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John 15:20

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Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Remember {G3421} the word {G3056} that {G3739} I {G1473} said {G2036} unto you {G5213}, The servant {G1401} is {G2076} not {G3756} greater than {G3187} his {G846} lord {G2962}. If {G1487} they have persecuted {G1377} me {G1691}, they will {G1377} also {G2532} persecute {G1377} you {G5209}; if {G1487} they have kept {G5083} my {G3450} saying {G3056}, they will keep {G5083} yours {G5212} also {G2532}.

Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours too.

Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

Commentary

John 15:20 (KJV) is part of Jesus' final discourse to His disciples before His crucifixion, specifically within the context of their relationship with Him and the world's reaction to them. It offers a crucial warning and reassurance about the nature of discipleship.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' teaching on the vine and the branches, emphasizing the necessity of abiding in Him (John 15:4). It directly precedes Jesus' explicit statement that the world will hate them because it hated Him first (John 15:18). Jesus is preparing His followers for the reality of ministry in a hostile world, contrasting their experience with His own.

Key Themes

  • Servant Identity: Jesus reminds His disciples that their status is that of servants. They should not expect preferential treatment or an easier path than their master, the Lord Christ.
  • Expectation of Persecution: A direct consequence of being identified with Christ is facing opposition and persecution from those who rejected Him. This is presented not as an anomaly, but as a predictable outcome.
  • Parallel Reception: The way the world reacted to Jesus—either persecuting Him or accepting (keeping) His words—will be the same way it reacts to His followers and their message.
  • Solidarity in Suffering: Believers share in Christ's experience of suffering and rejection, which provides comfort and meaning in the face of hostility.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The servant is not greater than his lord" uses the Greek words doulos (servant/slave) and kyrios (lord/master). This highlights the hierarchical relationship and the expectation that the servant's experience will mirror, not surpass, the master's. The word "persecuted" comes from the Greek diōkō, which means to pursue, chase, or hunt, often with hostile intent, reflecting active opposition. "Kept" translates tēreō, meaning to watch over, guard, observe, or obey, indicating acceptance and adherence to His teachings.

Reflection and Application

Jesus' words here manage expectations for believers throughout history. They teach us that facing opposition, criticism, or outright hostility for our faith is not a sign of failure, but rather a confirmation that we are truly following Christ. Just as the servant is not greater than his lord, we should anticipate a similar reception from the world that rejected Him. This verse calls us to faithfulness and endurance, reminding us that the world's reaction is ultimately a reaction to Christ Himself, not merely to us. It also implies that genuine faith is demonstrated by keeping His sayings, just as some did during His earthly ministry, and that such obedience is the mark of those who belong to Him.

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

  • 2 Timothy 3:12 (19 votes)

    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

  • John 13:16 (11 votes)

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

  • Matthew 10:24 (9 votes)

    The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.

  • Ezekiel 3:7 (7 votes)

    But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:12 (6 votes)

    And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

  • 2 Corinthians 4:9 (6 votes)

    Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

  • Acts 4:27 (4 votes)

    For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,