And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Parallel translations
- WEB They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
- BSB The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- NKJV So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
- NASB So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
- NLT The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The apostles leave rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' name. Suffering for Christ is received as an honor, not a defeat.
Overview
Their joy reflects Jesus' beatitude that those persecuted for His sake are blessed. They count shame for Christ as glory because they share in His sufferings. This response models the Christian's confidence that union with Christ transforms even disgrace into joy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Jas 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- 1 Pet 4:13–16But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
- Phil 1:29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
- John 15:21But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Isa 66:5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
- 2 Cor 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- Heb 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Rom 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
- Heb 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
- Acts 16:23–25And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
- Isa 65:14Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
- Isa 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 5:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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