Bible passage: John 15:20
Prophet: Jesus
Written: During the first century
Among the prophecies that Jesus gave to his followers was one in which he forewarned that they, like him, would face persecution. In one example, Jesus said:
Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:20, NIV)
The New Testament of the Bible records several persecutions of Christians. Here are some examples from the book of Acts, which is a part of the Bible that describes events after the resurrection of Jesus:
• The Apostles Peter and John were jailed after preaching about the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4:1-4).
• The Apostles were arrested and jailed after performing miracles in which people were healed of various ailments (Acts 5:12-18).
• Many of the Christians in Jerusalem were persecuted and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching wherever they went. (Acts 8:1-4).
• King Herod (King Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great) persecuted Christians. He arrested Peter and executed James the Apostle. (Acts 12:1–4).
• Paul and Silas were jailed in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40). Paul also was arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36), imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 23:23-26:32), and placed under house arrest for two years in Rome (Acts 28:16-31).
- Research and commentary is based on the book 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies. © Ray Konig and AboutBibleProphecy.com.