The World Hates Jesus and His Disciples

Updated - 13 June 2024

by Whitney V. Myers

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"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)

This lesson is the third in the series on "Christians and the World" (Ref. 1, Ref. 2).  This lesson explains why "the world" hates Jesus and his disciples.  This lesson also explains the scriptural basis for joy when Jesus' disciples (that is, we who believe in him) encounter the world's hatred.

The scriptures in this lesson are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 3).

     Consider.  Have you experienced the world's hatred because you are Christ's disciple?  Do you see the world's opposition to yourself or to Christians in general as a cause for joy? 

Biblical definition of "the world"

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

     Let's revisit the definition of "the world" from the first lesson in this series, "Biblical Definition of the World" (Ref. 1).  The Greek word for "the world" in the New Testament is kosmos.  In the New Testament, and particularly in the Gospel of John, kosmos is used in five ways:

• The world which God created - John 1:10
• All the people of the world - John 3:16
  
• People who do not know Christ - John 1:10, John 14:16-17
• People who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers - John 7:7, John 15:18-19, John 17:14
• The affairs of the world which seduce us from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ - 1 John 2:15-16
  
  

The main scriptures for this lesson, John 7:7 and John 15:18-19, refer to the fourth definition above for "the world" -- "people who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers."

Biblical definition of "hate"

"For not even His brothers believed in Him.  So Jesus said to them, 'My time is not yet here, but your time is always ready.  The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil.'"  (John 7:5-7)

     Let's look at the definition of the Greek word for hate.  The Greek word for hate used in John 7:7 and John 15:18-19 is miseó (pronounced mis-eh'-o) (Ref. 4).  Miseó means "to detest (on a comparative basis); to love someone or something less than someone (something) else; to renounce one choice in favor of another" (HELPS Word-studies - Ref. 4).  Note that according to this definition, hate involves making a choice - for example, whether to love Jesus or not to love Jesus.  We see the same Greek word used for hate throughout the New Testament, for example, in Matthew 5:43-44, Mark 13:13, Luke 16:13, John 3:19-20, Romans 7:15, 1 John 2:11, and Revelation 2:6.  

Yes, the world hates Jesus

     When Jesus spoke to his half-brothers who did not believe in him, Jesus said, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil" (John 7:7, Matthew 13:55).  Examples of evil deeds that Jesus pointed out to his adversaries include unbelief (John 8:21-24) and hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-15, 23).  Jesus also told his adversaries that their father was the devil (John 8:44).  That is why his "opposers" hated Jesus.  American theologian Albert Barnes wrote, "This was the main cause of the opposition which was made to him.  He proclaimed that men were depraved, and the result was that they hated him" (Ref. 5, Ref. 6).

Note, however, there is good news.  Even a former "hater" of Christ can be redeemed because Jesus has already shed his blood for them (Ephesians 1:7 ESV, 1 Peter 1:18-19).  James, one of Jesus' half-brothers, later became a believer in Jesus and a pillar of the early church (Matthew 13:55, Galatians 2:9, Acts 15:13). 

Yes, the world hates Jesus' disciples

     During the evening before his death, Jesus spoke many comforting words to his disciples (John chapters 14, 15, and 16).  Jesus was preparing them for his departure and for the hatred and persecution they would face.  Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (John 15:18-19).

In John 15:19, Jesus stated two reasons why the world hates his disciples:

• The world hates Jesus' disciples because they (and we who believe in and follow Christ) are not of the world.  Jesus' disciples had listened to and learned from Jesus.  Their lives had been changed by Jesus. They were no longer deriving their life, maxims, and pleasures from the world (Ref. 7).  Their chief source of information was from God's Son and his word, not the world.  Their spiritual father was God the Father, not the devil (John 8:42-44).
  
• The world hates Jesus' disciples because Jesus chose them out of the world.  Note that Jesus called each of the twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12-13).  Jesus designated them to his work and service (Ref. 8).  When we believe in Jesus and are fully committed to him, we no longer belong to the world.  Jesus also appoints us to his work and service, and sends us into the world for the purpose of serving him (John 17:18, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20).
  
  

Jesus gives his disciples joy

"These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."  (John 15:11)

     For we who believe in Jesus and follow him as his disciples:

• Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20).
• Jesus has given us his words that our joy may be full (John 15:11, John 17:13-14).
• Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit (the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth) to be with us and guide us (John 14:16-17, John 16:13, Ref. 9).  Note, the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, Ref. 10).
  
• Jesus gives us his peace, peace that the world cannot give, so we will be courageous and not be afraid in the midst of the world's hatred and tribulation (John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7).
  
  

     Apply.  Pray for yourself and those Christians in the world who are facing the world's hatred, opposition, and persecution.  Pray for yourself and those Christians to remain joyful and to have God's peace in the face of the world's hatred.

Related Lessons
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)
"The Holy Spirit Whom the World Cannot Receive" (John 14:16-17)
"Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2:15 Meaning"
"What Is Redemption?"  (Ephesians 1:7)

References
1.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
2.  Ref. 2 begins on the next line
https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-most-important-offer-you-will-ever-receive
3.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB/ 
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3404.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/7.htm
Barnes' Notes - John 7:7
6.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Barnes_(theologian)
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/15.htm
Pulpit Commentary - John 15:19
8.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/15.htm
Gill's Exposition - John 15:19
9.  https://www.ScriptureWay/home/the-spirit-of-truth
10.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/the-holy-spirit-whom-the-world-cannot-receive