The term “martyr” comes from the Greek word for “witness”, reminding believers that the supreme act of witness for the gospel is to give up one's life for its sake.
Jesus Christ as martyr
Jesus Christ had to suffer and die
Mark 8:31 In that Jesus Christ gives up his life, he may be thought of as a martyr. But the NT stresses that he is far more than this. Through his death alone come all the benefits of salvation, in which all believers can share. See also Isaiah 53:10
Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.
Jesus Christ's life is given as a ransom for believers
Matthew 20:28 parallel Mark 10:45 See also Luke 9:22; John 10:11; Acts 2:23
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Other examples of martyrdom
Abel
Genesis 4:8; Matthew 23:35 parallel Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 12:24; 1 John 3:12
Zechariah
2 Chronicles 24:20–21; Luke 11:51
John the Baptist
Matthew 14:10–12 parallel Mark 6:27–29
Stephen
Acts 7:58, Acts 22:20 Stephen is the first martyr of the Christian church.
James
Peter
Antipas
Unnamed martyrs
1 Kings 19:10; Romans 11:3; Nehemiah 9:26; Matthew 23:30–34; Luke 11:47–49; Acts 7:52; Romans 8:35–36; Hebrews 11:35, Hebrews 11:37; James 5:6; Revelation 11:7, Revelation 13:15, Revelation 16:6, Revelation 17:6
Noble qualities of martyrs
Courage
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
Prayerfulness
While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Self-denial
Revelation 12:11 See also Matthew 16:24 parallel Mark 8:34; Luke 9:24
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Serenity
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Steadfastness
Revelation 2:10 See also Hebrews 11:35Acts 21:13 See also Daniel 3:16–18
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Martyrdom must be recognised as a possibility for all believers
Luke 21:16 See also Matthew 10:21 parallel Mark 13:12; Matthew 24:9; John 16:2, John 21:18–19
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
Reasons for martyrdom
Refusal to engage in false worship
Daniel 3:6 See also Daniel 3:16–18, Daniel 6:7, Daniel 11:30–33; Revelation 13:15
And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.”
Courageous confrontation
Nehemiah 9:26 See also Matthew 14:2–12 parallel Mark 6:17–29; Acts 7:51–58; Revelation 11:7–10
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
Public confession of Jesus Christ
Matthew 24:9 See also Mark 13:12–13; Luke 21:16–17
Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
A holy life
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.
Methods of martyrdom
Beheading
See also Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16; Luke 9:9; Revelation 20:4
Burning
Daniel 3:11; 1 Corinthians 13:3
Mutilation
Stoning
The sword
Torture
Retribution for instigators of martyrdom
Revelation 6:9–10 See also Matthew 23:35; Acts 12:1–2, Acts 12:23
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”
Rewards of martyrdom
Revelation 2:10 See also Matthew 10:39; Revelation 20:4
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.