Matteo 5:11

Jesus applies this to His immediate disciples: Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My name's sake.

These are a few of the forms in which the hatred of the enemies will be likely to manifest itself. It is a persistent, continuous persecution by word and deed, especially hard to bear because of malicious lies which implied, and accused the disciples of, all manner of evil. There are two facts that serve to console them. The statements thus made are deliberate lies due entirely to violent prejudice. And the hatred of men strikes them for His name's sake. It is a distinction, an honor, to suffer in His interest, because they bear His name.