The Persecution and the Meaning of Martyrdom in the Bible

John 15:18-21

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me."

John 16:1-4

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues [today it might be from churches]; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them."

John 17:14-18

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one."

John 12:42-44

"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

Matthew 10:16-20

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Romans 8:35-39

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Why Persecutions and Martyrdom?

If Rome was polytheist and tolerating all types of religion why the Christians where persecuted? While most of the citizens and entire Roman Empire was generally pagan and polytheist, Christians introduce new religion that is Monotheist. They rejected to adore and gave incense to the roman gods and believe in God Trinity. They refused to take part in the military services or frequenting public places and live a pagan life style. This irritates the romans including the Jewish community who also considered Christians as their enemy (heretics). Therefore they influenced the common civilians and the upper classes against the Christians, accusing them with all shorts of false accusations. In short Christians were accused of disobeying the decree of the emperor and refused to serve the roman deity.

Another reason why the Christians were persecuted was for political advantage of gaining the sympathy of the people to reach the power and at the same time to confiscate the lands and belongings of the wealthy roman citizens and aristocrats who converted to Christianity. This was seen in the case of St. Cecilia and Valerianus (the husband) who were martyred because of the ambition and personal greed of the Prefect of Rome.

One basic reason why the Christians were persecuted was because of a noble cause they defended, that they defended the social justice and the equality among people in the roman society. The Christians believe that all human beings are equal because they are children of God, including also the women and slaves. This principle was not approved and tolerated by the roman society, in particular manner by the Emperors. For this reason they accused the Christians as an underground political movement against the state. The Pope and the hierarchy of the Church were persecuted, with the intention that once they were killed the number of Christians will naturally be diminished and weakened. However the history demonstrated that, the more the Christians were persecuted and martyred the more they flourished and became numerous. This will justified the prophecy of Jesus when he said: "…they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death" (Luke 21:12-16).

By enduring the persecution the Christians believe and testified in the promise of Jesus to his disciples: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Mt 5,10-12).

The martyrdom of the Christians was fortified by the conviction given by testament of Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Corinthians 4,7-11).