John 17:14

KJV

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

KJV (with Strong's)

I {G1473} have given {G1325} them {G846} thy {G4675} word {G3056}; and {G2532} the world {G2889} hath hated {G3404} them {G846}, because {G3754} they are {G1526} not {G3756} of {G1537} the world {G2889}, even as {G2531} I {G1473} am {G1510} not {G3756} of {G1537} the world {G2889}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“I have given them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world.

Berean Standard Bible

I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

American Standard Version

I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this poignant moment of His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus intercedes for His disciples, affirming that He has bestowed upon them the Father's divine revelation. He then highlights the inevitable consequence of their allegiance to this truth: the world's profound hatred. This animosity stems from their distinct identity, for they, like Jesus Himself, are not aligned with the values, systems, and spirit of the fallen world, setting them apart and marking them for opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 17 records Jesus' profound "High Priestly Prayer" offered to His Father just hours before His crucifixion. It immediately follows the extended Farewell Discourse (John 13-16), where Jesus has prepared His disciples for His departure, warned them of future persecution, and promised the Holy Spirit. Chapter 17 is structured around three petitions: for Himself (vv. 1-5), for His immediate disciples (vv. 6-19), and for all future believers (vv. 20-26). Verse 14 falls squarely within the prayer for His disciples, emphasizing their unique position in the world due to their reception of God's word and their subsequent alienation from the world's prevailing ethos. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, linking the disciples' reception of divine truth to the inevitable conflict they will face.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is first-century Judea, a land under Roman occupation, where Jewish religious and cultural norms intersected with Greco-Roman influences. Jesus' followers, initially a Jewish sect, would soon face opposition not only from the established Jewish religious authorities who rejected Jesus as Messiah but also from the broader pagan Roman world. The Roman Empire, while generally tolerant of diverse religions, demanded allegiance to imperial cults and often viewed Christians with suspicion due to their exclusive worship of Christ and refusal to participate in civic idolatry. The Johannine concept of "the world" (Gk. _kosmos_) is critical here; it does not refer to the physical creation, which God loves ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God Loves the World")), but to the human system organized apart from God, dominated by sin, and inherently hostile to divine truth and those who embody it.

* **Key Themes:** John 17:14 encapsulates several profound themes central to the Gospel of John and Christian theology. First, it underscores the **authority and transformative power of God's word**, which Jesus has "given" to His disciples, shaping their very identity. Second, it highlights the **radical distinction between the kingdom of God and the "world"**, understood as the fallen human system alienated from God. This distinction leads to the theme of **inevitable conflict and persecution**, as those who belong to Christ will face antagonism from a world that rejects Him. Finally, the verse powerfully establishes the **identification of believers with Christ**, asserting that their experience of being "not of the world" and facing its hatred mirrors Jesus' own experience, providing both a realistic expectation and a profound comfort for His followers, as seen in Jesus' earlier warning in [John 15:18-19](/john/15-18-19 "John 15:18-19 - The World's Hatred of Disciples").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** (G3056) In this context, _lógos_ refers to the divine revelation, truth, and teaching that Jesus has communicated from the Father. It encompasses not merely spoken words or information, but the very essence of God's character, will, and redemptive plan embodied and expressed through Jesus. This "word" is the foundation of the disciples' new identity and their separation from the world.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** (G2889) While _kósmos_ can refer to the physical creation or humanity in general, in John 17:14, it denotes the fallen, organized human system, alienated from God and opposed to His truth and His people. It represents the sphere of human society and values that operates independently of God's will, often characterized by sin, pride, and rebellion against divine authority.
* **hated (Greek, _miséō'_):** (G3404) This verb signifies a strong, active detestation, often leading to persecution. It implies a deep-seated antagonism and hostility, not merely indifference. The world's hatred for the disciples is not accidental or superficial but a direct, profound reaction to their inherent difference, which is rooted in their allegiance to Christ and His word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have given them thy word":** Jesus declares that His mission has included bestowing upon His disciples the Father's divine revelation. This "word" is the truth about God, salvation, and the nature of His kingdom, which Jesus, as the incarnate Word, has fully unveiled. This act of giving implies both the transmission of knowledge and the impartation of a new spiritual reality that shapes the disciples' identity and worldview.
* **"and the world hath hated them":** This clause presents the direct and inevitable consequence of receiving God's word and belonging to Christ. The "world," in its fallen, anti-God system, reacts with active animosity and hostility towards those who embody divine truth. This hatred is a spiritual reality, a clash between two fundamentally opposing kingdoms.
* **"because they are not of the world":** This phrase explains the reason for the world's hatred. The disciples' identity and allegiance are no longer derived from or defined by the world's values, systems, or spirit. They have been spiritually separated and transformed by God's word, making them fundamentally distinct from the world's fallen nature. Their non-worldliness is not a choice of isolation but a spiritual reality resulting from their new birth and divine belonging.
* **"even as I am not of the world":** Jesus draws a direct parallel between His own identity and that of His disciples. His non-worldliness is the prototype for theirs. He, though in the world, was never "of" it, maintaining perfect obedience to the Father. This shared characteristic underscores the disciples' union with Christ and validates their experience of alienation, reminding them that their suffering is a participation in His own.

#### Literary Devices
John 17:14 is rich with **Johannine Dualism**, a recurring literary feature in this Gospel that presents stark contrasts between opposing realities, such as light and darkness, truth and falsehood, God and the world. Here, the "word" (truth, from God) is set against the "world's hatred" (darkness, opposition to God). The verse also employs powerful **Parallelism** in the repeated phrase "not of the world, even as I am not of the world," which emphasizes the shared nature of Christ's and His disciples' identity and experience. This repetition reinforces the idea of spiritual distinction and identification with Jesus. Furthermore, there is a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: receiving God's word (cause) leads to being "not of the world," which in turn leads to the world's "hatred" (effect).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:14 profoundly articulates the eschatological tension inherent in Christian discipleship: believers live _in_ the world but are not _of_ the world. Having received God's truth through Christ, their identity is fundamentally transformed, aligning them with God's kingdom rather than the fallen human system. This spiritual re-orientation inevitably brings them into conflict with a world that largely rejects divine authority and truth. The world's hatred is not a personal affront but a spiritual battle, a testament to the distinct nature of God's people. This verse underscores the call to sanctification—a setting apart for God's purposes—and prepares believers for the reality of suffering for righteousness' sake, a suffering that paradoxically confirms their authentic spiritual identity and union with Christ.

* [John 15:18-19](/john/15-18-19 "John 15:18-19 - The World Hates Those Chosen by Christ")
* [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World")
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 17:14 offers a sobering yet profoundly comforting truth for every follower of Jesus. It dispels any illusion that Christian life will be universally accepted or applauded by the world. Instead, it establishes an expectation of opposition, even hatred, stemming not from personal failings but from our inherent spiritual distinctiveness. This verse calls us to embrace our identity as those "not of the world," living by God's word and values even when they clash with prevailing cultural norms. It challenges us to examine our allegiances: are we truly living as citizens of heaven, or have we subtly conformed to worldly patterns? Yet, in this challenge, there is immense comfort. Our experience of being set apart and facing opposition is not unique; it is a shared experience with Christ Himself. This truth should strengthen our resolve, reminding us that our suffering for righteousness' sake is a mark of authenticity and a participation in the very life of our Lord. It compels us to live courageously, distinctively, and faithfully, knowing that our ultimate belonging is with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does your life reflect that you are "not of the world"?**
* **How do you typically react when you experience opposition or misunderstanding because of your faith?**
* **How does knowing that Jesus Himself was "not of the world" and faced hatred comfort or encourage you in your own walk?**
* **What aspects of "the world's" values or systems might you unknowingly be conforming to, and how can you intentionally live more distinctly for Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does "the world" (kosmos) mean in John 17:14, and how is it different from other uses of the word in Scripture?**

Answer: In John 17:14, "the world" (Greek: _kosmos_) refers not to the physical creation or humanity in general, but specifically to the fallen, organized human system, culture, and values that are alienated from God and hostile to His truth and His people. This is distinct from other uses of _kosmos_ in the Bible, such as in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God Loves the World"), where it refers to humanity as the object of God's love, or in [Acts 17:24](/acts/17-24 "Acts 17:24 - God Made the World"), where it denotes the physical universe. In John's Gospel, _kosmos_ often carries a negative connotation, representing the realm of darkness and rebellion against God, as seen in [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World").

**Why does "the world" hate believers, according to this verse?**

Answer: The verse explicitly states that the world hates believers "because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." The hatred stems from a fundamental spiritual incompatibility. Believers, having received God's word through Jesus, have a new identity, allegiance, and set of values that are diametrically opposed to the world's system, which operates independently of God and is often hostile to divine truth. This distinction exposes the world's sin and rebellion, leading to its animosity. Jesus warned His disciples about this in [John 15:18-19](/john/15-18-19 "John 15:18-19 - The World's Hatred of Disciples"), explaining that because He chose them out of the world, the world hates them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 17:14 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the ultimate embodiment of being "not of the world" while simultaneously entering it to redeem it. His entire earthly ministry was characterized by a radical separation from the world's values, power structures, and sin, even as He compassionately engaged with its inhabitants. He came as the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), exposing its darkness, and was consequently hated and rejected by it, culminating in His crucifixion. Thus, the world's hatred for His followers is a direct participation in His own experience, validating their identity and suffering. Furthermore, Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, of which this verse is a part, is His intercessory work on behalf of His disciples. He prays for their protection and sanctification precisely because He knows the world's animosity. His victory over the world, declared in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World"), assures believers that while they will face tribulation, they are ultimately secure in Him. Their "not-of-the-world" status is a gift of His redemptive work, making them citizens of His heavenly kingdom ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")) and empowering them to live distinctly, following His example of suffering for righteousness' sake ([1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ's Example of Suffering")).

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 17:16

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 15:18

¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

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.

1 John 5:19

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

John 8:23

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

1 John 4:5

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.