A. Evil plots & persecution against Jesus:

MAT 12:14. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

MAT 26:3. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

MAT 26:4. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

LUK 4:28. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

LUK 4:29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

LUK 6:11. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

LUK 19:47. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

JOH 5:16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

JOH 11:57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

LUK 20:20. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

B. Look to Jesus' example of suffering persecution:

HEB 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

HEB 12:3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

HEB 12:4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

ISA 53:3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

ISA 53:7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

ISA 53:8. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

JOH 15:18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

JOH 15:20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

HEB 13:13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

1PE 2:21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1PE 2:22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1PE 2:23. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1PE 4:1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

C. When persecuting Christians they persecute Jesus:

MAT 25:40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

ACT 9:1. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

ACT 9:2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

ACT 9:3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

ACT 9:4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

ACT 9:5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

ZEC 2:8. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

ACT 5:38. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: