A selection of verses showing that this theme runs consistently through the Bible.
The psalmist tells us that the righteous can expect problems from the wicked:
12 The wicked plots against the just,
and gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord will laugh at him,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
to kill those who are upright on the path.
4 Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Jesus Christ tells us that his followers can expect to be unpopular:
18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
The apostle Paul says that followers of Jesus should expect persecution:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
The apostle John says that this unpopularity should not be a surprise:
13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
These chapters have links to this theme:
Category