John 16:3 – “They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”
Extended Explanation
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as part of His final teaching before His arrest. He had just warned them about coming persecution—how people would reject them, cast them out of the synagogue, and even kill them, believing they were serving God (John 16:2). Now, He explains the root cause of such hostility: these persecutors do not truly know God.
This verse is a powerful statement about spiritual blindness. The people who opposed Jesus—many of whom were deeply religious—thought they were following God’s will, but they did not actually know Him. They followed rules, rituals, and traditions, but they failed to recognize God’s own Son standing before them. Because they did not know Jesus, they did not truly know the Father either.
This verse highlights an important truth: religion without a real relationship with God can lead people astray. It is possible to be zealous for religious practices while being completely disconnected from God Himself. Jesus warned that this was exactly what would happen, and history has proven His words true.
Historical Context
Jesus’ statement was directly aimed at the religious leaders of His time—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other Jewish authorities. They claimed to worship God, but when Jesus came, they rejected Him. They saw Him perform miracles, heard His teaching, and even witnessed His resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:43-46), yet instead of believing in Him, they plotted to kill Him.
The early Christians soon experienced this firsthand. Jewish authorities persecuted them, thinking they were protecting the faith. Saul of Tarsus (who later became the apostle Paul) was one of them. He actively hunted down Christians, believing he was doing God’s work (Acts 9:1-2). But after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, he realized he had been completely wrong—he had not known God as he thought he did (Acts 9:3-6).
This problem wasn’t limited to the first century. Throughout history, people have committed terrible acts in the name of God, believing they were righteous. From religious wars to persecutions, many have been convinced they were serving God while actually opposing His truth.
Theological Implications
This verse exposes a key problem: a person can be religious and still be far from God. Knowing God is not about following rules or traditions—it is about having a true relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Jesus clearly taught that knowing Him is the only way to know God. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Those who reject Jesus, no matter how religious they may be, do not truly know God.
This verse also reveals that spiritual ignorance is dangerous. The people who persecuted Jesus and His followers were not simply mistaken—they were spiritually blind. Without a real relationship with God, people are prone to deception, even thinking they are serving Him when they are actually opposing Him.
Literary Analysis
John 16:3 is a straightforward but deeply meaningful statement. It follows a cause-and-effect structure:
- Cause: They do not know the Father or Jesus.
- Effect: They persecute His followers.
This verse reinforces a major theme in John’s Gospel: knowing Jesus is the key to knowing God. Earlier in John 8:19, Jesus told the Pharisees, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” This theme runs throughout John’s writing—true knowledge of God comes only through Jesus.
The phrasing also carries a tone of sorrow. Jesus is not just warning His disciples about persecution; He is lamenting the spiritual blindness of those who oppose Him. Their rejection of Him is not just a personal offense—it is evidence that they do not truly know the God they claim to serve.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 14:7 – “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
- John 8:19 – Jesus told the Pharisees, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:8 – “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
- Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
- Matthew 7:21-23 – Jesus warns that many will think they are serving God but will hear Him say, “I never knew you.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse is a sobering reminder that religious activity does not equal a relationship with God. It is possible to go to church, read the Bible, and even serve in ministry without truly knowing Christ. The key question is not “Are you religious?” but “Do you know Jesus personally?”
It also helps us understand why some people today are hostile to Christianity. Some may believe they are doing the right thing by opposing biblical truth. But if they do not know Jesus, they cannot truly know God. This should not make us angry but should give us compassion for those who are spiritually blind.
For believers, this verse is also a call to stay close to Jesus. Our faith is not just about avoiding sin but about knowing Him deeply. When we truly know Him, we will not be led astray by false religion or spiritual deception.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
At first, this verse may not seem to reflect God’s love—it describes people who are spiritually lost. But when we look deeper, we see God’s love at work.
First, Jesus is giving this warning because He cares. He wants His followers to be prepared and not discouraged when opposition comes. He does not leave them unaware of what to expect.
Second, even though these persecutors do not know God, God still offers them grace. Saul of Tarsus was one of these people—he persecuted Christians out of ignorance, but Jesus reached out to him and transformed his life (1 Timothy 1:13-16). God’s love is so great that even those who oppose Him can be redeemed if they turn to Christ.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to this verse. The reason people reject God is that they reject Him. The only way to know God is through Jesus, and the only reason people do not know God is because they refuse to come to Him.
- Jesus revealed the Father – He came to show us who God truly is (John 1:18).
- Jesus was rejected – Many people, especially religious leaders, refused to accept Him (John 12:37-40).
- Jesus is the only way to God – No one can know the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
- Jesus offers redemption – Even those who once opposed Him can be saved if they turn to Him (Acts 9:3-6).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to truly know God? How is that different from just being religious?
- Have you ever encountered someone who opposed Christianity while believing they were doing the right thing? How did you respond?
- How does this verse challenge your understanding of spiritual blindness?
- What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus so that your faith is not just based on religious activities?
- How can you show compassion to those who oppose Christianity, knowing they do not truly know God?