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Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year A

1 Peter 4:13-16

Blessed for the Name of Christ

May 10, 2026

Christ as the Suffering Redeemer, Andrea Mantegna
Christ as the Suffering Redeemer, Andrea Mantegna, about 1495–1500Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
The wounded Christ sits upright on the edge of his tomb, held by two grieving angels, showing his wounds, while the dawn breaks over the hills behind him.But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.Andrea MantegnaThe great painter of the Mantuan court, famous for his hard, sculptural figures and daring foreshortening.Statens Museum for Kunst, CopenhagenStatens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery in Copenhagen.Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:15-21Jn 14:15-21Alt. GospelJohn 17:1-11aJn 17:1-11a
Second Reading1 Pet. 3:15-181 Pt 3:15-18Alt. 2nd Reading1 Pet. 4:13-161 Pt 4:13-16
First ReadingActs 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial PsalmPs. 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)

Overview & Insights

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed.” (1 Peter 4:14)

The paragraph turns suffering into participation, a sharing in Christ’s sufferings now so as to rejoice at the revelation of his glory (v. 13). The beatitude of v. 14 has the shape of Matthew 5:11, and its ground clause, that the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon those reviled for the name, uses the resting verb of Isaiah 11:2. The most historically interesting word in the reading is Christianos (v. 16), which occurs only three times in the New Testament, here and at Acts 11:26 and 26:28, and which appears to have begun as an outsiders’ label, a Latinate formation naming the partisans of a Christus. The writer takes the slur and makes it a title, insisting only that the shame belongs elsewhere: suffering as a murderer or thief is one thing, suffering under that name is not disgrace but occasion to glorify God.

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Commentary

Commentary on 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11Commentary on 1 Pt 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran commentary on rejoicing in shared suffering with Christ, the heart of this reading.

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Commentary1 Pt 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed commentary tagged for this Sunday on suffering as a Christian rather than in shame.

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle A Agape Bible Study

Catholic walkthrough of this Sunday's readings, including Peter's word on bearing the name Christian.

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A Catholic Productions (Dr. Brant Pitre)

Mass Readings Explained episode discussing the significance of the name 'Christian' in this text.

1 Peter 4 Commentary: Serving God in the Last Days1 Pt 4 Commentary: Serving God in the Last Days Enduring Word

Verse-by-verse commentary on the full chapter, including the call to rejoice in suffering as a Christian.

Background & Word Study

Book of 1 Peter SummaryBook of 1 Pt Summary BibleProject

Overview video on 1 Peter's theme of hope and identity amid suffering.

1 Peter 4 Interlinear1 Pt 4 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear useful for the term 'Christian' (Christianos) in verse 16.

The Church Fathers

Catena on 1 Peter 4Catena on 1 Pt 4 Catena Bible

Patristic comments verse by verse on suffering for bearing Christ's name.

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