Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad - `exult' х agalliasthe (G21)]. In the corresponding passage of Luke (Luke 6:22-23), where every indignity trying to flesh and blood is held forth as the probable lot of such as were faithful to Him, the word is even stronger than here, "leap" х skirteesate (G4640)], as if He would have their inward transport to overpower and absorb the sense of all these affronts and sufferings; nor will anything else do it.
For great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you: - q.d., 'You do but serve yourselves heirs to their character and sufferings, and the reward will be common.'
Matthew 5:13-16. We have here the practical application of the foregoing principles to those disciples who sat listening to them, and to their successors in all time. Our Lord, though he began by pronouncing certain characters to be blessed-without express reference to any of His hearers-does not close the beatitudes without intimating that such characters were in existence, and that already they were before Him. Accordingly, from characters He comes to persons possessing them, saying, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you," etc. And now, continuing this mode of direct personal address, He startles those humble, unknown men by pronouncing them the exalted benefactors of their whole species.