John 16:3
in John 16They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
KJV
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
⋯
This verse in John 16
Commentary
14 notes on this verseHe showed that the zeal of the Jews was a zeal not according to knowledge, as also Paul says, but that it had gone far astray and wandered out of the straight path, even though according to the purpose that was in them it seemed to be manifested for the sake of God. For these misguided men thought that by arming themselves with the command given by Moses they pleased God, the Giver of the Law, and actually supposed, that by opposing the prophetic utterances of Christ, they gained credit with Him.
This site's exposition
have not known the Father
on John 16:3-4
Ignorance of the Father and of the Son is the root of the coming violence. Jesus names it now so that when their hour comes the disciples will remember that He told them. The prediction itself will hold their faith steady.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Finally, to what He had thus told them, He added the words: "But the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service: and these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." That is to say, they have not known the Father, nor His Son, to whom they think they will be doing service in slaying you. Words which the Lord added in the way of consolation to His own, who should be driven out of the Jewish synagogues. For it is in thus announcing beforehand what evils they would have to endure for their testimony in His behalf, that He said, "They will put you out of the synagogues." Nor does He say, And the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. What then? "But the hour cometh:" just in the way He would have spoken, were He foretelling them of something good that would follow such evils. What, then, does He mean by the words, "They will put you out of the synagogues: but the hour cometh"? As if He would have gone on to say this: They, indeed, will scatter you, but I will gather you; or, They shall, indeed, scatter you, but the hour of your joy cometh. What, then, has the word which He uses, "but the hour cometh," to do here, as if He were going on to promise them comfort after their tribulation, when apparently He ought rather to have said, in the form of continuous narration, And the hour cometh? But He said not, And it cometh, although predicting the approach of one tribulation after another, instead of comfort after tribulation. Could it have been that such a separation from the synagogues would so discompose them, that they would prefer to die, rather than remain in this life apart from the Jewish assemblies? Far surely would those be from such discomposure, who were seeking, not the praise of men, but of God. […]
A commentator
Cyril of AlexandriaCommentary on the Gospel of John, Book 10 · Written before 444.
proposed
In these words the Lord Jesus Christ defends himself and also accuses the audacity of the Jews … censuring those who dishonor him by their cruelty toward the holy apostles. For the charge of transgression will not merely have reference to their treatment of the saints but also will bear on the one who laid on them the service of apostleship. Just as God said to the holy Samuel concerning the children of Israel, "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me."
"And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor Me." "It is sufficient for your comfort that ye endure these things for My sake, and the Father's." Here He remindeth them of the blessedness of which He spake at the beginning, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven." (Matt. v. 11, Matt. v. 12.)
The Medieval Church2 voices
He also adds sufficient consolation. He says: "They will do these things because they have not known either the Father or Me." You will suffer for My sake and for the Father's sake, and therefore endure. For "blessed are you when they revile and persecute …
And these things they will do to you, because they have not known the Father nor me, that is, on account of ignorance and unbelief. There is an example in Paul, 1 Timothy 1: "I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious, but I …
7 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
2075 He gives the reason why this will be so (v 3), first stating the reason, and then saying why he foretold this persecution (v 4). 2076 He says, they will persecute you, but they will do this, not out of zeal for the truth, …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Those that are ignorant of Christ cannot have any right knowledge of God. In vain do men pretend to know God and religion, while they slight Christ and Christianity. Those are very ignorant indeed of God and Christ that think it an acceptable piece of service to persecute good people.
And these things will they do unto you,....
Here are healing words in the comforts he administers to them for their support under those troubles, which are five:-- 1. That he would send them the Comforter,
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
The opening verses of this chapter contain three important utterances of Christ, which deserve our special attention. For one thing, we find our Lord delivering a remarkable prophecy. He tells His disciples that they will be cast out of the Jewish Church, and persecuted even to the death—"They shall put you out of the synagogues—yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service." How strange that seems at first sight! Excommunication, suffering, and death, are the portion that the Prince of Peace predicts to His disciples.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1869)
proposed
The opening verses of this chapter contain three important utterances of Christ, which deserve our special attention. For one thing, we find our Lord delivering a remarkable prophecy. He tells His disciples that they will be cast out of the Jewish Church, and persecuted even to the death—"They shall put you out of the synagogues—yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service." How strange that seems at first sight! Excommunication, suffering, and death, are the portion that the Prince of Peace predicts to His disciples. So far from receiving them and their message with gratitude, the world would hate them, despitefully use them, and put them to death. And, worst of all, their persecutors would actually persuade themselves that it was right to persecute, and would inflict the cruelest injuries in the sacred name of religion. How true the prediction has turned out! Like every other prophecy of Scripture, it has been fulfilled to the very letter. The Acts of the Apostles show us how the unbelieving Jews persecuted the early Christians. The pages of history tell us what horrible crimes have been committed by the Popish Inquisition. The annals of our own country inform us how our holy Reformers were burned at the stake for their religion, by men who professed to do all they did from zeal for pure Christianity. Unlikely and incredible as it might seem at the time, the great Prophet of the Church has been found in this, as in everything else, to have predicted nothing but literal truth. Let it never surprise us to hear of true Christians being persecuted, in one way or another, even in our own day. Human nature never changes. Grace is never really popular. The quantity of persecution which God's children have to suffer in every rank of life, even now, if they confess their Master, is far greater than the thoughtless world supposes.
Because they have not known the Father - See on Joh 15:25 (note). Ignorance of the benevolence of God, and of the philanthropy of Christ, is the grand fountain whence all religious persecution and intolerance proceed.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ταῦτα | tauta | these things | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| ποιήσουσιν | poiesousin | they will do | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | because | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἔγνωσαν | egnosan | they know | G1097 → | 221 times |
| τὸν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πατέρα | patera | Father | G3962 → | 410 times |
| οὐδὲ | oude | nor | G3761 → | 141 times |
| ἐμέ. | eme | Me myself. | G1473 → | 839 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ταῦταthese things
tautaG3778 →1381 times
ποιήσουσινthey will do
poiesousinG4160 →569 times
ὅτιbecause
hotiG3754 →1292 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἔγνωσανthey know
egnosanG1097 →221 times
τὸνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
πατέραFather
pateraG3962 →410 times
οὐδὲnor
oudeG3761 →141 times
ἐμέ.Me myself.
emeG1473 →839 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
John 8:19“Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”
it leads to
- John 8:54–55
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’
- John 14:6–9
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4–6
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 1 Corinthians 15:34
Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
- John 1:10
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
- John 8:54–55
Through
John 8:55You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.
it leads to
- John 8:19
“Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- John 8:19
Through
2 Thessalonians 1:8in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 4:17
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
- Hebrews 10:27
but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
- 1 Peter 4:17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies12
About John
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John 93; Bonaventure, Commentary on John, Chapter 16; Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 10; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of John 77; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on John and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on John.