Saying 58

English

Jesus said, ‘Whoever has suffered is favored. He has found life.’

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Interpretation

Jesus encourages his disciples that, if they suffer in the face of their careers (such as in Saying 55), they will be rewarded.

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Parallels

Matthew

5.10–12 ‘Favored are those who are persecuted for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. You are favored when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’

Luke

6.22–23 ‘You are favored when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the son of man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.’

1 Peter

3.14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are favored.

4.13–14 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing the Anointed One’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of the Anointed One, you are favored, because the spirit of glory, which is the spirit of God, is resting on you.