Matthew 5:12 (WEB)
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Catechism · 2
Our Vocation to Beatitude
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:3-12.
The Mysteries of Christ's Life
“In humbling himself, he has given us an example to imitate, through his prayer he draws us to pray, and by his poverty he calls us to accept freely the privation and persecutions that may come our way.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Jn 13:15; Lk 11:1; Mt 5:11-12.
Fathers and councils · 28
Irenaeus of Lyons
“…[she passes through an experience] similar to that of the ancient prophets, as the Lord declares, “For so persecuted they the prophets who were before you;” inasmuch as she does indeed, in a new fashion, suffer persecution from those who do not receive the word of God, while the self-same spirit rests upon her [as…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 12.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for so did their fathers persecute the prophets which were before you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 10–12.
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Athanasius of Alexandria
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for your reward is great in heaven.’” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12.
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John Chrysostom
“Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.” ( Matt. v. 11, 12.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.” ( Matt. v. 11, 12.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12.
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12
Read the whole comment“My consolation lies in the blessing of the Master who said, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12
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Basil the Great
“I know, and am persuaded in the Lord, that “your reward is great in heaven,” even on account of this very conduct.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 12.
Read the whole comment“By him I am able to salute you, and I beseech you to pray for me, rejoicing and exulting that your reward is great in heaven, and that you have freedom with the Lord to cease not day and night calling on Him to put an end to this storm of the Churches; to grant the shepherds to their…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 12.
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Tertullian
“If the tongue’s bitterness break out in malediction or reproach, look back at the saying, “When they curse you, rejoice.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12; Luke vi. 22, 23.
Read the whole comment“When, however, He says, “Rejoice and exult, as often as they shall curse and persecute you; for very great is your reward in heaven,” of course it is not to the impatience of exultation that He makes that promise; because no one will “exult” in adversities unless he have first learnt to…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12, inexactly quoted.
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Ambrose of Milan
“Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 11, 12.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…let there be present the solace of conscience, and clearly also the joy, in that our reward is great in Heaven, even when men say many evil things of us, and we yet live godly and righteously.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 11, 12
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
The preceding blessings were general; He now begins to address His discourse to them that were present, foretelling them the persecutions which they should suffer for His name.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
It may be asked, what difference there is between ‘they shall revile you,’ and ‘shall speak all manner of evil of you;’ to revile, it may be said, being but to speak evil of. But a reproach thrown with insult in the…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if it be true that he who offers a cup of water does not lose his reward, consequently he who has been wronged but by a single word of calumny, shall not be without a reward. But that the reviled may have a claim…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
This I suppose was added because of those who wish to boast of persecutions and evil reports of their shame, and therefore claim to belong to Christ because many evil things are said of them; but either these are…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
What hurt can you receive when men detract from you, though you have no defence but only your own conscience? But as we ought not to stir up wilfully the tongues of slanderers, lest they perish for their slander, yet…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Rejoice, that is, in mind, exult with the body, for your reward is not great only but “abundant in heaven.”
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Do not suppose that by heaven here is meant the upper regions of the sky of this visible world, for your reward is not to be placed in things that are seen, but by “in heaven” understand the spiritual firmament,…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
This it is in the power of any one of us to attain, that when our good character is injured by calumny, we rejoice in the Lord. He only who seeks after empty glory cannot attain this. Let us then rejoice and exult,…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For by how much any is pleased with the praise of men, by so much is he grieved with their evil speaking. But if you seek your glory in heaven, you will not fear any slanders on earth.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Yet ought we sometimes to check our defamers, lest by spreading evil reports of us, they corrupt the innocent hearts of those who might hear good from us.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
He invites them to patience not only by the prospect of reward, but by example, when He adds, “for so persecuted they the Prophets who were before you.”
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
For a man in sorrow receives great comfort from the recollection of the sufferings of others, who are set before him as an example of patience; as if He had said, Remember that ye are His Apostles, of whom also they…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
At the same time He signifies His equality in honour with His Father, as if He had said, As they suffered for my Father, so shall ye suffer for me. And in saying, “The Prophets who were before you,” He teaches that…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Persecuted” He says generally, comprehending both reproaches and defamation of character.
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Cross-references · 31
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Letters Letter 251.
Cited together in Letters Letter 251.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.3.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in Catechism §520.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in Catechism §520.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 8.
Cited together in Letters Letter 251.
Cited together in On the Good of Widowhood Chapter 27.
Cited together in On the Good of Widowhood Chapter 27.
Cited together in On the Good of Widowhood Chapter 27.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in Catechism §520.
Cited together in On the Good of Widowhood Chapter 27.
Cited together in On the Good of Widowhood Chapter 27.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.3.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.3.
Cited together in Letters Letter 251.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.3.
Cited together in Letters Letter 251.
Cited together in Letters Letter 256.