John 17:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
δέδωκα
have given
G1325
δέδωκα
have given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
2 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
word
G3056
λόγον
word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
5 of 24
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
the world
G2889
κόσμου
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
9 of 24
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ἐμίσησεν
hath hated
G3404
ἐμίσησεν
hath hated
Strong's:
G3404
Word #:
10 of 24
to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
15 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
the world
G2889
κόσμου
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
17 of 24
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
22 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.John 8:23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.John 7:7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.Proverbs 29:27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Historical Context
This comes from Jesus's High Priestly Prayer (John 17), offered on the night before His crucifixion. Spoken in the upper room or en route to Gethsemane, this prayer addresses the Father concerning the disciples' future mission after His departure. The immediate context is the coming persecution they will face from both Jewish religious authorities and the Roman world.
Questions for Reflection
- How does receiving God's word necessarily place you at odds with the world's values and systems?
- In what ways do you experience the world's hatred for following Christ, and how should this affect your expectations as a disciple?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I have given them thy word (τὸν λόγον σου, ton logon sou)—Jesus has entrusted the disciples with divine revelation, the logos that was with God from the beginning (John 1:1). This 'word' encompasses both Jesus's teachings and His very person as the incarnate Word.
The world hath hated them (ὁ κόσμος ἐμίσησεν αὐτούς, ho kosmos emisēsen autous)—The kosmos (world-system opposed to God) inevitably hates those who bear God's word. This hatred is not random hostility but a spiritual reaction: light exposes darkness (John 3:19-20). Jesus's because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world parallels the disciples' status with His own—sanctified separation, not geographical isolation. The double negation (ouk eisi ek tou kosmou) emphasizes complete ontological difference: believers are aliens in a hostile territory, their citizenship elsewhere (Philippians 3:20).