John 15 24

John 15:24 kjv

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

John 15:24 nkjv

If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.

John 15:24 niv

If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.

John 15:24 esv

If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.

John 15:24 nlt

If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.

John 15 verses

John 15 24 Meaning

This verse asserts that the deliberate rejection of Jesus by those who witnessed His unprecedented miraculous works renders them utterly without excuse for their sin. Their decision to not only observe but also actively hate Him, given the overwhelming divine evidence He presented, means they simultaneously reject and hate God the Father. Their culpability is amplified because the very deeds He performed testified undeniably to His divine origin and authority.

John 15 24 Context

John 15:24 is situated within Jesus' Farewell Discourse (chapters 13-17) given to His disciples just before His crucifixion. Specifically, it forms part of a larger discussion about the world's inevitable hatred for Him and His followers (vv. 18-25). Following the illustration of the vine and branches (vv. 1-17), Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality of opposition. Verse 24 logically follows verse 23, which states that "He who hates Me hates My Father also." Jesus here provides the justification for the judgment that will fall upon those who reject Him: their hatred is not due to lack of evidence, but is a willful rejection despite witnessing undeniable divine proof through His unique "works." The historical and cultural context includes a Jewish society where signs and wonders were expected as markers of a prophet or Messiah, yet many Jewish leaders and people, due to their ingrained interpretations of the Law and messianic expectations, stubbornly refused to acknowledge Jesus as God's Son. Jesus is presenting a powerful polemic against their claims of spiritual discernment or righteous adherence to the Torah, revealing their actions as a deep-seated antagonism toward God Himself.

John 15 24 Word analysis

• If I had not done: This hypothetical statement implies that Jesus did perform these works. The phrasing, an unfulfilled past condition, highlights the gravity of their choice in light of the performed works.
• among them: Indicates direct, observable proximity. The works were not distant rumors but performed in their midst, leaving no room for ignorance or dispute about their occurrence.
• the works (τὰ ἔργα - ta erga): More than mere deeds; these refer to Jesus' miraculous signs and mighty acts, often described as 'wonders' and 'miracles' (τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα - terata kai sēmeia). In John, they are divinely empowered deeds meant to reveal God's glory and bear witness to Jesus' identity as the Son of God. These were the Father's works done through the Son (Jn 5:36, 10:37).
• which no one else (μηδεὶς - mēdeis): Emphasizes the unparalleled nature of Jesus' ministry. No other prophet, even great ones like Moses or Elijah, performed such a continuous and diverse range of miraculous works demonstrating mastery over nature, disease, and death, nor did any claim to be God in human flesh validated by such works. This uniqueness points to His divine origin.
• did (ἐποίησα - epoiēsa): The specific word for "did" or "made," indicating the tangible performance and reality of these powerful deeds.
• they would not have sin (οὐκ εἶχον ἁμαρτίαν - ouk eichon hamartian): This refers not to original sin, but specifically to the sin of unbelief and the culpable rejection of God's final revelation in Christ. Without the clear testimony of Jesus' works, their ignorance or disbelief could be mitigated; but with it, they lose all excuse, making their unbelief a direct offense against known truth.
• but now: Marks a stark contrast and shift from the hypothetical. The reality is that the works were done. This makes their current state of hatred a profound spiritual crime.
• they have both seen (ἑωράκασιν - heōrakasin): Perfect tense verb, meaning "they have seen and continue to see," indicating a completed action with lasting effect. It signifies not just a casual glance, but observation and even a certain degree of recognition. Their physical perception should have led to spiritual understanding.
• and hated (μεμισήκασιν - memisēkasin): Also a perfect tense verb, conveying a settled, enduring, and deliberate state of animosity and active opposition. It's a deep-seated rejection, a wilful malice, not passive indifference. This hatred is particularly egregious because it is directed at One who clearly demonstrated divine benevolence.
• Me and My Father as well (καὶ τὸν Πατέρα μου - kai ton Patera mou): This powerful coupling reiterates Jesus' inseparable unity with the Father. To hate Jesus is, by direct implication, to hate the God who sent Him and through whom these divine works were performed. It underlines the Trinitarian principle of their joint revelation and rejection.

• "If I had not done...they would not have sin": This phrase establishes the central point of increased moral responsibility. It's not just a theoretical claim but a divine accounting of how people's culpability is weighed against the light they've received. The absence of works would provide an alibi; their presence makes that alibi impossible.
• "the works which no one else did": This grouping emphasizes Jesus' unprecedented ministry, setting Him apart from all previous prophets and figures in history. The unique nature of His signs demands a unique response and confirms His unique identity as the Messiah, God's Son.
• "they have both seen and hated": This highlights the paradoxical and deeply tragic nature of their spiritual blindness and willful rejection. They had physical sight and perceived the "works," but instead of generating belief, it provoked an intense, deep-seated antagonism. This points to a heart issue that actively suppresses and rejects divine truth despite overt evidence.
• "Me and My Father as well": This climactic phrase reinforces the fundamental theological truth of Jesus' oneness with the Father. It is impossible to genuinely embrace God the Father while simultaneously rejecting God the Son, who perfectly reveals Him. The hatred shown to Jesus is an ultimate act of defiance against the very source of divine love and revelation.

John 15 24 Bonus section

This verse carries strong Old Testament echoes, particularly related to Israel's rebellion against God despite His clear and powerful interventions on their behalf. Like ancient Israel, who repeatedly turned against the LORD after witnessing His mighty deeds (e.g., in the Exodus, or through His prophets), those who reject Jesus after seeing His works demonstrate a similar hardened heart. Furthermore, Jesus' emphasis on His "works" serving as a witness against unbelievers prefigures the New Testament concept of God’s patience in offering revelation before ultimate judgment, a pattern observed from creation itself (Rom 1:20) and extended to the specific and unparalleled revelation in Christ. The unique nature of Jesus' deeds serves not just as evidence for faith, but also as undeniable grounds for condemnation for those who choose hatred instead of belief. This also establishes a crucial Christological point: understanding Jesus' identity and mission is fundamentally linked to observing and correctly interpreting His actions as coming from the Father.

John 15 24 Commentary

John 15:24 is a profound declaration of increased accountability. Jesus asserts that the multitude of unique, divinely attested works He performed left His rejecters without any legitimate excuse for their unbelief and hostility. These "works" were not merely random acts, but purposeful manifestations of God's power and character, bearing undeniable witness to Jesus' identity as the Son sent by the Father. The eyewitnesses saw the power of God operating through Him in ways never before seen in human history. Yet, their response was not awe or faith, but active, settled hatred, leading them to reject both the Son and, by direct extension, the Father. Their sin became one of willful rebellion against manifest truth, sealing their condemnation not out of ignorance, but out of active malevolence.

For practical application, this verse highlights the grave responsibility that comes with divine revelation. We, too, are exposed to Christ's message and the ongoing witness of the Holy Spirit. If we consciously suppress truth and cultivate an attitude of opposition despite knowing what is right, our guilt is compounded, for God will hold us accountable for what we have seen and heard.