Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
20. Remember ] See note on Joh 13:16: of the passages noticed there Mat 10:24 is similar in meaning to this. Christ may here be alluding to the occasion recorded in Mat 10:24. On the blessedness of sharing the lot of Christ comp. 1Pe 4:12-13.
if they have kept my saying, they will keep ] Better, If they kept (comp. Joh 13:14, Joh 18:23) My word, they will keep. ‘Keep’ must not be exchanged for ‘watch, lay wait for,’ in a hostile sense; as if both halves of the verse were alike instead of being opposed. The phrase ‘keep the word (or words)’ of any one is frequent in this Gospel (Joh 8:51-52; Joh 8:55, Joh 14:23-24, Joh 17:6); always in the sense of the parallel phrase ‘keep my commandments’ (Joh 14:15; Joh 14:21, Joh 15:10). Both phrases form a link not only between the Gospel and the First Epistle (Joh 2:3-5, Joh 3:22; Joh 3:24, Joh 5:2-3), but also between these two and the Apocalypse (Rev 3:8; Rev 3:10, Rev 12:17, Rev 14:12, Rev 22:7; Rev 22:9). Comp. Joh 9:16; Rev 1:3; Rev 2:26; Rev 3:3. (See on Joh 11:44, Joh 19:37, Joh 20:16). All these passages shew that it is impossible to take ‘keep’ in a hostile sense. The phrase ‘to keep the word’ of any one occurs in S. John’s writings only. ‘To keep the commandments (or commandment)’ occurs elsewhere only Mat 19:17 (comp. Mat 28:20) and 1Ti 6:14. The meaning of the verse as a whole is that both in failure and in success they will share His lot. For the construction comp. Joh 13:14, Joh 18:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Remember the word that I said … – At their first appointment to the apostolic office. See Mat 10:24-25.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. If they have kept my saying] Or, doctrine. Whosoever acknowledges me for the Christ will acknowledge you for my ministers.
Some translate the passage thus: If they have WATCHED my sayings, i.e. with an intent to accuse me for something which I have said, they will WATCH yours also: therefore be on your guard. has this sense, as we have had occasion to observe before; and perhaps has the same sense here, as it is much more agreeable to the context.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The word that I said unto you, Joh 13:16, to press you to humility, and a mutual serving of one another in love; and which I spake to you, Mat 10:24, when I first sent you out; and I spake it then to you upon the very same account that I now speak it. You that are my servants cannot look to fare better with the world than I that am your Master; you know they have hated me, you must expect they should persecute you: if there be any of them whose hearts God shall incline to keep my sayings, they will also keep your words, which are but my sayings explained to them, and further pressed upon them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Remember the word that I said unto you,…. For their further consolation under the hatred of the world, he puts them in mind of a saying of his, which he had lately used, Joh 13:16; to teach them humility, self-denial, and brotherly love, and elsewhere, as in Mt 10:24; for the same purpose as here; namely, to engage them patiently to bear the hatred of men, and all indignities and insults from them, for his name’s sake:
the servant is not greater than the Lord: nor so great, and consequently not more, nor so: much deserving of respect, or to be treated in a better manner; suggesting, that Christ was their Lord and master, as he was, and they were his servants; and therefore were not greater than him, but much inferior to him, and could not expect better usage from men than he had:
if they have persecuted me; as they did, both by words and deeds, as before observed:
they will persecute you; and so they did in like manner, and from place to place:
if they have kept my saying; which is either ironically spoken, or designs that insidious malicious observation of Christ’s words, made by the Jews, with an intent to catch and lay hold on something to improve against him:
they will keep yours also; that is, either they will attend to your doctrines, or they will make the same spiteful remarks, and put the same evil constructions on your words as on mine.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Remember (). Present active imperative of , old verb from , in John again in John 16:4; John 16:21. See 13:16 for this word.
If they persecuted me ( ). Condition of first class. They certainly did persecute (first aorist active of , to chase like a wild beast like the Latin persequor, our “persecute”) Jesus (5:16). They will persecute those like Jesus. Cf. John 16:33; Mark 10:30; Luke 21:12; 1Cor 4:12; 2Cor 4:9; Gal 4:29; 2Tim 3:12 for proof that this prophecy came true. But the alternative is true and is stated by Jesus with a like condition of the first class, “if they kept my word” ( ). The world does praise the word of Jesus, but dreads to follow it.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Persecuted [] . The verb means originally to put to flight; thence to run swiftly in order to overtake or attain, as the goal or the competitor in the race. Thus Sophocles (” Electra, “738) :” He urged his swift steeds vehemently with shouts that pierced their ears, and makes for him [] . “Compare I follow after (diwkw, Phi 3:12). Hence to pursue with hostile intent, and, generally, to molest, harass, persecute. Persecute is from the equivalent Latin persequor, to follow up, and is used earlier, in the sense of pursue, while pursue, in turn, is used in the sense of persecute. Thus Wyc, Mt 5:44, for men pursuing you. Sir Thomas More (” Utopia “),” Whiles their enemies rejoicing in the victory have persecuted (i. e., pursued) them. “
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Remember the word that I said unto you,” (mnemoneuete tou logou ou ego eipon humin) “You all remember the word which I said directly to you,” the instructions and disclosures I made to you, in my first address to you as my New Covenant church company, Mat 5:10-12; 2Ti 3:2.
2) “The servant is not greater than his lord.” (ouk estin doulos meigon kuriou autou) ‘.’A slave-servant is (exists) not greater than his lord,” Joh 13:16-18; Luk 6:40.
3) “If they have persecuted me,” (ei me edioksan) “If they persecuted me,” and they did, therefore His servants who follow Him will not be immune to a like hatred from the world, as hatred that will bring them suffering, Mat 10:24-28.
4) “They will also persecute you,” (kai humas dioksousin) “They will also persecute you all,” 2Ti 3:12; “All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” and should count it an honor to do so for Christ, Act 5:40-42; 1Pe 4:12-14.
5) “If they have kept my saying,” (ei ton logon mou eteresan) “if they have kept (accepted or guarded) my word,” which they had not done, Joh 1:11; Mat 23:37; Joh 8:24; Joh 12:48.
6) “They will keep yours also.” (kai ton humeteron teresousin) “They will also keep or guard yours,” that is, they of the world order, in the main will rejected you, as they have rejected me. And for similar reasons, because your testimony and your lives of love will convict them as that of Stephen did, Act 7:51-60.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
20. Remember the word. It might also be read in the indicative mood, You remember the word, and the meaning is not very different; but I think that it is more suitable to read it in the imperative mood, Remember the word. It is a confirmation of what Christ had spoken immediately before, when he said that he was hated by the world, though he was far more excellent than his disciples; for it is unreasonable that the condition of the servant should be better than that of his master Having spoken of persons, he likewise makes mention of doctrine.
If they have heard my word, they will keep yours also. Nothing gives greater uneasiness to the godly than when they see the doctrine, which is of God, haughtily despised by men; for it is truly shocking and dreadful, and the sight of it might shake the stoutest heart. But when we remember on the other hand, that not less obstinate resistance was manifested against the Son of God himself, we need not wonder that the doctrine of God is so little reverenced among men. When he calls it his doctrine and their doctrine, this refers to the ministry. Christ is the only Teacher of the Church; but he intended that his doctrine, of which he had been the first Teacher, should be afterwards preached by the apostles.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(20) Remember the word that I said unto you.Comp. Joh. 13:16, where the saying is used in a different sense; and Mat. 10:24, where it is used in the same connection in which we find it here.
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying . . .The meaning is exactly that which is expressed in the rendering of the English version. The two things are necessarily united, as Christ and His disciples are united. His word is their word. The relation of the world to the one would be that which it had been to the other.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Remember Bear this word imprinted on your heart.
Servant Lord Mat 10:24; Joh 13:16. Honourable are the scorn and the hatred shared with Him who is honour itself. Nor can they complain while, in their suffering, they are preceded by his great example. And ever since he, the Lord, suffered persecution, persecution has become an honour; and persecutors have become afraid and ashamed when men cry persecution! against them. If
persecuted me also persecute you
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Remember the word that I spoke to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his lord’ (Joh 13:16). If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But all these things they will do to you for my name’s sake, because they do not know him who sent me.”
The world is consistent. Where it hates the Master, it hates those who are like the Master. The more Christ-like the disciples are, the more they must expect the treatment meted out to Jesus. For those who would respond in hatred to Jesus will respond to them in the same way. Those who would hate and persecute Him, will hate and persecute them. But in the end this is because they do not know ‘Him Who sent Me’. It is because they do not really know God the Father. If they had they would have recognised the Father in the Son, and then the whole world would have been changed.
We must of course ensure that that hatred is not caused because we are awkward, or deliberately difficult, or unwilling to consider other people’s point of view. Jesus was guilty of none of these, although no doubt He was told that He was. (People who tell you that you have an attitude problem are regularly those who do have an attitude problem). But where we stand for what is right, and for right teaching and right behaviour, in a firm but loving way, we will be hated for His sake.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 15:20. If they have kept my saying, “Had they received the truth in the love of it from me, no doubt but they would do the same from you.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 15:20 . A recalling of Joh 13:16 , presupposing, however, a different application than in that passage namely, a slave has no better lot to claim than his lord (comp. Mat 10:24-25 ).
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will also keep yours . Which of these two cases will in general occur, Jesus leaves to the judgment of the disciples themselves, since they in truth knew from experience how it had gone with Him. To take the second clause ironically (“quasi dicat: non est, quod hoc speretis,” Grotius, Lampe), is appropriate neither to the seriousness of the first, nor to the tone of the whole passage. Olshausen’s view is incorrect (comp. B. Crusius, Maier, Godet), “if many , etc.,” where, in the first half, according to Godet, we should have to think of the mass of the people. But the variation of the subjects is a pure importation. Finally, when Bengel and other older expositors (in Wolf) interpret as watch , this is quite opposed to the Johannean usage of . (Joh 8:51 , Joh 14:23-24 , and frequently), comp. Joh 15:10 , and it would also be too weak a conception after the first half of the verse. Irrespective of this, usage would not stand in the way of such rendering, Gen 3:15 (according to the usual reading); Dem. 317 ult., 1252. 8; Soph. O. R . 808; Arist. Vesp . 364; Thuc. iv. 108. 1, vii. 80. 1; Lys. iii. 34.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Ver. 20. Remember the word, &c. ] Else all is lost, 1Co 15:2 . Naturally the word runs through us, as water through a riven vessel: Pleni rimarum sumus, huc atque illuc diffuimus. Our memories are as sieves, that retain the chaff, let go the good grain; or as nets, that keep the pelf, let go the clean water; or as hour glasses, that are no sooner full, but running out again. Beseech we God to put his finger upon the hole, and to make his word an engrafted word unto us, to settle it upon our souls, , Heb 2:1 .
If they have kept my saying, &c. ] But they will do neither. Holy Melancthon, being himself newly converted, thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the gospel; but after he had been a preacher awhile, it is said he complained that old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
20. ] Ch. Joh 13:16 , but with a different reference: the sense here being, ‘Remember the saying, for it is true in this matter also:’ see Mat 10:24 , where it is used in the same sense. The subject of is as a noun of number.
A difficulty has been raised on , and some have wanted to give this word a hostile sense, (as ,) quoting Mat 27:36 , and Gen 3:15 (which is altogether an exceptional use, the reading being undoubtedly genuine): see also Jer 20:13 . But in John this cannot be. Nor is irony (Lampe, Stier) in this latter clause at all in keeping with the solemnity of the discourse. The words simply mean (as Thl.), ‘the keeping My word and the keeping yours are intimately joined, and when you find the world or any part of the world do the first, you may infer the other.’ The issue of . . . . was to be proved by their rejection and killing of the Lord Jesus.
Beware of rendering as Kuinoel, “ If they had kept my word, they would keep yours ,” which is ungrammatical. The only idiomatic rendering in English is that of the E. V., If they have kept [or rather, If they kept ] my word they will keep yours.
Joh 15:20 . . (from , mindful), “be mindful of,” sometimes used pregnantly, as in 1Th 1:3 ; Gal 2:10 ; “the words which I said to you,” viz. , in Joh 13:16 , and Mat 10:24-25 . The outcome of the principle is seen in 2Ti 2:11 , and 1Pe 4:13 . That He should speak of them as “servants” so shortly after calling them “friends,” shows how natural and appropriate both designations are, how truly service characterises His friends, and how He must at all times be looked upon as Supreme Lord. . “If they persecuted me, you also will they persecute; if they kept my word, yours too will they keep.” In so far as they are identified with Him, their experience will be identical with His. The attitude of the world does not alter. Bengel takes in a hostile sense, “infensis modis observare,” referring to Mat 27:36 , but in John is regularly used of “observing” in the sense of “keeping,” practising, see Joh 8:51 , Joh 9:16 , Joh 14:23 ; 1Jn 2:3-5 , etc.; Rev 1:3 ; Rev 3:8 , etc.
Remember. Referring to Joh 13:16.
have persecuted = persecuted (Aor.) Greek. dioko = to pursue (opposite to pheugo, to flee), here with malignant intent. It is translated thirty-one times “persecute”, and thirteen times “follow”, &c. in a good sense. Compare Act 9:4. In Luk 11:49 and 1Th 2:18 a stronger word, ekdioko, is used.
also, &c. = persecute you also.
have kept = kept (Aor.)
saying. Greek logos. Same as “word” above, and in Joh 3:25.
20.] Ch. Joh 13:16, but with a different reference: the sense here being, Remember the saying, for it is true in this matter also: see Mat 10:24, where it is used in the same sense. The subject of is as a noun of number.
A difficulty has been raised on , and some have wanted to give this word a hostile sense, (as ,) quoting Mat 27:36, and Gen 3:15 (which is altogether an exceptional use, the reading being undoubtedly genuine): see also Jer 20:13. But in John this cannot be. Nor is irony (Lampe, Stier) in this latter clause at all in keeping with the solemnity of the discourse. The words simply mean (as Thl.), the keeping My word and the keeping yours are intimately joined, and when you find the world or any part of the world do the first, you may infer the other. The issue of . . . . was to be proved by their rejection and killing of the Lord Jesus.
Beware of rendering as Kuinoel, If they had kept my word, they would keep yours, which is ungrammatical. The only idiomatic rendering in English is that of the E. V., If they have kept [or rather, If they kept] my word they will keep yours.
Joh 15:20. , I said) ch. Joh 13:16; Mat 10:24.– -, if they have persecuted: if they have watched) The if is not a mere condition, but has the force of affirming [As surely as they have]: and in tins passage is to watch in a hostile manner, as in Mat 27:36, Sitting down, they watched Him there (, at the crucifixion); Gen 3:15, The seed of the woman shall watch with hostile intent thy head, and thou shalt watch His heel: , .[361] They persecuted Him when doing good, Joh 15:24; they watched Him whilst He was speaking, Joh 15:22.-, also) Mat 10:25. Both are contained in the , all these things, Joh 15:21.
[361] I confess I prefer the Engl. Vers. If they have kept, i.e. as surely as they have not kept, etc. For is used in this very ch. ver. 10 in this sense, and is never found in any other sense in connection with , , etc. is the word used when a hostile intention is designed, Luk 4:7; Luk 14:1, etc.-E. and T.
Joh 15:20
Joh 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord.-The servant need not expect better treatment than the Master received. Those who persecuted him will persecute his disciples. Those who kept the word of Jesus will keep the words of his apostles.
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.-[Those who would persecute the Lord will persecute his followers also. Those who would receive the Lords words will also receive and keep their words. Some will persecute; others will accept the gospel. Christians must expect both results, persecution and glad reception, and be not disappointed in the persecution. This has been true since apostolic days. (Act 13:42-45).]
word: Joh 5:16, Joh 7:32, Joh 8:59, Joh 10:31, Joh 11:57, Joh 13:16, Mat 10:24, Luk 2:34, Luk 6:40, Act 4:27-30, Act 7:52-60, 1Th 2:15
if they have kept: 1Sa 8:7, Isa 53:1-3, Eze 3:7
Reciprocal: Num 12:1 – Miriam 1Sa 22:23 – he that seeketh 1Ki 22:24 – smote Micaiah Pro 7:1 – keep Mat 5:10 – are Mat 22:6 – the remnant Mat 24:9 – shall they Mar 8:35 – for Mar 10:39 – Ye Mar 13:9 – take Luk 10:3 – I send Luk 21:12 – before Luk 22:36 – But Joh 8:51 – keep Joh 12:26 – serve Joh 15:15 – I call Act 4:1 – the priests Act 5:33 – took Act 8:1 – there Act 9:16 – I will Act 12:1 – to vex Act 26:15 – I am Rom 1:1 – a servant 1Jo 4:5 – are 1Jo 4:17 – as Rev 3:8 – and hast kept
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The thoughts of this verse are the same that have been mentioned in preceding ones under different terms of relationship. In this passage the relation of ruler and servant is considered.
Joh 15:20. Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord: if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. The word referred to had been spoken at chap. Joh 13:16, in an apparently different sense, but really, alike there and here, with the same deep oneness of meaning. The disciples are in the position of their Master, are one with Him; therefore are they bound to the same duties and exposed to the same trials. The parallelism between the word of Jesus and that of His disciples is instructive. Lying at the bottom of all the language here employed is the great truth that what He has been they are to be.
Jesus reminded the disciples of the principle that He had mentioned when washing their feet (Joh 13:16). Then He used this principle to encourage them to serve one another. Now He used it to explain why they would experience persecution.
People normally treat a person’s servants as they treat him. Since unbelievers persecuted Jesus, His disciples should expect persecution too. Conversely if some people in the world followed Jesus’ teachings, some would also follow His disciples’ teachings. This is a more likely interpretation than the one that sees Jesus saying that since they had rejected His teaching they would also reject the disciples’ teaching (e.g., NEB). Some in the world did indeed believe Jesus’ teachings, and some would believe the disciples’ teachings.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)