What does the Lord Jesus refer to when He says “falsely say all kinds of evil because of Me”

Question:

Today at lunch I heard the Beatitudes said by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and I have questions related to the one below. I understand that Christ said to His disciples that they would have to suffer because of the preaching of the Word or because of the unbelievers, but I do not understand the expression “falsely say all kinds of evil because of Me.” What is it exactly about?

Before I answer I will quote the biblical verse which says this:

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)(NASB)

The meaning of  the expression “falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me” means that people will curse you, they will persecute and say all kind of untrue and evil things against you. So, we need to be happy when people will lie and say all sorts of bad and untrue things against us just because we are disciples of Jesus Christ, therefore, because of Him.

Persecution and suffering is part of every true Christian life and especially when someone turns to Christ even his family begins to persecute him: parents, spouse, siblings, children, etc. God help us stay strong in the midst of persecution.

Translated by Felicia Rotaru