Blessed are y] He turns his speech now to his present hearers, to comfort them against persecutions, which were coming on them. revile you] Reproach you, and miscall you, 1 Corinthians 4:12. 2 Corinthians 6:8. so as reproach is a kinde of persecution. Compare Genesis 21:9. with Galatians 4:29. persecte you] Scourge, imprison, or kill you, chap. 10. 17. Luke 21:16. John 16:2. Acts 5:40. and 16. 22, 23. 2 Corinthians 11:23, &c. say all manner of evil sayings against you] 1 Peter 4:14. falsly] Gr. lying. They have no reward who are justly punished here, in word or deed. for my sake] For religion, not for other causes.