Praying for Those Who Insult and Blaspheme Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was frequently the target of blasphemy and insults during his ministry, and his followers have faced similar treatment throughout history ^{[1, 3]}. In response to this persecution, Jesus taught his disciples to "bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you" (Luke 6:28) ^[2]. This teaching is reinforced by the apostle Paul, who exhorts believers to "bless them which persecute you" and to "not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:14; 12:21) ^[9].

The biblical concept of blasphemy encompasses not only speaking evil of God but also any form of calumny or abuse directed towards God or his people ^{[1, 4]}. In the context of Jesus Christ, blasphemy involves denying his Messiahship or attributing his works to Satan (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10) ^[1]. The early Christian community faced intense persecution, with believers being reviled and blasphemed by those who opposed them (1 Peter 4:14; Acts 13:45; 18:6) ^{[3, 5]}.

In praying for those who insult and blaspheme Jesus Christ, believers are following the example set by Christ himself, who prayed for his persecutors while on the cross, saying, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34) ^[6]. The apostle Paul also prayed for those who opposed him, entreating God to forgive them and give them repentance (1 Corinthians 4:13) ^[7]. According to John Gill, this entreaty involves praying that God would "convince them of their evil, give them repentance unto life, and remission of their sins" ^[7].

The early church fathers continued this tradition, with John Chrysostom emphasizing the importance of praying for one's enemies and neighbors, including those who are unbelieving or hostile ^[10]. This practice is not limited to any one Christian tradition; it is reflected in the writings of various theologians and commentators across different denominations, including Baptist/Reformed, Presbyterian, and Eastern Orthodox traditions ^{[6, 7, 9, 10]}.

Praying for those who blaspheme and insult Jesus Christ is not merely a matter of personal piety but also has communal implications. It reflects a commitment to overcoming evil with good and to demonstrating the love and forgiveness of Christ to a hostile world ^[9]. As Matthew Henry notes, believers are encouraged to interest God in their cause against their enemies, trusting that he will plead their cause and arise on their behalf (Psalm 74:22) ^[8].

The practice of praying for one's persecutors also serves as a witness to the gospel, demonstrating the radical love and forgiveness that characterize the Christian faith. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe, the blasphemy of the name of Christ by unbelievers is often a result of the inconsistent behavior of Christians, highlighting the importance of living a life that honors God and reflects the character of Christ ^[11].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Blasphemy — In the sense of speaking evil of God this word is found in Ps. 74:18; Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24; Rev. 13:1, 6; 16:9, 11, 21. It denotes also any kind of calumny, or evil-speaking, or abuse (1 Kings 21:10; Acts 13:45; 18:6, etc.). Our Lord was accused of blasphemy when he claimed to be the Son of God (Matt. 26:65; comp. Matt. 9:3; Mark 2:7). They who deny his Messiahship blaspheme Jesus (Luke 22:65; John 10:36). Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matt. 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28, 29; Luke 12:10) is regarded by some as a continued and obstinate rejection of the gospel,”
Luke “Luke 6:28 (DRC) — Bless them that curse you and pray for them that calumniate you.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blasphemy — Christ assailed with -- Mt 10:25; Lu 22:64,65; 1Pe 4:14. Charged upon Christ -- Mt 9:2,3; 26:64,65; Joh 10:33,36. Charged upon saints -- Ac 6:11,13. Proceeds from the heart -- Mt 15:19. Forbidden -- Ex 20:7; Col 3:8. The wicked addicted to -- Ps 74:18; Isa 52:5; 2Ti 3:2; Re 18:11,21. Idolatry counted as -- Isa 65:7; Eze 20:27,28. Hypocrisy counted as -- Re 2:9. Saints grieved to hear -- Ps 44:15,16; 74:10,18,22. Gives no occasion for -- 2Sa 12:14; 1Ti 6:1. Against the Holy Spirit, unpardonable -- Mt 12:31,32. Connected with folly and pride -- 2Ki 19:22; P”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Blasphemy — in its technical English sense, signifies the speaking evil of God and in this sense it is found (Psalms 74:18; Isaiah 52:5; Romans 2:24) etc. But according to its derivation it may mean any species of calumny and abuse: see (1 Kings 21:10; Acts 18:6; Jude 1:9) etc. Blasphemy was punished by stoning, which was inflicted on the son of Shelomith. (Leviticus 24:11) On this charge both our Lord and St. Stephen were condemned to death by the Jews. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:28) consisted in attributing to the power of Satan tho”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reviling and Reproaching — Forbidden -- 1Pe 3:9. Of rulers specially forbidden -- Ex 22:28; Ac 23:4,5. The wicked utter, against God. -- Ps 74:22; 79:12. God, by opposing the poor. -- Pr 14:31. Christ. -- Mt 27:39; Lu 7:34. Saints. -- Ps 102:8; Zep 2:8. Rulers. -- 2Pe 2:10,11; Jude 1:8,9. Of Christ, predicted -- Ps 69:9; Ro 15:3; Ps 89:51. The conduct of Christ under -- 1Pe 2:23. Saints Endure. -- 1Ti 4:10; Heb 10:33. Endure for God's sake. -- Ps 69:7. Endure for Christ's sake. -- Lu 6:22. Should expect. -- Mt 10:25. Should not fear. -- Isa 51:7. Sometimes depressed ”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 6:27: Bless them that curse you;.... In common discourse, or anathematize you in their synagogues: and pray for them which despitefully use you: so Christ himself did; See Gill on Mat 5:44.”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:13: Being defamed, we entreat,.... Being blasphemed, as the word signifies, being evil spoken of, our good name taken away, and characters hurt; we entreat or pray to God for them, that he would convince them of their evil, give them repentance unto life, and remission of their sins, according to Christ's direction, Mat 5:44 and in imitation of his example, Luk 23:34 or we entreat them; so the Syriac version reads it, , "we beseech them": not to blaspheme and speak evil of us, since it will be to their own hurt; we give them smooth words, and soft language, not ren”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 74:18: The psalmist here, in the name of the church, most earnestly begs that God would appear fro them against their enemies, and put an end to their present troubles. To encourage his own faith, he interests God in this matter (Psa 74:22): Arise, O God! plead thy own cause. This we may be sure he will do, for he is jealous for his own honour; whatever is his own cause he will plead it with a strong hand, will appear against those that oppose it and with and for those that cordially espouse it. He will arise and plead it, though for a time he seems to neglect it; he wi”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:14: Bless them which persecute you,.... It is the lot of God's, people in this world to be persecuted by the men of it, in some shape or another, either by words or deeds; either by reviling and reproaching them, and speaking all manner of evil of them; or by hindering them the free exercise of religious worship, by confiscation of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, by violently torturing their bodies, and taking away their lives; under all which circumstances they are taught to bless them; that is, to pray for them, that God would show them their evil, give r”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: good. Moral . Let every prayer of ours, then, be accompanied with thanksgiving. And if we are commanded to pray for our neighbors, not only for the faithful, but for the unbelieving also, consider how wrong it is to pray against your brethren. What? Has He commanded you to pray for your enemies, and do you pray against your brother? But your prayer is not against him, but against yourself. For you provoke God by uttering those impious words, “Show him the same!” “So do to him!” “Smite him!” “Recompense him!” Far be such words fro”
James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 2:7: "Is it not they that blaspheme?" &c. as in Jam 2:6 [ALFORD]. Rich heathen must here chiefly be meant; for none others would directly blaspheme the name of Christ. Only indirectly rich Christians can be meant, who, by their inconsistency, caused His name to be blasphemed; so Eze 36:21-22; Rom 2:24. Besides, there were few rich Jewish Christians at Jerusalem (Rom 15:26). They who dishonor God's name by wilful and habitual sin, "take (or bear) the Lord's name in vain" (compare Pro 30:9, with Exo 20:7). that worthy name--which is "good before the Lord's sa”

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