John 16:2
What does John 16:2 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:2 means
Jesus foretells social and religious exclusion—being expelled from synagogues—and even lethal violence presented as devotion to God. He unmasks a tragic irony: people may commit atrocities in the name of religion while thinking they serve heaven. This warns the disciples that opposition will come not only from irreligion but also from misguided zeal. Such exclusion is painful, severing them from community and identity, yet it does not signal divine rejection. Their suffering will not be random; it will be the cost of following Jesus in a world that misjudges Him and those who bear His name. Knowing this beforehand helps them count the cost without surprise.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They will put you out of the Synagogues: yes, the time is coming when whoever puts you to death will have the belief that he is doing God's pleasure.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862out of the synagogues they will put you; but an hour doth come, that every one who hath killed you, may think to offer service unto God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They shall put you out of the synagogues; but the hour is coming that every one who kills you will think to render service toGod;
Context
After stating His aim to keep them from stumbling, Jesus immediately identifies the kinds of trials ahead. Expulsion and martyrdom set the severity of what “stumbling” could be. This hard word frames the disciples’ coming experience after Jesus’ arrest and ascension. Next, He explains the spiritual cause behind such persecution: ignorance of the Father and the Son. Understanding the root helps make sense of the bitter fruit.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 10:28
And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame.
- Acts 26:9
I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Acts 9:1
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
- Romans 10:2
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
- Luke 6:22
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
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