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John 15:18

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

If {G1487} the world {G2889} hate {G3404} you {G5209}, ye know {G1097} that {G3754} it hated {G3404} me {G1691} before {G4412} it hated you {G5216}.

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first.

If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.

If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you.

Commentary

In John 15:18, Jesus prepares His disciples for the inevitable hostility they will face from "the world" after His departure. This verse serves as both a warning and an encouragement, assuring them that their experience of rejection is a direct reflection of His own.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse (John chapters 13-17), delivered to His disciples just before His crucifixion. Following His profound teaching on abiding in Him as the true vine (John 15:1-11) and His new commandment to love one another (John 15:12-17), Jesus shifts to the reality of external opposition. He explains that because His followers are no longer "of the world" (John 17:14), they will share in the same hatred directed at Him.

Key Themes

  • The World's Hatred: Jesus clearly states that the world's animosity towards His disciples is not arbitrary but a continuation of its hatred for Him. This "world" (Greek: kosmos) refers not to the physical creation, but to humanity's organized system and values that are alienated from God and hostile to His truth.
  • Identification with Christ: Believers are hated precisely because they belong to Christ. Their identity as His followers makes them distinct from the world, and this distinction naturally draws opposition. This shared experience of suffering is a profound form of identification with Christ's sufferings.
  • Divine Forewarning: Jesus gives this warning not to discourage, but to prepare His disciples. Knowing the reason for the world's hatred—that it first hated Christ—provides perspective and comfort, preventing them from being surprised or dismayed.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "world," kosmos, is crucial here. It doesn't mean the planet Earth or all people universally. Instead, in Johannine theology, kosmos often signifies the fallen human system, organized apart from God, which actively rejects divine light and truth. The hatred (Greek: miseo) described is a deep-seated, active antagonism, not merely a lack of affection.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 15:18 remains profoundly relevant. It explains why Christians might face misunderstanding, ridicule, or outright persecution for their faith. This verse encourages us:

  • To not be surprised by opposition, remembering Jesus' words that "in the world ye shall have tribulation".
  • To find comfort in the fact that our struggles align us with Christ Himself. We are sharing in His experience.
  • To live distinctly from the world, prioritizing God's values over worldly ones, even if it means facing societal disapproval.
  • To love those who hate us, following Christ's example (Luke 6:27-28), while understanding the spiritual battle at play.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 3:13 (27 votes)

    Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

  • John 7:7 (17 votes)

    The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

  • Mark 13:13 (12 votes)

    And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

  • John 3:20 (12 votes)

    For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

  • Matthew 10:22 (11 votes)

    And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

  • Luke 6:22 (11 votes)

    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.

  • 1 John 3:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.