Chapter 15
John 15:18–27
Theme: Faithful witness to Jesus means we will face the world’s rejection—but we are not alone.
The World’s Hatred Reflects Its Rejection of Jesus 18 If the world hates you, remember—it hated Me first.
19 If you belonged to the world, it would welcome you as its own. But because you don’t belong to the world—because I chose you out of it—the world hates you.
Greek Insight: “misei” – not casual dislike, but deep hostility.
“ek tou kosmou ouk este” – “you are not from the world” implies a new spiritual origin and identity.
Servants Share in Their Master’s Suffering 20 Remember what I told you: A servant isn’t greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they’ll persecute you too. If they listened to My words, they’ll listen to yours as well.
Greek Insight: “diōxan” – implies sustained, aggressive persecution.
Rejection Comes from Not Knowing God 21 They’ll treat you this way because of Me—because they don’t truly know the One who sent Me.
Greek Insight: “tou pempsantos me” – Jesus points to His divine commission and relational unity with the Father.
Jesus’s Words and Works Remove Excuses 22 If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t be held accountable for their sin. But now they have no excuse. 23 Anyone who hates Me also hates My Father. 24 If I hadn’t done the works no one else ever did, they wouldn’t be guilty. But now they’ve seen them—and still hated both Me and My Father.
Greek Insight: “ouk eichosan hamartian” – refers to accountability, not innocence.
Jesus's public miracles and teachings removed their ability to claim ignorance.
Scripture Predicted This Hatred 25 But all this fulfills what’s written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without a reason.’
Reference: Psalm 35:19; 69:4
Greek Insight: “dōrean” – freely, without cause, unjustified hatred.
The Spirit Will Testify About Jesus 26 When the Advocate comes—the Spirit of Truth whom I will send from the Father—He will testify about Me.
Greek Insight: “Paraklētos” – the Comforter, Advocate, Counselor.
The Spirit flows from the Father and is sent by the Son—testifying to who Jesus truly is.
So Will You 27 And you also will testify—because you’ve been with Me from the beginning.
Greek Insight: “martyrēte” – “bear witness,” a legal and spiritual term.
The disciples' testimony is grounded in personal relationship and lived experience.
IN THIS LESSON
What’s Really Going On?
Jesus is preparing His disciples for the hard truth of their calling: being aligned with Him will bring opposition from the world. He explains the reason for this hatred, grounds their identity in divine calling, and promises the Helper (Holy Spirit) who will testify with them. This is a passage of sobering realism and courageous hope.
The World’s Hatred Mirrors Its Rejection of Jesus (v. 18–19)
Servants Will Share in Their Master’s Treatment (v. 20)
"A servant is not greater than his master..."
Jesus reminds them that following Him means sharing in both glory and suffering.
Exposure of Sin Through Word and Deed (v. 22–24)
"They have no excuse for their sin."
Jesus’s words and works made them accountable—they could no longer plead ignorance.
The Spirit Will Testify (v. 26)
"When the Helper comes... He will testify about me."
Jesus promises the Spirit of Truth, who will testify from the heart of God.
Servants Will Share in Their Master’s Treatment (v. 20)
"A servant is not greater than his master..."
Jesus reminds them that following Him means sharing in both glory and suffering.
What Was Said or Done?
"If the world hates you, remember it hated Me first..."
Jesus warns that hatred is not personal—it’s spiritual opposition to the light.
Believers are not “of the world” anymore—our identity and origin have changed.
So Will You (v. 27)
"You also will testify..."
The disciples are not passive observers—they are active witnesses, grounded in firsthand experience
Their Rejection Reveals Their Ignorance of God (v. 21)
"...because they do not know the One who sent me."
Their hostility flows from spiritual blindness and separation from the Father.
Let’s Talk About It
Let’s Talk About It
Decisions They Faced
The disciples had to choose whether to stay faithful knowing it would cost them.
They had to decide to bear witness in a hostile world.
They were invited to rely on the Spirit, not fear, when sharing truth
What Happened Next?
Jesus’s followers faced intense persecution, but the Holy Spirit empowered them to be bold.
Their testimony transformed the world—and many believed, even in the face of death.
Their suffering gave credibility and authenticity to their witness.
Living It Out
Living It Out
💬 Let’s Make It Personal
Where in your life are you feeling pressure to stay silent about your faith?
What keeps you from witnessing—fear of rejection, shame, or self-doubt?
How can you rely more fully on the Holy Spirit in your conversations and courage?
Your Next Step
Prayer Focus: Ask the Holy Spirit for courage to be a witness—at work, school, online, or among friends
Journal Prompt: Write down one situation where you need to take a stand for Jesus. What’s holding you back? What truth will you cling to?
Witness in Action: Look for one opportunity this week to lovingly speak truth about who Jesus is and what He has done in your life.