What Does John 15:21 Mean?

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake (ἀλλὰ ταῦτα πάντα ποιήσουσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου/alla tauta panta poiēsousin eis hymas dia to onoma mou)—the phrase for my name's sake (διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου/dia to onoma mou) identifies the root cause of persecution: association with Christ's person and authority. Onoma (name) represents not merely a label but the full person, character, and claims of Jesus.

Persecution comes dia (because of, on account of) that name. Being identified with Christ—confessing His lordship, proclaiming His gospel, living according to His ethics—triggers world-hatred. This clarifies motive: believers aren't persecuted for obnoxious behavior but for Christ-identification. Peter later writes: "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye" (1 Peter 4:14), "let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (4:16).

Because they know not him that sent me (ὅτι οὐκ οἴδασιν τὸν πέμψαντά με/hoti ouk oidasin ton pempsanta me)—the ultimate explanation for persecution is ignorance of the Father. Oidasin means experiential knowledge, personal acquaintance, not mere information. Persecutors lack saving knowledge of God despite potential religious sophistication (cf. John 8:19: "Ye neither know me, nor my Father").

This reveals persecution's spiritual blindness. Paul, the zealous persecutor, later testified: "I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:13). Knowing the Father transforms hatred into worship, opposition into discipleship.