Bible Strands
John 15:24
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His disciples during the upper room discourse, explaining the source of His Jewish opponents’ violent rejection. He identifies their hatred as a direct response to the unique divine works He performed among them.
The words — ἔργα (erga) translates to works, and αὐτοῖς (autois) means them, referring specifically to the hostile opponents rather than neutral observers. The conditional phrase τὰ ἔργα μὴ ἐποίησα (ta erga mē epoiēsa) literally renders “if I had not done the works.”
The thread — The testimony of divine works to Jesus’ identity is noted in John 5:36, while the link between seeing Jesus and seeing the Father appears in John 14:9. The fulfillment of hatred without cause connects directly to the quotation in John 15:25.
Why it lands — The text states that the opponents’ guilt arises from witnessing undeniable divine action and still choosing hatred. It asks the reader to confront whether their response to Christ’s revealed works is acceptance or rejection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 5:36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
- John 14:9 Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
- John 7:31 Many in the crowd, however, believed in Him and said, “When the Christ comes, will He perform more signs than this man?”
- John 9:32 Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
- John 10:32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
- John 10:37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.
- Deuteronomy 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
- Proverbs 8:36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
- Matthew 9:33 And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
- John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”