“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is not just warning them about future suffering; He's equipping them. The "things" He has spoken are meant to act as a spiritual "shock absorber," so that when hardship hits, they won't be taken by surprise and abandon their faith.
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been speaking to His disciples about the world's hatred and how it will persecute them, just as it persecuted Him. He's preparing them for the intense opposition they will face, including excommunication and even murder, which their enemies will wrongly believe is serving God. This warning is meant to prevent them from being shocked and stumbling in their faith when these trials come.
Jesus knew the road ahead would be tough. So, He shared hard truths. Why would He do that?
Jesus intentionally shared difficult prophecies and warnings with His disciples. The reason? To prepare them, not to crush them. He knew the world would react with hatred and opposition, even to the point of persecution. By forewarning them, Jesus aimed to prevent them from being surprised and falling away from their faith. It's like giving someone a heads-up about a coming storm – not to scare them, but so they can prepare their defenses. He wanted their faith to be resilient, built on understanding rather than shock.
The word 'offended' here is deep. It's not just about being mildly irritated; it's about stumbling and falling.
The original word Jesus uses isn't just about feeling a bit annoyed. It carries the sense of stumbling, tripping, or being caused to fall. Imagine walking on a path and hitting a hidden rock – you might stumble, lose your balance, or even fall. That's the picture Jesus paints. He's warning His disciples that the world's rejection, the persecution, and even His own departure could become 'stumbling blocks' that cause them to lose their footing in faith. His words were meant to help them see these future difficulties not as reasons to quit, but as predictable parts of following Him, thus strengthening their resolve instead of causing them to fall away.
Jesus doesn't pull punches about the intensity of the world's opposition. It's not just disagreement; it's a violent rejection.
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Jesus forewarns His disciples that the world's rejection of Him and them will be severe. They wouldn't just be disagreed with; they would be excommunicated ('put you out of the synagogues') and even killed. Shockingly, those who persecuted them would genuinely believe they were serving God. This 'rage' isn't logical disagreement; it's a spiritual blindness that misunderstands God's will entirely. Jesus explains this extreme opposition stems from the world's fundamental ignorance of both the Father and Himself. This radical rejection is a key reason Jesus shared these warnings: to inoculate His followers against the shock, so they wouldn't be derailed when the world showed its true colors.
Understand the original words
skandalizō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this refers to being scandalized, tripping, or falling into sin or apostasy. It implies a loss of faith or turning away from the truth due to unexpected trials or persecution.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
The central meeting place for Jewish religious life, education, and worship. Being excluded from this community meant total social, legal, and religious isolation from the covenant people.
hōra · Greek Noun
In John's Gospel, this often points to the critical, divine moment of Christ’s glorification, passion, or the fulfillment of prophetic events. It signifies a point in time determined by God's sovereign plan.
latreia · Greek Noun
Refers to acts of worship or religious duty offered to God. In this context, it highlights the irony of persecutors believing that murdering followers of Christ is a pious act of religious devotion.
Jesus' words in John 16:1 are spoken in the immediate context of his impending death and the disciples' coming persecution. He's not just offering abstract theology; he's preparing them for a harsh reality where their faith will be tested by the very people and systems they once knew.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Final Days with Disciples
In the final hours before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus delivers extensive teachings and warnings to his closest followers about the challenges they will face after his departure.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, ascending to the Father. This event is central to the disciples' mission but also the catalyst for their profound grief and fear.
c. AD 30-33
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to empower, guide, and comfort the disciples, enabling them to fulfill their mission despite persecution.
c. AD 30-60
Early Spread of Christianity
The apostles and early believers begin spreading the Christian message, facing significant opposition, including social ostracism and sometimes violence, from both Jewish and Roman authorities.
c. AD 70-95
Writing of the Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is written, likely decades after Jesus' earthly ministry. The author records Jesus' final teachings, including this warning, to strengthen believers facing persecution and misunderstanding.
Jesus asks John the Baptist if he is 'offended' because of him, directly linking the idea of stumbling or being discouraged to the Messiah’s mission and the challenges it presents.
1 Corinthians 1:23Paul describes the message of the cross as a 'stumbling block' to Jews and 'foolishness' to Gentiles, echoing Jesus' concern that his followers might fall away due to the world's rejection.
Romans 9:33This verse quotes Isaiah and speaks of a 'stone of stumbling' and a 'rock of offense' in relation to Israel’s disbelief, further emphasizing the theme of stumbling in relation to God’s people and His plans.
1 Peter 2:8Peter reiterates the concept of a 'stumbling stone' and a 'rock of offense' for those who disobey the word, showing that this potential for stumbling is a recurring theme for those who reject Christ.
cambridgeJohn 16:1: "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended."
1–11 . The World and the Paraclete 1 . These things ] These discourses generally, especially the last section about the world’s hatred of Him and them ( John 15:18-27 ). should not be offended ] Literally, should not be made to stumble: comp. John 6:61 ; 1 John 2:10 . The metaphor is frequent in S. Matt. and S. Mark, occurs thrice in S. Luke ( Luke 7:23 ; Luke 17:1-2 ), and twice in S. John. The fanatical hatred o…
henryJohn 16:1-6: "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended."
16:1-6 Our Lord Jesus, by giving his disciples notice of trouble, designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is possible for those who are real enemies to God's service, to pretend zeal for it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villanies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs, should look to the fulfilling…
Jesus is not just warning them about future suffering; He's equipping them. The "things" He has spoken are meant to act as a spiritual "shock absorber," so that when hardship hits, they won't be taken by surprise and abandon their faith.
Jesus has just been speaking to His disciples about the world's hatred and how it will persecute them, just as it persecuted Him. He's preparing them for the intense opposition they will face, including excommunication and even murder, which their enemies will wrongly believe is serving God. This warning is meant to prevent them from being shocked and stumbling in their faith when these trials come.
Jesus has just been speaking to His disciples about the world's hatred and how it will persecute them, just as it persecuted Him. He's preparing them for the intense opposition they will face, including excommunication and even murder, which their enemies will wrongly believe is serving God. This warning is meant to prevent them from being shocked and stumbling in their faith when these trials come.
"“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." — Jesus is not just warning them about future suffering; He's equipping them. The "things" He has spoken are meant to act as a spiritual "shock absorber," so that when hardship hits, they won't be take…
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Last reviewed October 2026