John 15 20

John 15:20 kjv

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.

John 15:20 nkjv

Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

John 15:20 niv

Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

John 15:20 esv

Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

John 15:20 nlt

Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

John 15 verses

John 15 20 Meaning

John 15:20 encapsulates a fundamental truth about Christian discipleship: the experience of a disciple will mirror that of the Master. Jesus reminds His followers of a recurring teaching that a servant is not superior to their master, establishing a direct connection between His destiny and theirs. This verse presents two possible outcomes based on how Jesus Himself was received: if He faced persecution, His disciples will also; conversely, if His message was embraced and obeyed, the message delivered by His disciples will similarly be received by some. It serves as both a warning and an assurance, predicting hostility for bearing His name and affirming that true obedience to Him will lead to others also obeying His word through them.

John 15 20 Context

John chapter 15, within the Farewell Discourse of Jesus (chapters 13-17), transitions from themes of unity with Christ through the Vine and Branches imagery (15:1-8) and the commandment to love (15:9-17) to a sober warning about the world's inevitable hatred for His followers (15:18-27). This particular verse, 15:20, serves as a direct explanation and grounding for the coming persecution. Jesus recalls a core teaching previously given (cf. Matt 10:24-25; Luke 6:40), setting the expectation that disciples' experiences will directly parallel His own. The historical context for the original audience, particularly the Apostles, included a Jewish society that largely rejected Jesus as Messiah, viewing Him as a threat to their religious traditions and political stability. Additionally, the broader Roman world eventually became hostile to Christians. This verse therefore prepares the disciples, and by extension all believers, for the reality of opposition, not as a sign of failure but as a mark of true identification with Christ. It directly counters any assumption of worldly acceptance or ease for followers of the Messiah, reinforcing the spiritual nature of His kingdom.

John 15 20 Word analysis

• Remember (μνημονεύω - mnēmoneuō): This is more than a passive recall; it implies bringing to mind with the intent to consider and act upon it. Jesus wants His disciples to internalize and live by this truth, not merely acknowledge it. It points to a previous, significant teaching that should inform their perspective.
• the word (τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Refers to a specific saying or teaching Jesus had previously given. This "word" is foundational, a guiding principle.
• I said to you (ἐγὼ εἶπον ὑμῖν - egō eipon hymin): Emphasizes Jesus' authority and the personal nature of the teaching given directly to His disciples.
• A servant (δοῦλος - doulos): A bondservant, a slave. Not a mere employee but someone who belongs entirely to their master. This term underscores complete subservience and absolute devotion, highlighting the disciple's subordinate position to Christ.
• is not greater (οὐκ ἔστιν μείζων - ouk estin meizōn): Directly asserts inferiority. A servant cannot exceed their master in status, authority, or, significantly here, in the nature of their experience.
• than his master (τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ - tou kyriou autou): Master (kyrios) denotes ownership and authority. The disciple's destiny is inextricably linked to the Master's.
• If (Εἰ - Ei): Introduces a conditional statement, setting up a logical consequence based on observation of what happened to Jesus.
• they persecuted (ἐδίωξαν - ediōxan): From diōkō, meaning to pursue, chase, oppress, harass, or cause suffering to. It signifies active hostility and physical/emotional ill-treatment. This persecution was aimed at Jesus.
• me (ἐμέ - eme): Highlights Jesus as the direct object of the world's hatred, the prototype of what His followers will endure.
• they will persecute (διώξουσιν - diōxousin): Future tense, indicating an assured reality. It is a promise of shared suffering.
• you also (καὶ ὑμᾶς - kai hymas): Emphasizes the identical nature of the experience for the disciples. Their identification with Him inevitably leads to the same response from the world.
• If they kept (εἰ ἐτήρησαν - ei etērēsan): From tēreō, meaning to guard, observe, obey, keep safe, preserve. This refers to accepting and acting upon the truth of Jesus' teachings.
• my word (τὸν λόγον μου - ton logon mou): Jesus' teaching, doctrine, and very message.
• they will keep yours also (καὶ τὸν ὑμέτερον τηρήσουσιν - kai ton hymeteron tērēsousin): Points to the continuity of the message. The world's response to the disciples' message will parallel its response to Jesus' message. Some will embrace it, just as some embraced Jesus' teachings.

• "Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'": This phrase forms the bedrock principle. It establishes a necessary spiritual identity between Jesus and His followers. Disciples are bound to replicate, to some extent, their Master's experience. It reminds them that true discipleship means walking in His footsteps, embracing humility and service rather than expecting worldly accolades or immunity from suffering. This principle would have resonated with Jewish teachings about the relationship between rabbi and student, where the student sought to emulate the teacher.
• "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.": This two-part conditional statement clarifies the implications of the "servant is not greater than master" principle. It presents the twin, co-existing realities of ministry in the world: opposition and acceptance. The world's response to the disciples' message and person is directly dependent on, and a reflection of, its response to Jesus. This explains why persecution is expected, and also offers a ray of hope that some will respond positively. The mirroring actions of the world highlight the deep spiritual unity between Christ and His church, so much so that treating the disciples is tantamount to treating Christ (cf. Acts 9:4; Matt 25:40).

John 15 20 Bonus section

This proverb about the servant and master appears in different contexts throughout the Gospels (Matthew 10:24, Luke 6:40), showing its significant pedagogical value to Jesus. Here in John 15, its application specifically pertains to the world's treatment of Jesus and, by extension, His followers. It emphasizes the prophetic nature of discipleship – living out the same truth that was rejected by the world in Christ's time will evoke a similar response in any age. This verse thus stands as an enduring principle for the church, reminding believers that the essence of discipleship is to mirror the life and message of Christ, including His suffering. The measure of success in this kingdom is not determined by worldly approval, but by faithfulness in reflecting the Master.

John 15 20 Commentary

John 15:20 provides Jesus' disciples, and indeed all future believers, with a clear and concise forecast of their engagement with the world. By reiterating the established proverb, "A servant is not greater than his master," Jesus frames the entirety of their future experience within the context of His own. This foundational truth removes any expectation of a privileged path for those who follow Him, making it explicit that their identification with Him guarantees a shared destiny of both rejection and acceptance.

The "if...then" structure profoundly illuminates this shared destiny. If the world hated and persecuted Jesus, who is perfect and brought truth and light, then it will naturally extend that hostility to those who represent Him and continue His mission. This persecution is not a failure of discipleship or a sign of God's displeasure, but rather an affirmation of authentic Christ-likeness and adherence to truth that often clashes with the world's values. Simultaneously, Jesus acknowledges that some did "keep" (meaning to accept, obey, and preserve) His word, offering the counterbalancing hope that some will also receive the message brought by His disciples. This dual prophecy manages expectations: suffering for Christ is a badge of honor, aligning believers with their Master's path, while the prospect of some receiving the message offers encouragement for the mission. Ultimately, the verse emphasizes solidarity with Christ's experience, providing a powerful reason to persevere in the face of adversity and to trust in the consistent outcome of sharing His truth.

Practical applications might include:

• Preparing for adversity: Understanding that resistance and hostility are part of Christian life, preventing surprise or discouragement.
• Finding identity in Christ: Seeing persecution not as personal failure, but as a direct result of belonging to Jesus.
• Persevering in witness: Knowing that even amid rejection, the message will find receptive hearts.