John 16:2

KJV

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall put {G4160} you {G5209} out of the synagogues {G656}: yea {G235}, the time {G5610} cometh {G2064}, that {G2443} whosoever {G3956} killeth {G615} you {G5209} will think {G1380} that he doeth {G4374} God {G2316} service {G2999}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will ban you from the synagogue; in fact, the time will come when anyone who kills you will think he is serving God!

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 16:2, Jesus delivers a sobering prophecy to His disciples, warning them of the severe persecution they will endure for their faith. He reveals that they will face social and religious ostracism, being expelled from synagogues, and even martyrdom at the hands of those who, in their misguided zeal, will genuinely believe they are performing a righteous service to God. This stark forewarning prepares the disciples for the profound hostility they will encounter, ensuring they are not surprised or disheartened when these trials inevitably begin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse, spanning [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Jesus' Teachings") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Immediately preceding [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution"), Jesus emphasizes the world's hatred for His followers, stating, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you" ([John 15:18](/john/15-18 "John 15:18 - The World Hates Jesus")). He has just spoken about the necessity of His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Holy Spirit Will Come")). The warnings about persecution, including excommunication and death, serve to prepare the disciples for the harsh realities of their mission, preventing them from being "offended" or stumbling in their faith when the promised trials arrive ([John 16:1](/john/16-1 "John 16:1 - Jesus Warns of Persecution")). This discourse aims to equip them emotionally, spiritually, and theologically for the challenges of establishing the early church.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish synagogue was not merely a place of worship but the central hub of community life, serving as a school, a court, a social gathering place, and a center for charitable activities. Expulsion from the synagogue, or *aposynagogos*, was a severe form of social and religious ostracism, effectively cutting off an individual from their family, friends, livelihood, and cultural identity. This practice had roots in the Jewish community's efforts to maintain religious purity and control dissent, particularly as the nascent Christian movement began to challenge established Jewish traditions. For Jewish believers in Jesus, being "put out of the synagogues" meant losing their standing, their social safety net, and often facing economic hardship and familial rejection. The prophecy of being killed for their faith also reflects the historical reality of religious persecution, where zealots or authorities might believe they were upholding divine law by eliminating perceived heretics or blasphemers.

* **Key Themes:** [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Persecution and Suffering for Christ**, a recurring motif throughout Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Farewell Discourse. Jesus consistently prepares His disciples for the reality that following Him will involve opposition, just as He himself faced hostility and ultimately crucifixion ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Servants Not Greater Than Master")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Misguided Religious Zeal**, illustrating how deeply entrenched religious beliefs, when not illuminated by divine truth and love, can lead to extreme acts of violence, even under the guise of "service to God." This theme is powerfully exemplified in the life of Saul of Tarsus, who, before his conversion, actively persecuted Christians, believing he was [doing God's will](/acts/26-9 "Acts 26:9 - Saul's Persecution"). Finally, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereign Control**, demonstrating Jesus' complete awareness of future events, which serves to comfort and strengthen His followers by assuring them that their trials are not random but part of a foreseen divine plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dokéō (Greek, _dokéō'_):** This word, translated as "will think," signifies to hold an opinion, to seem, or to suppose. In this context, it highlights the subjective belief or perception of the persecutors. It's not that they *know* they are doing God's service, but rather they *think* or *suppose* they are, indicating a profound self-deception or misguided conviction. This underscores the tragic irony of their actions.
* **apokteínō (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** Meaning "to kill outright" or "to destroy," this verb emphasizes the extreme and final nature of the persecution Jesus foretells. It leaves no ambiguity about the ultimate consequence some of His followers would face. The use of this strong verb highlights the gravity of the impending suffering and the depth of the world's hatred.
* **latreía (Greek, _latreía'_):** Translated as "service" in the phrase "doeth God service," this term specifically refers to religious service, worship, or devotion to God. Jesus' use of this word here is deeply ironic, as the act of killing innocent people is fundamentally antithetical to the true worship and character of God. It exposes a perversion of genuine devotion, where outward acts are divorced from the inner spirit of love and truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall put you out of the synagogues:"** This clause predicts the formal expulsion of Jesus' followers from the Jewish religious and social community. It signifies a profound act of ostracism, stripping believers of their communal identity, access to religious life, and social support. For early Jewish Christians, this was a devastating blow, isolating them from family and friends and marking them as outcasts.
* **"yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."** This second, more chilling, clause escalates the warning from social exclusion to physical violence and martyrdom. The phrase "the time cometh" emphasizes the certainty and imminence of this extreme persecution. The most disturbing aspect is the motivation attributed to the persecutors: they will genuinely believe their acts of murder are righteous deeds, a form of "service" or "worship" offered to God. This reveals a dangerous level of religious delusion and fanaticism.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") to convey the gravity of His warning. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus explicitly predicts future events—excommunication and martyrdom—that will befall His disciples. This serves to prepare them psychologically for the trials ahead, so they are not caught off guard and lose faith. The most striking device is **Irony**, particularly in the phrase "will think that he doeth God service." This is a profound example of dramatic irony, where the audience (and the disciples, once they understand) knows the tragic truth that killing God's people is the antithesis of serving God, while the perpetrators remain deluded. This highlights the deep spiritual blindness of those who oppose Christ. There is also an element of **Stark Warning**, as Jesus' words are direct and unvarnished, presenting the harsh reality without softening the blow, underscoring the severe nature of the coming persecution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") profoundly shapes our understanding of the nature of Christian discipleship and the world's response to divine truth. It reveals that following Christ often entails suffering and opposition, not because of wrongdoing, but precisely *because* of one's allegiance to Him. This suffering is not arbitrary; it is foreknown by God and serves to purify faith and bear witness to Christ. The verse also exposes the dangerous potential for religious zeal to become distorted, leading individuals to commit heinous acts under the mistaken belief of divine sanction. This calls believers to a discerning faith, rooted in love and truth, rather than blind fanaticism, and to understand that true service to God is characterized by love, justice, and mercy, not violence or hatred.

* [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Hated for Christ's Name")
* [Acts 7:58-60](/acts/7-58-60 "Acts 7:58-60 - The Stoning of Stephen")
* [Romans 10:2-3](/romans/10-2-3 "Romans 10:2-3 - Zeal Without Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") remains remarkably relevant for believers today, even in contexts where physical persecution is less common. It reminds us that opposition to Christ and His followers is an enduring reality, manifesting in various forms, from social marginalization and ridicule to professional discrimination and, in some parts of the world, violent martyrdom. This forewarning from Jesus serves not to instill fear, but to fortify our faith, helping us to remain steadfast when faced with hostility. Knowing that Jesus Himself predicted these trials allows us to view them not as anomalies, but as part of the expected path of discipleship. Furthermore, the verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: are our actions truly motivated by love and a clear understanding of God's character, or by a misguided zeal that could lead to harm or judgment of others? It calls us to embody Christ's love even towards those who oppose us, remembering that many persecutors act out of ignorance or distorted belief, and are themselves in need of the very grace they deny others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' forewarning of persecution in [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") prepare and strengthen your faith in the face of contemporary challenges or opposition?**
* **In what ways might "doing God service" be misinterpreted or distorted in today's world, leading to unloving or harmful actions?**
* **How can believers cultivate a discerning faith that avoids misguided zeal and instead reflects the true character of God's love and truth?**
* **Considering that some persecutors believe they are serving God, how should Christians respond to those who oppose them, especially in light of Jesus' command to love enemies?**

### FAQ
**What does "put you out of the synagogues" mean in the context of early Christianity?**

Answer: "Put you out of the synagogues" (Greek: *aposynagogos*) refers to a formal excommunication or expulsion from the Jewish community. For early Jewish believers in Jesus, the synagogue was the center of social, religious, and cultural life. Being cast out meant losing one's standing, social connections, access to communal support, and often facing economic hardship and familial rejection. It was a severe form of ostracism that aimed to isolate and punish those who confessed Jesus as the Messiah, effectively separating the nascent Christian movement from its Jewish roots. This practice is also mentioned in [John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Blind Man's Parents Fear Excommunication") and [John 12:42](/john/12-42 "John 12:42 - Many Believe, But Do Not Confess").

**How could someone "think that he doeth God service" by killing others?**

Answer: This phrase highlights a dangerous form of misguided religious zeal. In history, and even today, individuals or groups can become so convinced of their own righteousness and interpretation of divine will that they believe extreme measures, including violence against perceived enemies of God or heretics, are acts of devotion. They may genuinely believe they are purifying the faith, upholding divine law, or bringing glory to God through such actions. This mindset often stems from a distorted understanding of God's character, a lack of love, and an absence of the Holy Spirit's guidance, as seen in the pre-conversion life of [Saul of Tarsus](/acts/8-1-3 "Acts 8:1-3 - Saul Persecutes the Church"), who "made havoc of the church" ([Acts 8:3](/acts/8-3 "Acts 8:3 - Saul's Persecution")) believing he was serving God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - Jesus Foretells Persecution") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the suffering of His followers but, more profoundly, in Jesus' own experience and His redemptive work. Jesus Himself was "put out" and ultimately killed by those who believed they were doing God's service, fulfilling the very pattern He describes for His disciples. His crucifixion, orchestrated by religious leaders who saw Him as a blasphemer and a threat to their traditions ([John 19:7](/john/19-7 "John 19:7 - Jesus Claims to be Son of God")), perfectly embodies the misguided zeal mentioned in this verse. However, Christ's suffering was not in vain; it was the ultimate act of obedience and love, leading to the atonement for sin and the defeat of death. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant, establishing a community no longer bound by the synagogue but by faith in Him. His foreknowledge of persecution, as revealed in this verse, also assures believers that their suffering is not arbitrary but is part of a divine plan, echoing the suffering of their Lord. Moreover, the promise of the Holy Spirit, mentioned immediately after this warning ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Holy Spirit Will Come")), ensures that believers are not left to face this hostility alone, but are empowered by Christ's presence to endure and bear witness, even unto death, thereby participating in His ongoing mission to redeem a world that often rejects Him.

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

John 9:22

These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

Acts 26:9

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts 26:11

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Acts 22:3

¶ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 22:4

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.