Saying 69

English

Jesus said, ‘Those who have been persecuted in their hearts are favored. They are those who have truly known the Father.’

‘Those who are hungry are favored, because whoever desires it, his stomach will be filled.’

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Interpretation

Saying 69 comprises two teachings. Comparable to Matthew’s version of Saying 54 downplaying the importance of actual poverty in favor of blessing the ‘spiritually’ poor, the first part of Saying 69 minimizes the severity of physical and social persecution for those who simply feel persecuted ‘in their hearts’. Its emphasis on ‘knowing’ God is a feature of later additions to the book. The second part, favor for the hungry, is likely from an earlier version of the book, since it accepts the importance of a material need. Contrast, somewhat, with the other gospels’ versions of Saying 36.

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Parallels

Matthew

5.6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’

5.10–12 ‘Those who are persecuted for justice’s sake are favored, 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

6.21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.’

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.