John 15:23

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

He that hateth {G3404} me {G1691} hateth {G3404} my {G3450} Father {G3962} also {G2532}.

Whoever hates me hates my Father also.

Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well.

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Commentary

John 15:23 (KJV) states, "He that hateth me hateth my Father also." This powerful declaration from Jesus underscores the profound unity between Himself and God the Father, revealing that rejection of one is inherently rejection of the other.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse to His disciples, recorded in John chapters 13-17. Specifically, it falls within a section where Jesus prepares His followers for the world's hostility towards them, just as it has been hostile towards Him. He explains that the world's hatred is not without cause, but rather because it does not know the Father who sent Him (John 15:21). The preceding verses, particularly John 15:18-22, set the stage by emphasizing that if the world hates them, it hated Jesus first, and that their sin of unbelief is without excuse because they have seen and heard Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Unity and Identity: The core message is the inseparable oneness of Jesus with God the Father. To hate Jesus is to hate the very essence and revelation of God, for Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). This echoes Jesus' earlier statement, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
  • Rejection of Truth and Light: The world's hatred is not merely a personal dislike for Jesus but a profound spiritual antagonism towards the truth and light He embodies. By rejecting Jesus, people are rejecting God's ultimate self-disclosure and His plan of salvation.
  • Accountability for Unbelief: Jesus highlights that those who hate Him and the Father are without excuse because they have witnessed His works and heard His words. Their hatred stems from a deliberate choice to refuse belief and embrace spiritual darkness.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "hateth" is miseō (μισέω), which signifies a strong aversion, active hostility, or deep-seated opposition, not merely a mild dislike. It implies a deliberate and often intense rejection. The term "Father" (Greek: Patēr, Πατήρ) emphasizes the intimate, filial relationship between Jesus and God, reinforcing that the Son perfectly represents the Father's character and will.

Practical Application

For believers, John 15:23 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' divine nature and His inseparable union with the Father. It encourages us to understand that our faith in Jesus is faith in God Himself. For those who face opposition or persecution for their Christian faith, this verse offers solace: the hatred they experience is ultimately directed at Christ and His truth, not necessarily at them personally. It also calls us to consider the seriousness of rejecting Jesus, as it implies a rejection of God. Understanding this profound connection should deepen our reverence and commitment to both the Son and the Father.

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Cross-References

  • John 8:40 (3 votes)

    But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

  • John 8:42 (3 votes)

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

  • 2 John 1:9 (3 votes)

    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

  • 1 John 2:23 (2 votes)

    Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.]