Persecution, a recurring theme throughout the Bible, is often depicted as a tool wielded by the wicked against the righteous. The Scriptures provide numerous accounts where the wicked not only engage in persecution but also take pleasure in its apparent success. This rejoicing in the suffering of the righteous is a manifestation of their rebellion against God and His people.

Biblical Instances of Rejoicing in Persecution

1. The Wicked's Delight in the Suffering of the Righteous: The Psalms frequently highlight the attitude of the wicked towards the righteous. In Psalm 35:19, David laments, "Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice." This verse illustrates the malicious joy the wicked experience when they perceive the righteous as being defeated or humiliated.

2. The Mockery of Jesus: The ultimate example of the wicked rejoicing in persecution is seen in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels recount how the religious leaders and the crowd mocked Jesus as He suffered on the cross. In Matthew 27:41-43, it is recorded, "In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 'He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.'" This mockery underscores the delight the wicked took in what they perceived as the failure of Jesus' mission.

3. The Persecution of the Early Church: The Book of Acts provides accounts of the early Christians facing persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. In Acts 12:1-3, Herod Agrippa's actions are described: "About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. And seeing that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter as well." Herod's actions and the reaction of the Jewish leaders demonstrate the satisfaction derived from the suffering of the early believers.

Theological Implications

The rejoicing of the wicked in the persecution of the righteous is not merely a historical observation but carries significant theological implications. It highlights the enmity between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman, as foretold in Genesis 3:15. This enmity is a spiritual battle that manifests in the physical realm through acts of persecution.

The wicked's delight in persecution is also indicative of their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. They fail to recognize that their actions are ultimately against God Himself, as seen in the words of Jesus to Saul on the road to Damascus: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4). This question reveals that persecution of the righteous is, in essence, persecution of Christ.

The Response of the Righteous

Despite the rejoicing of the wicked, the righteous are called to respond with faith and perseverance. Jesus, in the Beatitudes, encourages those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, saying, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you" (Matthew 5:12). This divine perspective offers comfort and hope, reminding believers that earthly persecution is temporary and that eternal vindication awaits.

In summary, the wicked's rejoicing in the success of persecution is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting their opposition to God and His people. This attitude serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face and the ultimate victory promised to those who endure in faith.Psalm 13:4
Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 11:10
And they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelled on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Prosperity under Persecution
... take heed unto our ways, because the wicked watch our ... land: and I say the whip of
persecution is helpful ... Rejoice, therefore, in your afflictions, if so be you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ...
... godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." For there is ... thirst after Him; they
do not rejoice in doing ... Him, thou mayst enter "where the wicked cease from ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 127 the trouble and.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 248 sq.; should show sympathy and not rejoice in the ... Dreams, terrify the wicked,
[311]424; sins committed in, [312 ... Ease, more perilous than persecution, [317]59 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion.
... angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among ... Once, in a time of persecution,
he retired from ... I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." [649:2 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter xiii the theory of.htm

Twenty Sixth Sunday after Trinity God's Judgment when Christ ...
... the wickedness, tyranny, rage, and persecution directed by ... which all men, godly and
wicked, shall be ... You may rejoice, and console yourselves, believing without ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty sixth sunday after trinity.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... recover, than he brought a magistrate, more wicked the himself ... the Lord Jesus Christ,
in which I greatly rejoice. ... stirred up a spirit of persecution against the ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... missionaries, they founded their orders on an unjust and wicked clause in ... in India,
for almost every inferior degree of persecution is already ... I rejoice to say ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... withdrawn on his early death, he was exposed to persecution from every ... Thy judgments:
wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper ... "We are bid rejoice, why then ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

Preface by the Editor.
... of God against the godless and wicked proceedings of ... or Commonwealth, which so much
abhorred persecution, and were ... I will rejoice if the plan you propose shall ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface by the editor.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... would be brought against them.] 23 Rejoice ye in ... For instances of persecution of
the prophets, see I ... This tendency caused the wicked of Christ's times to say ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 2.htm

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Persecution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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