χαίρετε (chairete) in Matthew 5:12: Verb Second Person Plural Present Active Imperative

Verb: the form names an action or state and functions as a verbal form in its clause.

Present: often views the action as in progress, customary, or presently in view. Context decides the exact force.

Active: presents the subject as carrying out the action.

Imperative: presents the verbal idea as a command or directive.

Second person: the form directly addresses the hearers.

Not applicable: this finite verb form is not using noun case to mark its clause role.

Plural: the number should be read from this occurrence, not generalized beyond the clause.

Not applicable: this finite verb form does not use grammatical gender.

Jesus' hearers

Jesus' command in Matthew 5:12

Commands Jesus' hearers to rejoice in view of the promised reward.

Do not detach the command from the persecution context and the reward reason.

High: The verb gives Jesus' first command in Matthew 5:12.

Present active imperative. commands the hearers to rejoice. Attached to Jesus' hearers. Governed by Jesus' command in Matthew 5:12. Read with rejoice and be glad.

How does Jesus command his hearers to respond? Rejoice.

Direct: The form directly supports rejoice.

This occurrence must be read within rejoice and be glad, not as a standalone word study.

The witness reads χαίρετε in Matthew 5:12.

The lemma χαίρω carries the gloss "I rejoice, am glad", and here it names rejoicing or being glad.

The imperative directly addresses the hearers after the hostility described in Matthew 5:11.

Jesus commands rejoicing because the reward in heaven is great.

The form turns persecution into a response shaped by promised reward rather than despair.

Use it to connect rejoicing to Jesus' stated reason, not to denial of suffering.

Do not use the imperative to minimize pain or command shallow cheerfulness apart from Jesus' promise.