New International VersionThey will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
New Living TranslationFor you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.
English Standard VersionThey will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
Berean Standard BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
Berean Literal BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues; but an hour is coming that everyone having killed you will think it is to offer a service to God.
King James BibleThey shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
New King James VersionThey will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
New American Standard BibleThey will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God.
NASB 1995“They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
NASB 1977“They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
Legacy Standard BibleThey will put you out of the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
Amplified BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues and make you outcasts. And a time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is offering service to God.
Christian Standard BibleThey will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThey will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
American Standard VersionThey shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
Contemporary English VersionYou will be chased out of the synagogues. And the time will come when people will kill you and think they are doing God a favor.
English Revised VersionThey shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationYou will be thrown out of synagogues. Certainly, the time is coming when people who murder you will think that they are serving God.
Good News TranslationYou will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time will come when those who kill you will think that by doing this they are serving God.
International Standard VersionYou'll be thrown out of the synagogues. Yes, a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he's serving God.
NET BibleThey will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
New Heart English BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues, but an hour is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is offering a service to God.
Webster's Bible TranslationThey shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time cometh, that whoever killeth you, will think that he doeth God service.
Weymouth New TestamentYou will be excluded from the synagogues; nay more, the time is coming when any one who has murdered one of you will suppose he is offering service to God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
World English BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey will put you out of the synagogues, but an hour comes that everyone who has killed you may think to offer service to God;
Berean Literal BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues; but an hour is coming that everyone having killed you will think it is to offer a service to God.
Young's Literal Translation out 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;
Smith's Literal TranslationThey shall make you excluded from the synagogue: but the hour comes that every one having slain you should think to bring service to God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThey will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.
New American BibleThey will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.
New Revised Standard VersionThey will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor they will put you out of their synagogues; and the hour will come that whoever kills you, will think that he has offered an offering to God.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“For they shall put you out from their assemblies, and the hour will come when everyone who would kill you will think that he presents an offering to God.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThey will put you out of the synagogues; in deed, the time is coming, when he that kills you, will think that he is offering service to God.
Godbey New TestamentThey will put you out of the synagogues: but the hour is coming, that every one killing you may think he is offering service to God.
Haweis New Testament
They will put you out of their synagogues: yea, the hour is coming, that every one who killeth you will think he offers God a sacred service.
Mace New Testament
they shall expel you out of the synagogues: yea, the time is coming, when it will be thought an agreeable sacrifice to God for any one to take away your lives.
Weymouth New Testament
You will be excluded from the synagogues; nay more, the time is coming when any one who has murdered one of you will suppose he is offering service to God.
Worrell New Testament
They will put you out of the synagogues; yea, an hour is coming, that every one who kills you will think that he is offering service to God.
Worsley New Testament
for they will excommunicate you: yea, the time is coming, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he offersan acceptable service to God.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Persecution Foretold1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2They will putyouout of the synagogues.In fact,a timeis comingwhenanyonewhokillsyouwill thinkhe is offeringa serviceto God.3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.…
Cross References Acts 8:1-3And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 9:1-2Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Matthew 10:17-22But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. / But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. ...
Acts 26:9-11So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
John 15:18-21If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...
Luke 21:12-17But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors. / This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses. / So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. ...
Acts 22:4-5I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, / who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
Philippians 3:6as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.
2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Isaiah 66:5You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
Jeremiah 7:4-10Do not trust in deceptive words, saying: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ / For if you really correct your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, / if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, ...
Micah 3:5This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
Psalm 44:22Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Isaiah 66:5You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
Treasury of Scripture They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service. shall. John 9:22,34 Thesewords spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue… John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confesshim, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate youfrom their company, and shall reproachyou, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. the time. Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. Theseare a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Jump to Previous ExcludedFactHourIndeedKillethKillsMurderedOfferethOfferingOffersOutcastsServiceSupposeSynagogueSynagoguesThinkTimeJump to Next ExcludedFactHourIndeedKillethKillsMurderedOfferethOfferingOffersOutcastsServiceSupposeSynagogueSynagoguesThinkTimeJohn 16 1.Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;23.assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable.33.Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction.They will put you out of the synagogues.This phrase reflects the reality faced by early Christians, particularly Jewish converts, who were often expelled from synagogues due to their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. The synagogue was not only a place of worship but also a central hub for community life, so being cast out meant social and religious ostracism. This expulsion is documented in the New Testament, such as in John 9:22, where the parents of the man born blind feared being put out of the synagogue. Historically, this reflects the growing tension between Jewish authorities and the early Christian movement, which was seen as a heretical sect within Judaism. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
This prophecy by Jesus foreshadows the persecution that His followers would face, particularly from those who believed they were upholding religious purity. The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, exemplifies this mindset as he persecuted Christians, believing he was serving God (Acts 8:1-3, 9:1-2). This reflects a broader historical context where religious zeal often led to violence against perceived heretics. The phrase also echoes the Old Testament, where misguided zeal for God led to acts of violence, such as inNumbers 25:6-13 with Phinehas. This warning from Jesus serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the potential for religious fervor to be misdirected. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing a prophetic warning to His disciples about the persecution they will face. 2. DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' warning, representing all future followers of Christ who may face persecution. 3. SynagoguesJewish places of worship and community, significant as centers of religious and social life for the Jewish people. 4. PersecutorsThose who will expel and kill believers, believing they are serving God, reflecting a misguided zeal. 5. Future PersecutionThe event Jesus is predicting, where His followers will face severe opposition and martyrdom. Teaching Points Expect PersecutionJesus' warning prepares believers to expect opposition as a normal part of the Christian life. Misguided ZealRecognize that not all religious fervor is aligned with God's will; discernment is crucial. Faithfulness in TrialsBelievers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing severe persecution. Community SupportThe expulsion from synagogues highlights the importance of Christian community for support and encouragement. Eternal PerspectiveUnderstanding persecution in light of eternity helps believers endure temporary suffering for eternal rewards. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of John 16:2?
2.How can John 16:2 prepare us for potential persecution in today's world?
3.Why might people think they serve God by harming believers, as in John 16:2?
4.What Old Testament examples parallel the persecution described in John 16:2?
5.How should believers respond when facing hostility for their faith, per John 16:2?
6.How does John 16:2 encourage us to strengthen our faith community today?
7.Why does John 16:2 predict persecution for believers?
8.How does John 16:2 relate to historical events of Christian persecution?
9.What is the significance of being "put out of the synagogues" in John 16:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 16?
11.What is Jesus' religious identity?
12.How can I effectively witness for Christ?
13.What does the Bible say about Christian martyrdom?
14.What defines an eternal state?What Does John 16:2 Mean They will put you out of the synagoguesJesus forewarns His disciples that loyalty to Him will bring religious expulsion. •John 9:22 and 12:42 show this threat already hanging over believers who confessed Christ. • Being barred from the synagogue meant loss of community, livelihood, and social identity—yetActs 18:4-6 reveals Paul willingly accepting that cost for the gospel. • The warning underscores that persecution may first appear in familiar religious circles, not only from pagan society (Matthew 10:17).
In fact, a time is comingThe Lord marks this rejection as certain and near. •John 15:18-20 had just promised that hatred toward Him automatically spills over onto His followers. •Acts 5:17-18; 8:1-3; and1 Peter 4:12 show that “the time” arrived soon after Pentecost. •2 Timothy 3:12 reminds every generation that such seasons continue until Christ returns.
When anyone who kills youPersecution will escalate beyond exclusion to lethal violence. • Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:57-60) is the first New-Testament fulfillment. • James’s execution by Herod (Acts 12:1-2) and later church history confirm that the warning is literal, not metaphorical. •Revelation 6:9-11 reveals that martyrs remain a reality until the end of the age.
Will think he is offering a service to GodThe persecutor sincerely believes murder is worship. • Saul of Tarsus embodies this mindset—“zealous for God” while breathing threats and murder (Acts 9:1-2;Philippians 3:6). •Isaiah 5:20 cautions against confusing evil with good; misdirected zeal is still evil, however pious it appears. • This clause exposes the deceitfulness of sin: religious sincerity is no guarantee of truth (Matthew 7:21-23). Believers must therefore weigh every zeal by Scripture, not tradition or emotion.
summaryJohn 16:2 prepares disciples for the cost of allegiance to Christ: social exclusion, escalating hostility, even death, all perpetrated under the banner of religious devotion. Knowing this beforehand steels the believer’s heart, affirms the reliability of Jesus’ word, and calls us to steadfast faithfulness, confident that whatever men may do, our Lord sees, sustains, and ultimately vindicates His people. (2) They shall put you out of the synagogues.--Comp. Notes on John 9:22; John 12:42. Will think that he doeth God service.--Better,will think that he offereth to God a sacrificial service. The word rendered "doeth" in the Authorised version, is the technical word for offering sacrifice. (Comp.,e.g., Notes onMatthew 5:23;Matthew 8:4.) The word rendered "service" means the service of worship. This will be seen by a comparison of the other instances where it occurs in the New Testament--they areRomans 9:4;Romans 12:1, andHebrews 9:1;Hebrews 9:6. A Rabbinic comment onNumbers 25:13, is, "Whosoever sheddeth the blood of the wicked is as he who offereth sacrifice." The martyrdom of Stephen, or St. Paul's account of himself as a persecutor (Acts 26:9;Galatians 1:13-14), shows how these words were fulfilled in the first years of the Church's history, and such accounts are not absent from that history's latest page. . . . Verses 2, 3. - They (used impersonally, as the German man, or the French ou) shall make (or, declare) you excommunicate - ἀποσυναγώγους "put you out of the synagogue," expel you from the fellowship of your country's worship (cf. John 9:22 and John 12:42) - nay, further (the ἀλλὰ abruptly introduces a very much stronger assertion) an hour cometh, that - ἵνα is here, by Meyer and many others, said to involve a Divine order, purpose, or destiny, intended by the drawing on of the foreordained crisis; but it seems enough to convey by it the contemplated result (see Canon Evans, Expositor, 1882) - whosoever killeth you will deem that he is offering service - sacrificial homage - to God ( προσφέρειν; both these words are persistently used with this meaning. See, for προσφέρειν, Matthew 5:23; Matthew 8:4; Acts 7:42; Hebrews 5:1). The well-known quotation from 'Bammidbar Rabba,' fol. 329. 1, "Every one shedding the blood of the wicked is equal to him who offers sacrifice," may throw light on the expression. The intensity of the fanaticism was well exhibited in the persecution in which Stephen fell, and which St. Paul deemed worthy service, and one which he ought to have rendered ( Acts 26:9; Galatians 1:13, 14). The curse was long and deep and tragic, and Christ explains it by the awful reiteration, These things will they dobecause they have not known the Father, nor me (see John 15:22, etc.). He reiterates the explanation already given of the manner and form as well as the fact of the world's hatred.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek They will putποιήσουσιν(poiēsousin)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.youὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.out of the synagogues.ἀποσυναγώγους(aposynagōgous)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 656:Away from the synagogue, expelled from the synagogue, excommunicated. From apo and sunagoge; excommunicated.In fact,ἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.a timeὥρα(hōra)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610:Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.is comingἔρχεται(erchetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.whenἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.anyoneπᾶς(pas)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.whoὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.killsἀποκτείνας(apokteinas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.youὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.will thinkδόξῃ(doxē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380:A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.he is offeringπροσφέρειν(prospherein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4374:From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.a serviceλατρείαν(latreian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2999:Service rendered to God, perhaps simply: worship. From latreuo; ministration of God, i.e. Worship.to God.Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
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NT Gospels: John 16:2 They will put you out (Jhn Jo Jn) |
