John 16:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} these things {G5023} will they do {G4160} unto you {G5213}, because {G3754} they have {G1097} not {G3756} known {G1097} the Father {G3962}, nor {G3761} me {G1691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will do these things because they have understood neither the Father nor me.

Berean Standard Bible

They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this pivotal verse from Jesus' Farewell Discourse, John 16:3, Jesus elucidates the profound spiritual ignorance that undergirds the intense persecution His disciples will endure. He reveals that the hostile actions of those who oppose them—including expulsion from synagogues and even martyrdom—stem not from a mere misunderstanding, but from a fundamental lack of experiential knowledge of both God the Father and of Jesus Himself. This forewarning serves to prepare and strengthen His followers, providing divine insight into the spiritual battle they are called to face.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 16:3 is embedded within Jesus' extensive "Farewell Discourse" (John 13-17), a deeply intimate and instructive conversation with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. Specifically, it follows Jesus' explicit warnings in [John 16:1-2](/john/16-1-2 "John 16:1-2 - Jesus Warns of Persecution") that His followers would face severe opposition, including being "put out of the synagogues" and even killed, with their persecutors believing they are "doing God service." Verse 3 provides the theological rationale for such extreme hostility, linking the persecutors' actions directly to their spiritual blindness. This immediate context establishes the gravity of the coming trials and Jesus' compassionate foresight in preparing His disciples for them, ensuring they would not "stumble" or be "offended" when these events transpired. The discourse consistently prepares the disciples for life after Jesus' physical departure, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit and the nature of their ongoing mission in a hostile world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The persecution Jesus describes was not hypothetical but a looming reality for His Jewish disciples. Expulsion from the synagogue (herem) was a severe social and religious ostracization, effectively cutting individuals off from their community, family, and religious life. This was a common tactic employed by the Jewish religious authorities against those who confessed Jesus as the Messiah, as seen in [John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Blind Man's Parents Fear Synagogue Expulsion"). The threat of being killed for one's faith was also a real danger, foreshadowing events like the martyrdom of Stephen ([Acts 7:54-60](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - The Stoning of Stephen")) and James ([Acts 12:1-2](/acts/12-1-2 "Acts 12:1-2 - Martyrdom of James")). The persecutors, often zealous for what they believed was the purity of their tradition and the honor of God, genuinely thought they were serving God by eliminating what they perceived as heresy or blasphemy. This highlights a tragic irony: their actions, intended to honor God, were in fact a demonstration of their profound ignorance of God's true nature and His Son.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Persecution and the World's Hatred**, explaining that opposition to believers is not arbitrary but rooted in spiritual ignorance. The world's animosity towards Jesus' followers is an extension of its hatred for Jesus Himself, as articulated in [John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World Hates Jesus' Disciples"). Secondly, it underscores the **Unity and Inseparable Nature of the Father and the Son**. Jesus' statement, "they have not known the Father, nor me," inextricably links the knowledge of the Father with the knowledge of the Son, a central Johannine Christological theme (e.g., [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One")). To reject Jesus is to reject God, and vice-versa. Thirdly, the verse highlights Jesus' **Divine Foreknowledge and Pastoral Care**. By revealing the underlying cause of future suffering, Jesus provides His disciples with a framework for understanding their trials, offering comfort and preventing them from stumbling. This prophetic insight demonstrates His sovereign control and deep care for His own, preparing them to endure with faith and understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **do (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb, G4160, is a broad term meaning "to make or do" in a very wide application. In this context, it refers to the active, hostile deeds of persecution that the world would inflict upon Jesus' disciples. It encompasses a range of actions, from excommunication to physical violence and even death, emphasizing the concrete and severe nature of the opposition.
* **known (Greek, _ginōskō'_):** G1097, this word signifies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it denotes a deep, experiential, and personal knowledge or relationship. The persecutors' problem is not simply a lack of factual information about God or Jesus, but a profound absence of a saving, transformative relationship with them. Their actions are a direct consequence of this spiritual blindness and alienation.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** G3962, this term refers to God as the "father" in a literal or figurative sense. In this verse, it emphasizes God's unique relationship with Jesus and, by extension, with believers. The persecutors' failure to "know" the Father means they do not understand His character, His will, or His redemptive plan, which is fully revealed in Jesus. Their actions against Jesus' followers are thus an offense against God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these things will they do unto you":** This clause directly refers to the severe persecutions Jesus has just warned about in [John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - They Will Kill You"). The phrase "these things" (Greek, _taûta_) explicitly links the actions to the prior context, signifying the concrete and hostile deeds—such as excommunication from the synagogue and even murder—that the world would inflict upon Jesus' followers. The active verb "will they do" (Greek, _poiéō_) underscores the certainty and severity of the coming opposition, emphasizing that it will be a deliberate and harmful act directed specifically "unto you," the disciples.
* **"because they have not known the Father, nor me":** This crucial clause provides the underlying reason and spiritual diagnosis for the world's hostility. The conjunction "because" (Greek, _hóti_) introduces the causal explanation. The core issue is a fundamental lack of "known" (Greek, _ginōskō_), which implies not just intellectual understanding, but a deep, personal, and experiential relationship. Those who persecute do so out of a profound spiritual ignorance; they do not genuinely recognize, relate to, or understand the true nature of God the Father, nor do they comprehend or acknowledge Jesus' divine identity and mission. This spiritual blindness is the root cause of their animosity, making their actions a tragic manifestation of their alienation from the divine truth. The phrase "nor me" (Greek, _oudé emé_) powerfully links the knowledge of the Father with the knowledge of Jesus, reinforcing the inseparable unity between them.

#### Literary Devices
John 16:3 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus explicitly predicts the future persecution of His disciples, preparing them mentally and spiritually for trials to come. This serves as a form of pastoral care, allowing them to understand the nature of their suffering rather than being caught off guard. There is also a profound **Irony** at play: those who claim to be zealous for God and believe they are "doing God service" ([John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - They Will Kill You")) are, in fact, demonstrating their complete ignorance of God and His Son. Their actions, intended to honor God, are the very antithesis of His will. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by highlighting the stark difference between the disciples, who have come to know the Father through Jesus, and the world, which remains in spiritual darkness. This contrast underscores the exclusive nature of the true knowledge of God, accessible only through Christ. Finally, the repetition of the concept of "knowing" (or not knowing) the Father and Jesus throughout John's Gospel serves as a form of **Thematic Emphasis**, reinforcing the central importance of this experiential knowledge for eternal life and true relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 16:3 profoundly articulates that the world's hostility towards Christ's followers is not merely a social or political phenomenon, but a deeply spiritual one, rooted in a fundamental ignorance of God. This ignorance is not passive but actively manifests in opposition to God's revealed truth in Jesus Christ. The verse underscores the inseparable unity of the Father and the Son, asserting that true knowledge of one necessitates true knowledge of the other. Consequently, rejection of Jesus is inherently a rejection of God the Father. This theological truth provides believers with a crucial framework for understanding suffering for their faith: it is a direct consequence of their identification with Christ and a testament to the world's spiritual blindness, rather than a sign of their own failure or God's abandonment.

* [John 15:21](/john/15-21 "John 15:21 - Persecution for Jesus' Name")
* [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")
* [1 John 3:1](/1_john/3-1 "1 John 3:1 - The World Does Not Know Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 16:3 offers profound insights for contemporary believers facing various forms of opposition or misunderstanding for their faith. It reminds us that such experiences are not anomalies but align with Jesus' explicit predictions. When we encounter hostility, ridicule, or even ostracism because of our commitment to Christ, this verse provides a crucial interpretive lens: the root cause is often a spiritual void, a lack of genuine, experiential knowledge of God and His Son. This understanding can transform our response from bitterness or confusion to compassion and prayer for those who oppose us, recognizing their spiritual blindness. It also serves as a powerful validation of our faith; our suffering is not random but is directly tied to our identification with Christ, confirming that we are truly His. This should fortify our resolve, knowing that our trials are part of a larger spiritual narrative and that our witness, even in suffering, can point others to the very knowledge of God they lack. Ultimately, the verse compels us to deepen our own "knowing" of the Father and the Son, ensuring our faith is rooted in an authentic, transformative relationship that empowers us to endure and to love even our adversaries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the spiritual root of opposition (ignorance of God) change your perspective on those who oppose your faith?**
* **In what ways does Jesus' foreknowledge of persecution provide comfort and strength for believers today?**
* **What does "knowing" the Father and Jesus experientially mean for your daily life and walk with God?**
* **How might your response to opposition be different if you view it as an opportunity to reveal the "known" God to those who are spiritually blind?**

### FAQ
**Why do people persecute believers if they are supposedly doing God's service?**

Answer: Jesus explains that those who persecute His followers, even believing they are serving God ([John 16:2](/john/16-2 "John 16:2 - They Will Kill You")), do so because they "have not known the Father, nor me." This "not knowing" (Greek, _ginōskō_) is not merely a lack of information, but a profound absence of a personal, experiential relationship with God. They operate from a distorted understanding of God's will and character, often driven by religious zeal that is devoid of true spiritual insight. Their actions, though religiously motivated, are a tragic manifestation of their spiritual blindness and alienation from the very God they claim to serve. They fail to recognize God's true nature as revealed in Jesus Christ, and thus, their service is misguided and contrary to His heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 16:3, though a warning about future persecution, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the disciples' suffering but in the very person and work of Jesus Himself. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father, declaring, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")). The world's failure to "know the Father, nor me" is precisely why it rejected and crucified Jesus, the Son of God. His suffering and death on the cross were the ultimate acts of persecution by those who were spiritually blind, yet these acts paradoxically became the means of salvation for all who would come to "know" Him and the Father through faith. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, willingly endured the hatred and ignorance of the world, fulfilling prophecies of a suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")), so that through His sacrifice, humanity might gain true knowledge of God and eternal life ([John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")). Thus, the persecution of His followers is a continuation of the world's rejection of Christ, but it is also a participation in His suffering and a testament to the ongoing spiritual battle that He has already decisively won through His resurrection and ascension.

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 15:21

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

John 17:25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

John 8:55

Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

2 Thessalonians 1:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

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.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.