What is the meaning of John 15:21? But they will treat you like this • Jesus has just warned, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). The mistreatment He faced is the pattern believers should expect. • He says “treat you like this,” pointing back to the hostility of verses 18–20. Persecution, slander, exclusion—these are part of following the Master (Matthew 10:24–25; 1 Peter 4:12–14). • Scripture repeatedly prepares us: “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). When opposition comes, it confirms—not contradicts—our identity with Christ. because of My name • The issue is not personality or politics; it is allegiance to Jesus. “You will be hated by everyone because of My name” (Matthew 10:22). • “My name” stands for His authority, character, and exclusive claim: “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). • Early believers were told “stop speaking in this name” (Acts 4:17). Nothing has changed. When we speak and live openly for Christ, we should expect pushback. since they do not know the One who sent Me • Rejection of the Son exposes ignorance of the Father. Jesus earlier declared, “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well” (John 8:19). • Spiritual blindness lies at the root of hostility. Unbelief about God’s character, holiness, and plan produces resistance to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). • Jesus emphasizes that persecution is ultimately against God Himself. Saul learned this when the risen Lord asked, “Why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4). To oppose Christ’s people is to oppose the One who sent Him. summary John 15:21 teaches that followers of Jesus can expect opposition. The world’s mistreatment mirrors what Christ experienced, it centers on our public identification with His name, and it flows from people’s ignorance of the Father who sent Him. Standing firm in that name, we share both His sufferings and His promise of eternal life with the God we now know. |
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