# persecute, persecution #

## Definition: ##

The terms "persecute" and "persecution" refer to continually treating a person or a certain group of people in a harsh way that causes harm to them.

 * Persecution can be against one person or many people and usually involves repeated, persistent attacks.
 * The Israelites were persecuted by many different people groups Who attacked them, captured them, and stole things from them.
 * People often persecute other people who have different religious beliefs or who are weaker.
 * The Jewish religious leaders persecuted Jesus because they did not like what he was teaching.
 * After Jesus went back to heaven, the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government persecuted his followers.
 * The term "persecute" could also be translated as "keep oppressing" or "treat harshly" or "continually mistreat."
 * Ways to translate "persecution" could include,  "harsh mistreatment" or "oppression" or "persistent hurtful treatment"

(See also: [Christian](../kt/christian.md), [church](../kt/church.md), [oppress](../kt/oppress.md), [Rome](../other/rome.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Acts 07:51-53](rc://en/tn/help/act/07/51)
* [Acts 13:50-52](rc://en/tn/help/act/13/50)
* [Galatians 01:13-14](rc://en/tn/help/gal/01/13)
* [John 05:16-18](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/05/16)
* [Mark 10:29-31](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/10/29)
* [Matthew 05:9-10](rc://en/tn/help/mat/05/09)
* [Matthew 05:43-45](rc://en/tn/help/mat/05/43)
* [Matthew 10:21-23](rc://en/tn/help/mat/10/21)
* [Matthew 13:20-21](rc://en/tn/help/mat/13/20)
* [Philippians 03:6-7](rc://en/tn/help/php/03/06)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

 * __[33:07](rc://en/tn/help/obs/33/07)__ "The rocky ground is a person who hears God's word and accepts it with joy. But when he experiences hardship or __persecution__, he falls away."
 * __[45:06](rc://en/tn/help/obs/45/06)__ That day many people in Jerusalem started __persecuting__ the followers of Jesus, so the believers fled to other places. 
 * __[46:02](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/02)__ Saul heard someone say, "Saul! Saul! Why do you __persecute__ me?" Saul asked, "Who are you, Master?" Jesus replied to him, "I am Jesus. You are __persecuting__ me!"
 * __[46:04](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/04)__ But Ananias said, "Master, I have heard how this man has __persecuted__ the believers."

## Word Data:##

* Strong's: 

