John 16:3
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ποιήσουσιν
will they do
G4160
ποιήσουσιν
will they do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
3 of 11
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔγνωσαν
known
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
known
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
7 of 11
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 15:21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.John 17:25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.John 8:19Then 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.John 8:55Yet 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 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:1 John 4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.1 John 3:1Behold, 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.John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism possessed the Scriptures, the temple, and zealous commitment to monotheism—yet missed the Messiah standing before them. This pattern would repeat throughout church history: the medieval Inquisition, Reformation-era martyrdoms, and modern persecution often perpetrated by the 'religious' who claim to defend God's honor while rejecting His Son.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you distinguish between knowing about God and truly knowing God through Christ?
- In what ways might religious tradition or zeal obscure rather than reveal the true character of God?
- How does Jesus's teaching guard you against both persecuting others and being embittered by persecution?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They have not known the Father, nor me (οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τὸν πατέρα οὐδὲ ἐμέ, ouk egnōsan ton patera oude eme)—the aorist tense of ginōskō (to know) points to their decisive failure to recognize God. This is relational knowledge, not mere information. Jesus identifies the root cause of religious persecution: ignorance of God's true character as revealed in Christ.
The tragic irony: those most zealous for God prove most ignorant of Him. This echoes John 1:10 ('the world knew him not'), 8:19 ('ye neither know me, nor my Father'), and 15:21 ('they know not him that sent me'). True knowledge of the Father necessarily includes knowing the Son, for Christ perfectly reveals the Father's nature (John 14:9). Religious activity without this knowledge produces persecutors, not worshipers.