King James Version

What Does John 15:23 Mean?

John 15:23 in the King James Version says “He that hateth me hateth my Father also.” — study this verse from John chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“He that hateth me hateth my Father also.”

John 15:23 · KJV

Context

21

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. cloke: or, excuse

23

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24

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.

25

But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He that hateth me hateth my Father also (ὁ ἐμὲ μισῶν καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου μισεῖ/ho eme misōn kai ton patera mou misei)—this stark declaration establishes the inseparable unity of Father and Son. The present participle misōn (hating) indicates ongoing attitude, not momentary emotion. The verb misei (hates) repeats, showing identical hatred directed at both persons.

Jesus makes an absolute claim: you cannot hate the Son while loving the Father. This demolishes the common assertion "I believe in God but reject Jesus." Such a position is impossible—rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Father who sent Him, whose image He bears, whose will He embodies. As Jesus earlier declared, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).

This verse parallels John 14:9: "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father," and Matthew 10:40: "He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me." The corollary is equally true: rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Father. There is no neutral ground, no separated devotion to "God" apart from Christ.

This challenges religious pluralism and all attempts to honor God while dismissing Christ. Muslims claim to worship the God of Abraham while denying Christ's deity and substitutionary death. Jews claim covenant faithfulness while rejecting the Messiah. Jesus' claim is exclusive: hatred of Him equals hatred of the Father.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This declaration directly challenged first-century Judaism's self-understanding. Jewish leaders believed they honored the Father while opposing Jesus. They viewed Jesus as a blasphemer (John 10:33), Sabbath-breaker (John 5:16-18), and deceiver (John 7:12, 47). In their minds, rejecting Jesus demonstrated faithfulness to Yahweh.

Jesus exposes this as self-deception. The same authorities who claimed devotion to God crucified God's Son. Their zeal for the Father, divorced from recognition of the Son, wasn't worship but rebellion. Jesus makes sonship non-negotiable: "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Early Christians faced persecution from Jews who believed they served God by opposing the church (Acts 26:9-11, John 16:2). This verse provided theological clarity: such persecution revealed ignorance of both Father and Son. Paul's conversion demonstrated this—his zealous opposition to Christ was opposition to God, requiring radical repentance.

Church history shows repeated attempts to separate Jesus from the Father: Arianism denied Christ's full deity, Islam claims to worship Abraham's God while rejecting Jesus as Lord, liberal Christianity affirms "God" while reducing Jesus to moral teacher. Jesus' statement condemns all such division.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge religious pluralism and the claim that "all religions worship the same God"?
  2. What does it mean practically that there is no way to love the Father while rejecting the Son?
  3. How can we lovingly but clearly communicate this exclusivity to those who claim to honor God while dismissing Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
ὁ1 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐμὲ2 of 8

“me”

G1691

me

μισεῖ3 of 8

“He that hateth”

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

καὶ4 of 8

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν5 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα6 of 8

“Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου7 of 8

“my”

G3450

of me

μισεῖ8 of 8

“He that hateth”

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 15:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 15:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 John 1:9John 8:40-421 John 2:23

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