John 15:21
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John 15:21
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Chapter Context
John 15 is a theological gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of worship, grace, righteousness. Written during the late first century CE (c. 90-95 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed late first-century challenges from both Judaism and emerging Gnostic thought.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within John and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
John 15:21
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Analysis
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake (ἀλλὰ ταῦτα πάντα ποιήσουσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου/alla tauta panta poiēsousin eis hymas dia to onoma mou)—the phrase for my name's sake (διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου/dia to onoma mou) identifies the root cause of persecution: association with Christ's person and authority. Onoma (name) represents not merely a label but the full person, character, and claims of Jesus.
Persecution comes dia (because of, on account of) that name. Being identified with Christ—confessing His lordship, proclaiming His gospel, living according to His ethics—triggers world-hatred. This clarifies motive: believers aren't persecuted for obnoxious behavior but for Christ-identification. Peter later writes: "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye" (1 Peter 4:14), "let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (4:16).
Because they know not him that sent me (ὅτι οὐκ οἴδασιν τὸν πέμψαντά με/hoti ouk oidasin ton pempsanta me)—the ultimate explanation for persecution is ignorance of the Father. Oidasin means experiential knowledge, personal acquaintance, not mere information. Persecutors lack saving knowledge of God despite potential religious sophistication (cf. John 8:19: "Ye neither know me, nor my Father").
This reveals persecution's spiritual blindness. Paul, the zealous persecutor, later testified: "I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:13). Knowing the Father transforms hatred into worship, opposition into discipleship.
Historical Context
This warning prepared disciples for the fundamental irony of Christian persecution: religious people claiming to serve God would persecute God's true servants. Within hours, the Jewish Sanhedrin—experts in Torah, guardians of temple worship—condemned Jesus. Within years, Saul of Tarsus, "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Philippians 3:5), violently persecuted the church "thinking he did God service" (Acts 26:9-11).
Church history repeatedly fulfilled this pattern: the Inquisition tortured and burned believers in Christ's name; Reformers were martyred by religious authorities claiming orthodoxy; missionaries were martyred by sincere adherents of false religions. Religious sincerity without knowledge of the true God produces zealous persecution.
Jesus' phrase "him that sent me" emphasizes His divine commission and the Father's authority behind His mission. Rejecting Jesus isn't merely rejecting a teacher but rejecting the Father who sent Him. This explains why religious persecution is simultaneously most sincere and most deeply wrong—persecutors genuinely believe they defend God while opposing God's Son.
Reflection
- How can you discern whether opposition comes "for Christ's name sake" versus from your own failings or unnecessarily offensive behavior?
- What does it mean that sincere religious people can lack true knowledge of God while claiming to serve Him?
- How should understanding the spiritual blindness of persecutors shape your response when facing opposition?