and growing in faith.

Theological Significance

Persecution serves as a test of faith and a means of spiritual refinement. It is seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that His followers would face opposition (John 15:20: "If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also"). The early church viewed persecution as a badge of honor, a testament to their faithfulness to Christ.

Historical Perspective

Throughout history, Christians have faced persecution in various forms, from the Roman Empire's attempts to suppress the early church to modern-day instances of religious oppression. The steadfastness of believers under persecution has often led to the spread of the Gospel, as Tertullian famously noted, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

Practical Implications for Believers

For contemporary Christians, the concept of persecution serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship. It calls believers to stand firm in their faith, to pray for those who are persecuted, and to support them in practical ways. The biblical perspective on persecution encourages believers to respond with love and forgiveness, following the example of Christ, who prayed for His persecutors even as He was crucified (Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing").

He Shows from the Appearance of Christ Vouchsafed to the Apostle ...
... And when we were all fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying unto
me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vi he shows from.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... in the Hebrew tongue" (Acts 26:14), "saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

Christ's Remonstrances
... him. 'Saul, Saul! why persecutest thou Me?' They used to think that they
could wake sleep-walkers by addressing them by name. Jesus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs remonstrances.htm

Grace Triumphant
... suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the
earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/grace triumphant.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" How much must he have been surprised and
confounded at this address! ... "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?". ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xii the conversion of.htm

The Apostle Paul.
... Then Saul heard a voice speaking to him and saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou Me?" And Saul said, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the voice answered, "I am ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/the apostle paul.htm

The Gospel Contains the Ill Deeds Also which were done to Jesus.
... To Saul, [4516] when still a persecutor it is said, "Saul Saul, why persecutest
thou Me?" and, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." There are those who still ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/12 the gospel contains the.htm

Refutation of the Ebionites, who Disparaged the Authority of St. ...
... admit also that testimony concerning Paul, when he (Luke) tells us that the Lord
spoke at first to him from heaven: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv refutation of the ebionites.htm

Acts xxi. 39, 40
... And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou Me? And I answered, Who are Thou, Lord? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlvii acts xxi 39.htm

Psalm LXX.
... be confounded and fear that seek my soul." Christ is speaking: whether Head speak
or whether Body speak; He is speaking that hath said, "Why persecutest thou Me ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxx.htm

Persecutest (7 Occurrences)
...Persecutest (7 Occurrences). Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice
saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/p/persecutest.htm - 8k

Persecute (48 Occurrences)
... And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks. ... And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. ...
/p/persecute.htm - 20k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KICK. (laktizo): In the famous vision on the road
to Damascus the unseen voice said to Saul: "Why persecutest thou me? ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

Pricks (4 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (KJV YLT). ...
/p/pricks.htm - 7k

Persecuted (34 Occurrences)

/p/persecuted.htm - 16k

Nazaraean (14 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I
am Jesus the Nazaraean, whom thou persecutest. (DBY). Acts ...
/n/nazaraean.htm - 10k

Goads (4 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. (WBS). ...
/g/goads.htm - 7k

Persecuteth (1 Occurrence)

/p/persecuteth.htm - 6k

Tongue (160 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto
me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ...
/t/tongue.htm - 42k

Hatest (8 Occurrences)
... well. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 30:21 Thou art turned to be cruel to me;
With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me. (See JPS). ...
/h/hatest.htm - 8k

What does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus