Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad...
Sermon on Mount, Beatitudes, popularity and ostracism, rewards and punishment
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Rejoice and be overjoyed! Because that compensation of yours [is] great in the skies. Because in this manner they hounded those illuminated, those like you.
Greek
Greek Word Order
We are compensated for being rejected by society.
Lost in Translation
Two commands "rejoice" and "be glad" start this verse. The "be glad" is a rare word, not found in standard ancient Greek, only in Judean biblical Greek. It is used for Hebrew words that mean both "rejoice" and "shout". "Cheer" may capture both ideas in English.
The term translated as "reward" does not mean a prize, but compensation for work. The "great" describes the "reward", but the "great" is modified by the "in heaven", which is literally "in the skies". This means that the "great" is the size of the compensation in that realm.
This is the first time Jesus uses the Greek word "prophets". The roots of that word are the words words "shine" and "lights".
The preposition translated as "before" in the phrase, "which/who were before you", doesn't mean "before" in times. When referring to time, it means "during" or "at". It does mean "before" referring to place in the sense of "in front of." However, the most likely meaning here is "like" in comparing qualities. So, "the ones like you".
Vocabulary (Greek word by word)
χαίρετε (2nd pl pres imperat act) "Rejoice" is from chairo which means "rejoice", "take pleasure in" and "welcome".
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "but". After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, [3 verses] (2nd pl pres imperat mp) "Be exceedingly glad" is from agalliao means "rejoice exceedingly" and is a form of agallomai, ( ἀγάλλω) which means to "glorify" and "exalt", especially the idea of "paying honor" to God. In the Septuagint (Greek OT) it is first used in Psa 2:11, where it translates the Hebrew word giyl, which means "rejoice". In Psa 16:9 and Psa 32:11 it is used to translate samach, "be glad". In Psa 33:1, ranan, "cry out". In Psa 68:4,`alaz, "exult". In Psa 81:1 and Psa 98:4, ruwa` "shout". In Isaiah 12:6, tsahal, "cry shrilly".
ὅτι (adv) "For" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that" and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since" and "wherefore".
ὁ (article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
μισθὸς (noun sg masc nom) "Reward" is from misthos, which means "wages" in the sense of compensation for work done, "pay", "allowance for public service", "hire", "fee", "recompense" and "reward".
ὑμῶν (pron 2nd pl gen) "You" is from humon, which is a plural forms of su the pronoun of the second person, "you".
πολὺς (adj sg masc nom) "Great" is from polys which means "many" (in number), "great" (in size or power or worth), and "large" (of space)". As an adverb, it means "far", "very much", "a great way" and "long".
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
τοῖς (article pl masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
οὐρανοῖς: (noun pl masc dat) "Heaven" is from the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky", "heaven as the seat of the gods", "the sky", "the universe" and "the climate".
οὕτως (adv) "So" is from houtos, which means "this", "that", "the nearer". As an adverb, it means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent" and "that is why".
γὰρ (partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since" and "as". In an abrupt question it means "why" and "what".
ἐδίωξαν (verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Persecuted" is from dioko, which means "to cause to run", "to set into motion", "to pursue", "to chase" [away], "to follow", "to seek after", "to be hurried" (passive), "to urge on", "to prosecute" [legally], or "to drive".
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
προφήτας (noun pl masc acc) "The prophets" is prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will", "interpreter", "keepers of the oracle", "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt", "interpreter," and "herald".
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
πρὸ (prep) "Before" is from pros, which means "before", "in front of", "from" (place), "on the side of", "toward", "before", "in the presence of", "in the eyes of", "before" (supplication), "proceeding from" (for effects), "dependent on", "derivable from", "agreeable", "becoming", "like", "at the point of", "in addition to", "against" and "before".
ὑμῶν. (pron 2nd pl gen) "You" is humon, which is a plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you".
KJV — word by word
Rejoice, -- The word translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice" or, more simply, "welcome". It is in the form of a command.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
be exceeding glad-- The verb translated as "be exceedingly glad", literally means "much leaping" and generally, to "celebrate". Jesus uses it only three times. This word doesn't appear in non-biblically influenced Greek. It appears first in the Greek OT where it translated many different Hebrew words that means "rejoice" "be glad", "shout", "exalt" and so on. This word is a version of a more common Greek word that means "glorify" and "exalt", which would work here, but the Judean use of this word seems broader.
for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause so "for what", "because", "since" and "wherefore".
great -- (WP) The word translated as "great" is an adjective the means "many in number" or "great in status or size". Since it is singular, today we might say "massive" or "huge". This word appears after "reward" and before the phrase "in the skies" that modifies it.
is -- There is no verb "is" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
reward -- The word that is translated here as "reward" primarily means wages paid for work. It is the same word used in translating "wages of sin". Jesus uses this word to describe something earned not a gift given.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among". With the accusative, it means "into", "on" and "for". When referring to time, it means "during".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky", the "climate" and the "universe". It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies".
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why". However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
so -- The Greek adverb means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent" and "that is why".
persecuted -- (WF) The word translated as "persecute" means "to chase" or "to drive". It is the same verb used in the previous verse, Matthew 5:11. It is in a form that indicates something that might or should have happened at some time.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
prophets -- (UW) "Prophets" is a word that means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will", but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better.
which -- (WW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
were -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "were" in the Greek source.
before -- The word translated as "before" means "before" both in time and place.
you. -- The word translated as "you" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners.
NIV — word by word
Rejoice, -- The word translated as "rejoice" means "rejoice" or, more simply, "welcome". It is in the form of a command.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
be glad-- The verb translated as "be glad", literally means "much leaping" and generally, to "celebrate". Jesus uses it only three times. This word doesn't appear in non-biblically influenced Greek. It appears first in the Greek OT where it translated many different Hebrew words that means "rejoice", "be glad", "shout", "exalt" and so on. This word is a version of a more common Greek word that means "glorify" and "exalt", which would work here, but the Judean use of this word seems broader.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause so "for what", "because", "since" and "wherefore".
great -- (WP) The word translated as "great" is an adjective the means "many in number" or "great in status or size". Since it is singular, today we might say "massive" or "huge". This word appears after "reward" and before the phrase "in the skies" that modifies it.
is -- There is no verb "is" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
reward -- The word that is translated here as "reward" primarily means wages paid for work. It is the same word used in translating "wages of sin". Jesus uses this word to describe something earned not a gift given.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with" or "among". With the accusative, it means "into", "on" and "for". When referring to time, it means "during".
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heaven: - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means "sky", the "climate" and the "universe". It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is plural, not singular, so "skies".
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why". However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
in the same way-- The Greek adverb means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent" and "that is why".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
persecuted -- (WF) The word translated as "persecute" means "to chase" or "to drive". It is the same verb used in the previous verse, Matthew 5:11. It is in a form that indicates something that might or should have happened at some time.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
prophets -- (UW) "Prophets" is a word that means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will", but its root words mean "shine light before" and so "shining lights" or "enlightened" seems to capture the idea better.
who -- (WW) The word translated as "who" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one". The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
were -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "were" in the Greek source.
before -- The word translated as "before" means "before" both in time and place.
you. -- The word translated as "you" is plural addressing a group of Jesus's listeners.
Related Verses
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you, when [men] shall revile you...