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In this lesson:
Jesus concludes the second farewell discourse. The world will hate you (15:18-25). Miracles are the evidence of Jesus' divinity. Jesus predicts persecution (6:1-4). As in lesson 202, every word in this passage is Jesus speaking. Study Tip: To help understand a verse, put it in your own words. The extra time and thought helps you get more meaning from each passage. |
By the German artist Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911).
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The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 15:18-16:4
A warning 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 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. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. John: 16:1-4 The warnings continue 1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. |
Margin notes:
"If the world hate you." (15:18) - Don't be surprised if the world hates you for your faith (1 John 3:13), instead be happy (1 Peter 4:14). Persecution is to be expected (2 Timothy 3:12). "The world would love his own." (15:19) - "The world would love you as one of its own." "The servant is not greater than his lord." (15:20) - Jesus repeated this message often (John 13:16, Matthew 10:24, and Luke 6:40). "If they have kept my saying." (15:20) - Means, "if they had obeyed my message." "Now they have no cloak for their sin." (15:22) - "Now they have no cover (excuse) for their sin." "They hated me without a cause." (15:25) - Just as King David wrote centuries earlier in Psalms 35:19 and 69:4. "But when the Comforter is come." (15:26) - The Comforter is the Holy Ghost (14:26). "That ye should not be offended." (16:1) - "That you would not give up (your faith)." "They shall put you out of the synagogues." (16:2) - See John 9:22. "The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." (16:2) - "The time will come when people will think that killing you is doing God's work." How confused can Satan make people? |
New Living Translation
John 15:18-16:4
The World's Hatred
18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
20 Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me.
22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.
24 If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.
25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: 'They hated me without cause.'
26 "But I will send you the Advocate-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.
27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
John 16:1-4
1 I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.
2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
3 This is because they have never known the Father or me.
4 Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The World's Hatred
18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
20 Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me.
22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.
24 If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.
25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: 'They hated me without cause.'
26 "But I will send you the Advocate-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.
27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
John 16:1-4
1 I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.
2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
3 This is because they have never known the Father or me.
4 Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (15:20)
"He that hateth me hateth my Father also." (15:23)
"He that hateth me hateth my Father also." (15:23)
Today's Question:
1. What does Jesus mean by "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin"? (15:22)
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1. What does Jesus mean by "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin"? (15:22)
Did someone forward this lesson to you? Sign up today to receive them free. ed.g@thefreebiblelessonscenter.com
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus "did not mean that if He had not come, they would have been sinless. But, His coming incited the severest and most deadly sin, that of rejecting and rebelling against God and His truth. It was the decisive sin of rejection, the deliberate and fatal choice of darkness over light and death over life of which He spoke. He had done so many miracles and spoken innumerable words to prove He was Messiah and Son of God, but they were belligerent in their love of sin and rejection of the Savior."
("The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; page 1409)
Application thought for the day:
The world doesn't want to hear that it's sinful.
It rejects anyone whose words or lifestyle don't conform to it.
Be prepared to face persecution but also be ready to see a great final reward.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke