John 15:21

KJV

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} all {G3956} these things {G5023} will they do {G4160} unto you {G5213} for {G1223} my {G3450} name's {G3686} sake {G3450}, because {G3754} they know {G1492} not {G3756} him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they will do all this to you on my account, because they don’t know the One who sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.

American Standard Version

But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 15:21, part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse, serves as a solemn warning and profound explanation to His disciples regarding the inevitable persecution they will face. Jesus reveals that the world's hostility towards them, manifested in various forms of suffering and opposition, will be primarily "for my name's sake." This animosity, He clarifies, is not arbitrary but stems from a fundamental spiritual ignorance: the world's failure to truly know and acknowledge God the Father, who sent Jesus into the world. Thus, the verse frames Christian suffering not as an unfortunate accident, but as a direct consequence of bearing Christ's identity and a symptom of humanity's rejection of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 15:21 is situated within Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), delivered to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. This particular verse immediately follows Jesus' explicit warnings about the world's hatred (John 15:18-20), where He states, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). He emphasizes that disciples are not greater than their Master, and if He was persecuted, they too would be (John 15:20). The discourse transitions from themes of abiding in Christ and mutual love among believers (John 15:1-17) to the harsh realities of external opposition. This verse, along with the preceding ones, prepares the disciples psychologically and spiritually for the trials ahead, setting the stage for further explanations about the Holy Spirit's role in their witness amidst persecution (John 16:1-4).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this verse includes the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, as well as the broader Roman political climate. While direct Roman persecution of Christians had not yet begun at this point, the seeds of conflict were evident. Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, saw Jesus as a threat to their religious authority and social order. The concept of "name" (Gk. _onoma_) in the ancient world, especially in Semitic thought, was far more profound than a mere label; it encapsulated a person's character, authority, reputation, and very essence. To act "for someone's name's sake" meant to act on their behalf, in their authority, or because of their identity. Thus, persecution "for my name's sake" implies suffering directly linked to one's allegiance to and identification with Jesus' person and mission, which challenged the prevailing religious and societal norms.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within John's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Persecution and Suffering for Christ**, establishing it as an expected and even inevitable aspect of discipleship, rather than an anomaly. This is a recurring motif, also seen in passages like [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Hated for Jesus' Name") and [1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12-16 "1 Peter 4:12-16 - Suffering for Christ"). Secondly, it highlights **Spiritual Ignorance and Blindness** as the root cause of hostility. The world's rejection of Jesus and His followers is not merely a moral failing but a profound spiritual inability to recognize God, who sent Him. This echoes Jesus' earlier statements about the world not knowing the Father (e.g., [John 8:19](/john/8-19 "John 8:19 - Not Knowing Jesus or the Father")). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Divine Forewarning and Assurance**. By explicitly telling His disciples what to expect, Jesus prepares them, preventing surprise and despair, and simultaneously assures them that their suffering is intrinsically linked to their faithful witness, making it meaningful and purposeful.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _allá'_):** This conjunction introduces a strong contrast or opposition. In this context, it signals a shift from the comforting themes of abiding and love to the harsh reality of external hostility. It sets up a stark dichotomy between the internal life of the believing community and the external antagonism of the world.
* **name's (Greek, _ónoma'_):** Deriving from a root related to knowing, "name" here signifies the full character, authority, and identity of Jesus. To suffer "for my name's sake" means to suffer because of who Jesus is, what He represents, His divine authority, His teachings, and the very essence of His being. It's not merely a label, but the sum total of His person and mission.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often translated as "to see" (literally or figuratively), implies a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual acquaintance. In the perfect tense, as used here, it means "to have come to know," or "to be aware." The negative "know not" (οὐκ οἴδασιν) therefore points to a profound, fundamental lack of recognition and relationship with God the Father, leading to a rejection of His Son. It signifies spiritual blindness and an unwillingness to acknowledge the divine truth revealed in Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,"**: This clause serves as a direct and sobering prophecy from Jesus to His disciples. The "these things" refers to the various forms of hatred, persecution, and opposition that Jesus has just described (John 15:18-20). The phrase "for my name's sake" is crucial, indicating that the primary motivation for the world's hostility is not the disciples' personal failings, but their identification with Jesus, their allegiance to Him, and their proclamation of His truth. Their suffering is a direct consequence of bearing His identity and representing His kingdom in a world that rejects Him.
* **"because they know not him that sent me."**: This second clause provides the foundational reason for the world's animosity. The world's hatred of Jesus and His followers is rooted in a profound spiritual ignorance – a failure to truly know, acknowledge, and recognize God the Father, who is the ultimate source of all authority and truth, and who sent Jesus into the world as His perfect revelation. This "not knowing" is not merely a lack of information but a willful blindness and rejection of divine truth, which inevitably leads to hostility towards those who embody and proclaim that truth.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several significant literary devices in John 15:21. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus explicitly warns His disciples of future persecution, preparing them for the trials they will inevitably face. This serves to prevent discouragement and surprise, framing their suffering within God's sovereign plan. There is also a clear **Contrast** established between the world's hatred and the disciples' love for one another (John 15:12, 17), highlighting the spiritual divide. The phrase "for my name's sake" is an example of **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire person, character, authority, and mission of Jesus. This emphasizes that the persecution is directed at Jesus Himself, through His followers. Finally, the verse uses **Causal Explanation**, providing a clear reason ("because they know not him that sent me") for the world's hostility, linking external opposition to internal spiritual ignorance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 15:21 profoundly connects the suffering of believers to the very nature of God's revelation and humanity's response to it. It teaches that persecution is not an accident but an expected outcome for those who bear the name of Christ in a world that fundamentally rejects the Father who sent Him. This rejection is rooted in spiritual blindness, a failure to recognize divine truth and love. Thus, Christian suffering becomes a participation in Christ's own suffering and a testament to the world's ongoing rebellion against God. It elevates the experience of persecution from mere hardship to a meaningful act of witness and identification with the divine mission.

* [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10-12 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are the Persecuted")
* [1 John 3:13](/1_john/3-13 "1 John 3:13 - Do Not Marvel if the World Hates You")
* [Acts 4:18-20](/acts/4-18-20 "Acts 4:18-20 - Peter and John's Bold Witness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound solace and clarity for believers navigating a world often hostile to their faith. It reminds us that opposition, criticism, or even outright persecution are not signs of our failure or God's abandonment, but rather an expected consequence of our allegiance to Christ. When we face such trials, we can find strength in knowing that our suffering is "for His name's sake," a badge of honor that signifies our true identity and participation in His mission. This understanding should foster a spirit of resilience and compassion, enabling us to pray for those who persecute us, recognizing their actions stem from a deep spiritual ignorance of God. Instead of bitterness, we are called to steadfastness, continuing to bear witness to the truth in love, knowing that our ultimate vindication rests with the One who sent Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the world's spiritual ignorance (not knowing God) change your perspective on opposition to your faith?**
* **In what ways do you experience "suffering for Christ's name's sake" in your daily life?**
* **How can this verse encourage you to remain steadfast and compassionate, even when facing hostility?**

### FAQ

**What does "for my name's sake" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In biblical thought, a "name" represents the entire character, authority, and identity of a person. Therefore, "for my name's sake" means that the persecution or suffering experienced by believers is not for their own personal faults or actions, but directly because of their identification with Jesus Christ – because of who He is, what He stands for, His teachings, His divine authority, and their allegiance to Him. It signifies that the world's hatred is fundamentally directed at Jesus Himself, through His followers. This concept is echoed in other New Testament passages, such as when Peter and John rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 15:21 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus' prophetic warning but also in His own experience and ultimate victory. Jesus Himself was the first to suffer "for the Father's name's sake," enduring the ultimate rejection and crucifixion because the world "knew not him that sent me." His suffering was the paradigm for all future Christian persecution, demonstrating that true faithfulness to God often incurs the world's wrath. However, His resurrection and ascension transform this suffering into a path of glory. When believers suffer "for my name's sake," they are not merely enduring hardship but are actively participating in the ongoing mission of Christ, filling up "what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body" (Colossians 1:24). Their suffering becomes a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel, echoing the very path Jesus walked (Philippians 3:10), and ultimately pointing to the One who conquered sin and death, ensuring that those who bear His name will also share in His eternal triumph (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:22

And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

John 16:3

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

John 8:19

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Matthew 10:18

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Matthew 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Luke 6:22

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.