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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 15:18 - 15:25
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_15:18-25
18"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'"
Joh_15:18 "If" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purpose. The world, a fallen human system, hates the followers of Jesus.
▣ "the world" John uses this term in several ways: (1) the planet, as a metaphor for all mankind (cf. Joh_3:16) and (2) as human society organized and functioning apart from God (cf. Joh_10:8; 1Jn_2:15-17). See Special Topic at Joh_14:17.
▣ "hates you" This is a present active indicative; the world continues to hate (cf. Joh_15:20).
▣ "you know" This is a present active imperative. Believers' knowledge of the NT truths will help them face a fallen world's persecution.
▣ "that it has hated Me before it hated you" This is a perfect active indicative. The pronoun "Me" is emphatic (cf. Joh_7:7). This reveals the world's opposition to God, His Messiah, and His people (cf. Joh_17:14; 1Jn_3:13).
Believers are one in Christ's love and one in Christ's persecution (cf. Rom_8:17; 2Co_1:5; 2Co_1:7; Php_3:10; 1Pe_4:13). Identification with Christ brings peace, joy, and persecution, even death!
Joh_15:19 "If" This is a second class conditional sentence which is called "contrary to fact." This should be translated "if you were of the world, which you are not, then the world would love you, but it does not."
Joh_15:20"Remember" This is a present active imperative , like Joh_15:18, or a present active indicative, possibly a question (LB).
▣ "a slave is not greater than his master" When one compares this verse with Joh_13:16, it becomes obvious that Jesus used proverbial sayings in different ways.
▣ "If they persecute Me. . .if they kept My word" These are two first class conditional sentences which are assumed to be true from the author's perspective. The term "persecuted" means to pursue as a wild animal. Persecution is the norm for followers of Christ in a fallen world (Mat_5:10-12; Joh_16:1-3; Joh_17:14; Act_14:22; Rom_5:3-4; Rom_8:17; 2Co_4:16-18; 2Co_6:3-10; 2Co_11:23-30; Php_1:29; 1Th_3:3; 2Ti_3:12; Jas_1:2-4; 1Pe_4:12-16).
However, notice that although some will reject the Apostles' words and even persecute them, there will be others who will hear and respond! They themselves are proof of this reality!
Joh_15:21 "they do not know the One who has sent me" This obviously refers to the Father. It implies that the Jews as well as Gentiles do not know God. "Know" is used in its Semitic (OT) sense of personal relationship (cf. Gen_4:1; Jer_1:5). The lost world persecuted believers because (1) they belong to Jesus, who they also persecuted and (2) they do not know God!
Joh_15:22 "If I had not come" This is another second class conditional sentence, which means "contrary to fact." It should be translated "If I had not come back and spoken to them, which I did, then they would not have sin, which they do." Responsibility is related to knowledge (see hyperlink at Joh_5:21). In this context the fruitless branches (i.e., Judas and the Jews) had great opportunity for knowledge, much more than those who only had natural revelation (i.e., Gentiles, cf. Psa_19:1-6; Rom_1:18-20 or Joh_2:14-15).
Joh_15:23 The continual opposition to Jesus is continual opposition to God (cf. Joh_15:24).
Joh_15:24 "If" This is another second class conditional sentence which means "contrary to fact." It should be translated "If I had not done the works among them which no one else did (but which I did), then they would not have sin, which they do."
Light brings responsibility (cf. Joh_1:5; Joh_8:12; Joh_12:35; Joh_12:46; 1Jn_1:5; 1Jn_2:8-9; 1Jn_2:11; Mat_6:23).
▣ "they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well" These are both perfect active indicatives which show a settled attitude. To reject Jesus is to reject the Father (cf. 1Jn_5:9-13).
Joh_15:25 It is surprising that the term "Law" or "Torah" is used to describe a quote from Psa_35:19; Psa_69:4. Usually the term is used of the writings of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.
The mystery of the Jewish rejection of Jesus in the face of such obvious revelation was attributed to willful unbelief (cf. Isa_6:9-13; Jer_5:21; Rom_3:9-18).