What Jesus Said About Enemies, Betrayal & Difficult People (27 Teachings)

Jesus is hated by the world before his disciples are hated.

Read the Scripture John 15:18

King James Version

John 15:18

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Those persecuted for Jesus should rejoice because their heavenly reward is great.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:11–12; Luke 6:22–23

King James Version

Matthew 5:11–12

¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Luke 6:22–23

²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Do not retaliate in personal vengeance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:38–42; Luke 6:29–30

King James Version

Matthew 5:38–42

³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:29–30

²⁹And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
³⁰Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Love enemies and pray for persecutors.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–28, 35

King James Version

Matthew 5:44

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:27–28, 35

²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Bless those who curse you.

Read the Scripture Luke 6:28

King James Version

Luke 6:28

²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Do good to those who hate you.

Read the Scripture Luke 6:27, 35

King James Version

Luke 6:27, 35

²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

If the world persecuted Jesus, disciples should expect persecution.

Read the Scripture John 15:18–20

King James Version

John 15:18–20

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

The world may hate disciples because Jesus chose them out of the world.

Read the Scripture John 15:18–19

King James Version

John 15:18–19

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Do not be anxious beforehand about what to say under persecution.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:19–20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11–12; 21:14–15

King James Version

Matthew 10:19–20

¹⁹But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
²⁰For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Mark 13:11

¹¹But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Luke 12:11–12

¹¹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
¹²For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Luke 21:14–15

¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Family betrayal and hatred may accompany faithful witness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:21–22; Mark 13:12–13; Luke 21:16–17

King James Version

Matthew 10:21–22

²¹And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
²²And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:12–13

¹²Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 21:16–17

¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Endure faithfully under persecution.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13

King James Version

Matthew 10:22

²²And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:13

¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

When persecuted in one town, flee to another.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:23

King James Version

Matthew 10:23

²³But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

"An eye for an eye" is not a license for personal revenge.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:38–42

King James Version

Matthew 5:38–42

³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Neighbor love must extend even to enemies.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:43–48

⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Disciples will face persecution, hatred, betrayal, and death.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:9–10; Mark 13:9–13; Luke 21:12–19

King James Version

Matthew 24:9–10

⁹Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
¹⁰And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Mark 13:9–13

⁹But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
¹⁰And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
¹¹But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
¹²Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 21:12–19

¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
¹³And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls.

One of Jesus' own table companions will betray him.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:21–25; Mark 14:18–21; Luke 22:21–22; John 13:21–30

King James Version

Matthew 26:21–25

²¹And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
²²And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
²³And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
²⁴The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
²⁵Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Mark 14:18–21

¹⁸And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
¹⁹And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
²⁰And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
²¹The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Luke 22:21–22

²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

John 13:21–30

²¹When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
²²Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
²³Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
²⁴Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
²⁵He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
²⁶Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
²⁷And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
²⁸Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
²⁹For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
³⁰He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

The Son of Man goes as Scripture determines, but the betrayer remains accountable.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:24; Mark 14:21; Luke 22:22

King James Version

Matthew 26:24

²⁴The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Mark 14:21

²¹The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Luke 22:22

²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

Jesus predicts the disciples' scattering and Peter's denial.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:31–35; Mark 14:27–31; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38

King James Version

Matthew 26:31–35

³¹Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Mark 14:27–31

²⁷And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
²⁸But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
²⁹But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
³⁰And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
³¹But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Luke 22:31–34

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

John 13:36–38

³⁶Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
³⁷Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
³⁸Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Jesus asks the Father to forgive his executioners.

Read the Scripture Luke 23:34

King James Version

Luke 23:34

³⁴Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Textual note: The words "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" in Luke 23:34 are not found in some early manuscripts.

When his betrayer arrived, Jesus got up and went to meet him rather than hide.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:46; Mark 14:42

King James Version

Matthew 26:46

⁴⁶Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mark 14:42

⁴²Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Jesus knowingly chose the Twelve even though one would betray him.

Read the Scripture John 6:70–71

King James Version

John 6:70–71

⁷⁰Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
⁷¹He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

The world hates Jesus because he testifies that its works are evil.

Read the Scripture John 7:7

King James Version

John 7:7

⁷The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

Mutual love is commanded in the face of worldly hatred.

Read the Scripture John 15:17–18

King James Version

John 15:17–18

¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another.
¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Persecution of disciples reflects ignorance of the Father and hatred of Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 15:21–25

King James Version

John 15:21–25

²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
²²If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
²³He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
²⁴If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
²⁵But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Jesus warns about persecution so disciples will not fall away.

Read the Scripture John 16:1

King James Version

John 16:1

¹These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

Some persecutors will think they are offering service to God.

Read the Scripture John 16:2

King James Version

John 16:2

²They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Such persecution arises from not knowing the Father or Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 16:3

King James Version

John 16:3

³And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

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What Jesus said about Enemies, Betrayal & Difficult People

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What Jesus said about Enemies, Betrayal & Difficult People

A Guide for Real Life