Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The apostles didn't just endure shame; they saw it as an honor bestowed upon them, a paradox where indignity became dignity. This profound reversal shows their focus was entirely on "the Name" – Jesus Christ – making suffering for Him the highest privilege, not a disgrace.
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested and brought before the high council, threatened, and even beaten. Despite this harsh treatment and stern warning not to speak about Jesus, they refused to back down. Now, as they leave the council's presence, instead of being defeated or ashamed, they are filled with joy because they were deemed worthy to suffer for Jesus' name.
Imagine being punished, beaten, and publicly humiliated. Normally, we'd feel deep shame and despair. But the apostles reacted with pure joy! How is that possible?
The apostles found joy not in suffering itself, but in being deemed 'worthy' of it for Jesus' sake. This is a profound paradox: what the world sees as shame and disgrace, they recognized as an honor.
What does it truly mean to suffer 'for the name'? It's more than just a casual mention; it's the core reason behind their defiance and joy.
The phrase 'for the Name' (or 'for His name') isn't just about the syllables of Jesus' name. It represents His entire identity, mission, and authority.
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Understand the original words
synedrion · Greek Noun
The highest judicial and administrative council of the Jews in Jerusalem, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes. It held significant authority in religious and legal matters under Roman oversight.
chairō · Greek Verb
To feel or express great joy or gladness. In the New Testament, this is often a spiritual posture produced by the Holy Spirit, independent of external circumstances.
kataxioō · Greek Verb
To be considered or deemed suitable/fit for a specific purpose or status, often by God's sovereign estimation rather than human standards.
paschō · Greek Verb
To undergo hardship, pain, or mistreatment, often for the sake of the Gospel. It is viewed in the New Testament as a privilege of the believer’s identification with Christ’s suffering.
atimazō · Greek Verb/Noun
Public disgrace, shame, or humiliation. In a biblical context, it refers to the loss of honor before men for the sake of faithfulness to God.
onoma · Greek Noun
In biblical usage, a person's name represents their authority, character, nature, and reputation. To act "for the name" is to act as a representative of Christ’s person and authority.
The apostles' joy in suffering shame for Jesus' name highlights a radical redefinition of honor and disgrace, turning worldly dishonor into heavenly distinction.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christian faith occur in Jerusalem, leading to the formation of the earliest followers of Jesus.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to bold preaching and a rapid increase in the number of believers in Jerusalem.
c. AD 33
Arrest and Release of Peter and John
The apostles Peter and John are arrested by the Jewish authorities for teaching in Jesus' name and are miraculously released.
c. AD 33
The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin
Peter and the other apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, defying their orders not to speak in Jesus' name.
c. AD 33— this verse
The Apostles are Scourged
The Sanhedrin, after deliberating, orders the apostles to be beaten before releasing them.
c. AD 33
Apostles Rejoice After Scourging
Despite the pain and public shame of being beaten, the apostles depart rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to suffer for Jesus' name.
Jesus himself tells his followers to rejoice and be glad when they are reviled and persecuted for his sake, directly echoing the apostles' attitude in Acts 5:41.
Philippians 1:29Paul speaks of believers being granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake, mirroring the apostles' sense of being 'counted worthy' in Acts.
1 Peter 4:13-14Peter encourages believers to rejoice because they share in the sufferings of Christ, stating that if they are insulted for the name of Christ, they are blessed, aligning with the apostles' joy in Acts.
Galatians 6:14Paul declares he will boast only in the cross of Christ, embracing what the world considers shame, which reflects the apostles' transformed perspective on suffering for Jesus' name.
ellicottActs 5:41: "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
(41) Rejoicing that they were counted worthy. —The emotion is probably, in one sense, natural to all who have an intense conviction of the Truth for which they suffer. But in this case there was something more. The Twelve could not fail to remember their Lord’s beatitudes; and now, for the first time, felt that they could “rejoice and be exceeding glad” because…
jfbActs 5:41: "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
- departed … rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name—"thought worthy by God to be dishonored by man" (Mt 5:12; 1Pe 4:14, 16) [Webster and Wilkinson]. This was their first taste of persecution, and it felt sweet for His sake whose disciples they were.
The apostles didn't just endure shame; they saw it as an honor bestowed upon them, a paradox where indignity became dignity. This profound reversal shows their focus was entirely on "the Name" – Jesus Christ – making suffering for Him the highest privilege, not a disgrace.
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested and brought before the high council, threatened, and even beaten. Despite this harsh treatment and stern warning not to speak about Jesus, they refused to back down. Now, as they leave the council's presence, instead of being defeated or ashamed, they are filled with joy because they were deemed worthy to suffer for Jesus' name.
Just moments before, the apostles had been arrested and brought before the high council, threatened, and even beaten. Despite this harsh treatment and stern warning not to speak about Jesus, they refused to back down. Now, as they leave the council's presence, instead of being defeated or ashamed, they are filled with joy because they were deemed worthy to suffer for Jesus' name.
"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." — The apostles didn't just endure shame; they saw it as an honor bestowed upon them, a paradox where indignity became dignity. This profound reversal shows their focus was entirely on "the Name" – Je…
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Last reviewed October 2026