What Jesus Said About Courage, Hardship & Suffering (33 Teachings)

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.

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.

Deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

King James Version

Matthew 16:24

²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34

³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Take up the cross daily.

Read the Scripture Luke 9:23

King James Version

Luke 9:23

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Whoever does not bear the cross and follow Jesus cannot be his disciple.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:27

King James Version

Luke 14:27

²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

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.

Expect tribulation but take courage because Jesus has overcome the world.

Read the Scripture John 16:33

King James Version

John 16:33

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Follow Jesus even when following may lead to suffering or death.

Read the Scripture John 21:18–19

King James Version

John 21:18–19

¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
¹⁹This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Persecution can become an opportunity to bear witness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:18; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12–13

King James Version

Matthew 10:18

¹⁸And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Mark 13:9

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.

Luke 21:12–13

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.

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.

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.

Do not fear persecutors merely because they can kill the body.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:26–28; Luke 12:4–5

King James Version

Matthew 10:26–28

²⁶Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
²⁷What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Fear God, whose judgment reaches beyond physical death.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4–5

King James Version

Matthew 10:28

²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Congenital suffering is not always a simple punishment for a person's or parents' personal sin.

Read the Scripture John 9:1–3

King James Version

John 9:1–3

¹And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
²And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Suffering can become an occasion for God's works to be displayed.

Read the Scripture John 9:3

King James Version

John 9:3

³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

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.

The one who endures to the end will be saved.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13

King James Version

Matthew 24:13

¹³But he that shall endure unto the end, the same 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.

Great tribulation will be severe but limited for the sake of the elect.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:21–22; Mark 13:19–20

King James Version

Matthew 24:21–22

²¹For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²²And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:19–20

¹⁹For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
²⁰And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Rejecting the path of the cross can reflect human rather than divine priorities.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:22–23; Mark 8:32–33

King James Version

Matthew 16:22–23

²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
²³But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mark 8:32–33

³²And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
³³But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Jesus' glorification arrives through suffering and death.

Read the Scripture John 12:23–28; 13:31–32

King James Version

John 12:23–28

²³And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
²⁴Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
²⁵He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
²⁶If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
²⁷Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
²⁸Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

John 13:31–32

³¹Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
³²If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

Gethsemane models honest lament joined to submission to the Father's will.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:39–46

King James Version

Matthew 26:36–46

³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
³⁷And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
³⁸Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
⁴⁰And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
⁴³And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
⁴⁴And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
⁴⁵Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mark 14:32–42

³²And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
³³And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
³⁴And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
³⁵And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
³⁶And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
³⁷And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
³⁸Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
³⁹And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
⁴⁰And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
⁴¹And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴²Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Luke 22:39–46

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
⁴³And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
⁴⁵And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
⁴⁶And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Textual note: Luke 22:43–44 is not found in some early manuscripts.

Accept the cup the Father gives rather than resisting by violence.

Read the Scripture John 18:11

King James Version

John 18:11

¹¹Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Take courage; do not be afraid when Jesus approaches in the storm.

Read the Scripture Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 6:20

King James Version

Matthew 14:27

²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 6:50

⁵⁰For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

John 6:20

²⁰But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

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.

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.

Peace is found in Jesus amid tribulation.

Read the Scripture John 16:33

King James Version

John 16:33

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus is obedient to the Father even when obedience leads through suffering.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:39, 42; John 4:34; 14:31

King James Version

Matthew 26:39, 42

³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

John 4:34

³⁴Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 14:31

³¹But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Jesus tells truth even when it provokes powerful opponents.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23; John 8

King James Version

Matthew 23

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
⁴For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
⁵But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
⁶And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
⁷And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
¹³But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
¹⁴Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
¹⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
¹⁶Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
¹⁷Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
¹⁸And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
¹⁹Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
²⁰Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
²¹And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
²²And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
²⁴Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
²⁹Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
³⁰And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
³¹Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
³²Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
³³Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
³⁴Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
³⁵That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
³⁶Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
³⁷O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
³⁸Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
³⁹For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

John 8

¹Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
²And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
³And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
⁴They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
⁵Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
⁶This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
⁷So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
⁸And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
⁹And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
¹⁰When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
¹¹She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
¹²Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
¹³The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
¹⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
¹⁵Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
¹⁶And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
¹⁷It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
¹⁸I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
¹⁹Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
²⁰These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
²¹Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
²²Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
²³And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
²⁴I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
²⁵Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
²⁶I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
²⁷They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
²⁸Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
²⁹And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
³⁰As he spake these words, many believed on him.
³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
³³They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
³⁷I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
³⁸I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
³⁹They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
⁴⁰But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
⁴¹Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
⁴²Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
⁴⁵And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
⁴⁶Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
⁴⁷He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
⁴⁸Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
⁴⁹Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
⁵⁰And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
⁵¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
⁵²Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
⁵³Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
⁵⁴Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
⁵⁵Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
⁵⁶Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
⁵⁷Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
⁵⁸Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
⁵⁹Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts. Matthew 23:14 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Jesus is courageous before rulers and accusers.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:57–68; John 18:19–38

King James Version

Matthew 26:57–68

⁵⁷And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
⁵⁸But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
⁵⁹Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
⁶⁰But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
⁶¹And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
⁶²And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
⁶³But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
⁶⁴Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
⁶⁵Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
⁶⁶What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
⁶⁷Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
⁶⁸Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

John 18:19–38

¹⁹The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
²⁰Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
²¹Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
²²And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
²³Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
²⁴Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
²⁵And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
²⁶One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
²⁷Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
²⁸Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
²⁹Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
³⁰They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
³¹Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
³²That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
³³Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
³⁴Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
³⁵Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
³⁶Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
³⁸Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

How can Jesus help?

What Jesus said about Courage, Hardship & Suffering

A Guide for Real Life

Explore the teachings of Jesus by area of life

How can Jesus help?

What Jesus said about Courage, Hardship & Suffering

A Guide for Real Life