But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The world's hatred towards Jesus' followers isn't just about them, but stems from a deep ignorance of God Himself. This misunderstanding of the Father leads people to reject His Son and, by extension, those who bear His name and represent Him.
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is preparing his disciples for the reality that the world will hate and persecute them, just as it hated him. He explains that this animosity isn't personal but stems from their separation from the world and their allegiance to him. This verse solidifies that their suffering is a direct consequence of their identity in Christ and the world's fundamental ignorance of God.
When the world pushes back, it’s not random. Jesus tells us there's a reason, and it's deeply tied to His identity.
Jesus tells His disciples that the persecution they face isn't for their own failings, but 'for my name’s sake.'
The Name Represents Jesus
In the ancient world, a name carried immense weight. It wasn't just a label, but represented the essence, character, and authority of a person. When people persecuted the disciples for 'Christ’s name,' they were attacking everything Jesus stood for: His claims, His teachings, His mission, and His divine authority.
Turning Suffering into Identity
This understanding offers profound comfort. It means that suffering for Christ isn't a sign of failure, but a declaration of loyalty. It’s a badge of honor, signifying that you stand with Jesus. The early church saw this suffering not as a burden, but as a source of joy and a reason to boast, knowing they were identified with Christ.
Why does the world lash out against followers of Jesus? Jesus points to a fundamental disconnect, a blindness that misses the very heart of God.
Jesus explains the root cause of this opposition: 'because they do not know him who sent me.'
The Hidden Father
Those who persecute believers don't just misunderstand Jesus; they fundamentally misunderstand God the Father. They have a flawed or incomplete picture of who God is. Because they haven't truly encountered or understood the Father’s character – His love, His mercy, His justice – they can’t comprehend why anyone would follow Jesus, who perfectly reveals the Father.
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A Spiritual Blindness
This ignorance isn't necessarily intellectual; it's a spiritual blindness. They lack the internal awareness that comes from a relationship with God. If they truly knew the Father, they would recognize His mission for Jesus and understand the disciples' allegiance. Their opposition, therefore, stems from a profound disconnect from the divine source.
Understand the original words
onoma · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, a name represents the totality of a person's character, authority, reputation, and presence. To act "on account of" the name of Jesus is to act as His representative, bearing the weight of His identity before the world.
ginōskō · Greek Verb
Biblically, to 'know' (ginōskō) implies more than intellectual awareness; it denotes a deep, experiential, personal relationship or intimacy. In this context, the failure to know God the Father results in a fundamental misunderstanding of the Son who was sent by Him.
This passage directly echoes the idea of rejoicing in suffering for Christ's name, showing how the early believers understood this command to find honor in persecution.
Romans 10:14This verse highlights the core issue: people cannot believe in or call upon someone they haven't heard about, connecting to the ignorance of God mentioned in John 15:21.
1 Peter 4:14This passage directly links suffering for being a Christian with glorifying God, reinforcing the idea that persecution is 'for Christ's name' and points to a deeper spiritual reality.
John 16:3Jesus directly states that people will act this way because 'they do not know the Father, nor me,' providing a direct parallel and explanation for the ignorance mentioned in this verse.
Galatians 4:8This verse speaks to a time when the Galatians 'knew no gods,' which parallels the ignorance of the true God that John 15:21 points to as the root of hostility.
cambridgeJohn 15:21: "But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."
21 . for my name’s sake ] This thought is to turn their suffering into joy. Comp. Acts 5:41 ; Acts 21:13 ; 2 Corinthians 12:10 ; Galatians 6:14 ; Php 2:17-18 ; 1 Peter 4:14 . they know not him that sent me ] Comp. John 7:28 , John 16:3 , John 17:25 . They not merely did not know that God had sent Jesus; they did not know God Himself, for their idea of Him was radically wrong.
calvinJohn 15:16-21: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
- You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you; and I have ordained you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should continue; that whatever you shall ask from the Father in my name he may give you. 17. These things I command you, that you may love another. 18…
The world's hatred towards Jesus' followers isn't just about them, but stems from a deep ignorance of God Himself. This misunderstanding of the Father leads people to reject His Son and, by extension, those who bear His name and represent Him.
Jesus is preparing his disciples for the reality that the world will hate and persecute them, just as it hated him. He explains that this animosity isn't personal but stems from their separation from the world and their allegiance to him. This verse solidifies that their suffering is a direct consequence of their identity in Christ and the world's fundamental ignorance of God.
Jesus is preparing his disciples for the reality that the world will hate and persecute them, just as it hated him. He explains that this animosity isn't personal but stems from their separation from the world and their allegiance to him. This verse solidifies that their suffering is a direct consequence of their identity in Christ and the world's fundamental ignorance of God.
"But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." — The world's hatred towards Jesus' followers isn't just about them, but stems from a deep ignorance of God Himself. This misunderstanding of the Father leads people to reject His Son and, by extension…
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Last reviewed October 2026