What is the meaning of John 16:3? They will do these things • Jesus has just warned in John 16:2, “They will put you out of the synagogues; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” • “These things” points to tangible acts of opposition—expulsion, slander, even martyrdom—as seen later in Acts 8:1-3 and Acts 12:1-3. • The Lord speaks plainly so His followers can anchor their courage in His foreknowledge, echoing Matthew 5:11-12 where persecution is portrayed as a cause for rejoicing. • By stating this upfront, Jesus removes the element of surprise; hardship will come, yet it remains within God’s sovereign plan (Romans 8:28). because • The word signals causation: hostility has a spiritual root, not merely social or political. • Luke 23:34 records Jesus saying from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” underscoring ignorance as a chief cause of sin. • First Corinthians 2:8 affirms, “None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” • Recognizing the true “because” helps believers respond with grace rather than retaliation (Romans 12:17-21). they have not known • The verb “known” describes personal, relational knowledge, not mere awareness. John 8:19: “You do not know Me or My Father….” • Spiritual blindness keeps people from recognizing God’s character (2 Corinthians 4:4). • Lack of knowledge leads directly to misguided zeal, illustrated by Saul of Tarsus before his conversion (Acts 9:1-2). • This line also clarifies that persecution often flows from ignorance, not informed rejection. the Father • Jesus links rejection of His followers to ignorance of God Himself. John 15:21: “They will treat you like this because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me.” • True knowledge of the Father produces love (1 John 4:7-8); absence of that knowledge produces hatred (John 3:19-20). • The statement underscores the unity between Father and Son; to miss One is to miss Both (John 14:9-10). or Me • Jesus personalizes the indictment: opposition to disciples stems from failure to recognize Him as Messiah. • John 1:10-11 notes, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him.” • Acts 3:17 shows Peter saying, “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders,” linking ignorance of Christ to sinful action. • Knowing Jesus is eternal life (John 17:3); not knowing Him explains hostility toward those who bear His name. summary John 16:3 reveals the root of persecution: ignorance of God the Father and of Jesus Christ. Hostility toward believers is neither random nor unstoppable; it springs from spiritual blindness that fails to recognize God’s character and His Son’s lordship. Understanding this equips Christ’s followers to endure suffering with confidence, compassion, and unwavering trust in the One who foreknew every trial and remains sovereign over all. |
    |