John 15:21

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

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}.

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

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

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

John 15:21 is part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse to His disciples, delivered shortly before His crucifixion. Following His profound teachings on the Vine and the Branches, where He emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him (John 15:4), Jesus shifts to preparing them for the hostility they would face from the world. This verse directly follows His warning that 'If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you' (John 15:18), establishing persecution as an inevitable consequence of following Him.

Key Themes

  • Persecution for Christ's Name: The primary reason for the world's hostility towards believers is their identification with Jesus. It is not for personal faults, but "for my name's sake" – because they bear His identity and proclaim His truth. This highlights the cost of true discipleship and the unwavering loyalty required, echoing sentiments found in Matthew 10:22.
  • Spiritual Ignorance as the Root Cause: The world's animosity isn't arbitrary; it stems from a fundamental lack of knowledge about God the Father. Those who reject Jesus also reject the One who sent Him, failing to recognize God's love and authority manifested through His Son (John 14:7). Their actions are born of spiritual blindness.
  • Divine Forewarning and Assurance: Jesus' words serve as both a warning and an assurance. He prepares His disciples for future suffering, preventing them from being surprised or discouraged, while simultaneously affirming that their suffering is directly linked to their connection with Him.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "for my name's sake" (Greek: dia to onoma mou) is significant. In biblical thought, a "name" (onoma) represents the entire character, authority, and identity of a person. Thus, persecution "for my name's sake" means persecution for everything Jesus is, stands for, and represents. It signifies opposition to His divine authority, His teachings, and His claim as the Son of God.
  • "They know not him that sent me" (Greek: ouk oidas ton pempanta me) emphasizes a relational ignorance, not just a lack of factual information. It's a failure to recognize and acknowledge God the Father, leading to a rejection of His Son. This deep-seated spiritual blindness is the ultimate reason for their hostility.

Practical Application

  • Understanding Opposition: Believers today can find solace and understanding in this verse when facing opposition, criticism, or even outright persecution. It reminds us that such experiences are not anomalies but were foretold by Jesus as a natural outcome of living for Him in a world that often rejects God.
  • Staying Grounded in Truth: When the world acts hostile, it's crucial to remember the underlying reason: spiritual ignorance of God. This perspective helps believers respond with compassion and prayer for those who persecute, rather than bitterness or despair, knowing they act from a place of spiritual darkness.
  • Embracing Identity in Christ: The verse reinforces the honor of suffering "for Christ's name's sake." It is a badge of honor, signifying true allegiance and participation in the journey Jesus Himself walked. This encourages steadfastness and bold witness, even in challenging circumstances, knowing our identity is found in Christ (Colossians 3:3).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back