A study of John 15:18-21 reveals the world hates Jesus and his disciples, persecuted him, and persecutes his disciples because it doesn’t know God.
A study of John 15:18-21 reveals the world hates Jesus and his disciples.
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.(ESV, John 15:18-19)
After commanding the disciples to abide in Him and love one another (John 15:1–17), Jesus prepares them for a hostile world. Since it hates him, it will hate them too. The Greek word for “world” is kosmos. In John, it can mean the created world or humanity in general. But here it means humanity in rebellion against God. Unbelievers who live under sin and darkness. People who loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil (John 3:19). The world hates Jesus because he exposes its sin. And as we strive to follow him as disciples, we expose the world’s rebellion against him. So it hates us too.
The Greek word for “hates” is miseō and means real opposition, rejection, and hostility. Not simply a difference of opinion. This hatred is expressed in different ways. Mockery, exclusion, slander, pressure to compromise, discrimination, and violent persecution. But we must respond to it with truth, holiness, and love.
Believers don’t belong to this world.
Jesus explains the reason for the hate. you are not of this world. The Greek word for “of” is ek, which means out of or from. Those who believe in and follow Jesus are redeemed from sin. Rather than rebel against God, the redeemed seek to obey God’s word. And their lives no longer reflect the values and inherent rebellion as the world. As disciples, they still live in the world, but are no longer from it in the sense of identity, allegiance, and spiritual relationship with God.
However, we can’t take credit for our redemption and Jesus explains why. I have chosen you out of the world. The Greek word for “chose” is ĕklĕgŏmai, which means chose or selected. It affirms that salvation is not earned, deserved, or something we effect. God initiates it and freely gives it as a gift of his grace.
Of course, there’s still an internal conflict among believers. The desire to please God, but also to be liked by other people and fit in socially within the culture. It beckons us towards a worldly lifestyle that the Apostle Paul warns us about.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV, Romans 12:2)
A study of John 15:18-21 reveals a world that persecuted Jesus will persecute his followers.
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (ESV, John 15:20)
Jesus repeats what he said in John 13:16 after he finished washing the disciples’ feet during the last supper. It was an example of humble serving. And Jesus tells them to demonstrate the same humility in serving one another. He speaks from a position of authority as their Lord and Master. And tells them what follows hate.
A world that hates also persecutes
The Greek word for “persecute” is diōkō, which means to pursue, chase, harass, or persecute. It is used in the New Testament for active hostility against God’s people. Jesus never promised earthly ease to His disciples. Instead, they should expect persecution as part of faithful discipleship.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.” (ESV, Matthew 5:10-12)
But not everyone will reject God. Jesus reminds them that some will receive and follow him like them. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. The Greek word for “kept” is Tēreō, which means to guard, observe, preserve, or obey. It reminds us that disciples of Jesus must persevere in faith, continue to proclaim the Gospel, and strive to make other disciples.
A study of John 15:18-21 reveals the world treats disciples badly because it doesn’t know God.
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. (ESV, John 15:21)
Jesus identifies the root problem. They do not know the One who sent Me. Jesus speaks of his intimate relationship with the father throughout the Gospel of John. Including a previous encounter with religious leaders.
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. (ESV, John 8:19)
The Greek word for “to know” is oida and is not intellectual but relational knowledge. To know about someone is different from knowing them personally. Knowing Jesus means to know him as personal savior and follow him as Lord. This intimate, personal knowledge describes how his first disciples knew Jesus and how we know him as disciples today.
A world that rebels against God often defines its own path to salvation. Like following the Law, religious activity, and performing good works. But God demands personal faith and the full committment to a person–a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And since the father and son are one, to know one is to know the other.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (ESV, John 14:6-7)
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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As Jesus began his ministry, the first thing he did was to preach about sin.
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (ESV, Matthew 4:17)
The Greek word translated “repent” is metanoeō. Biblical repentance is not mere regret, remorse, or behavior-management. It is a God-given turning: a change of mind and heart that acknowledges sin as sin, turns from rebellion against God, and turns to Christ in faith. Repentance and faith are inseparable responses to the gospel—not works that earn salvation, but the fruit of God’s saving grace.
Jesus says that if the world hates His disciples, they must know that it hated Him first. The issue is not merely personal dislike of Christians. The world’s deepest hostility is directed at Christ Himself—His holiness, authority, truth, and exclusive claim to be the way of salvation (John 14:6).
Why does the world hate Jesus?
Because he exposes its sin. In fact, his first act in ministry was to preach repentance from sin.
Why does sin love darkness?
Verse about sin loves the darkness?
ion begins with Christ’s gracious, sovereign choice, not fallen humanity’s initiative. He sets His people apart for Himself.
That separation explains the world’s hatred. The world “would love” those who belonged to it because people naturally welcome what reflects their own values and rebellion. But Christ’s people belong to another kingdom. Their transformed loyalties, confession, conduct, and message testify that the world’s rebellion is sinful.
This does not authorize a self-righteous attitude. Christians were once part of the same fallen world and are saved solely by grace (Ephesians 2:1–5; Titus 3:3–7). Yet grace produces a genuine distinction: believers must not return to the values from which Christ redeemed them.
