John 15:21-25

“ But they will do all this to you for my name's sake, because they know not him who sent me. 22. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23. He who hates me, hates my Father also. 24. If I had not done among them works such as no other has done, they would not have had sin; but now they have seen, and nevertheless have hated both me and my Father. 25. But this is so, that the word may be fulfilled, which is written in their law: They hated me without a cause. ”

The apostles should not be disturbed because of this so general hatred, imagining that they have themselves provoked it, and believing that they see in it the proof that they are on a wrong path: “ But (ἀλλά) take courage; it is because of me.” “ Because of my name,” says Jesus; that is, because of the revelation of my person which you have received, and which you will declare to them.

The reason why this revelation, which should make Israel rejoice, will exasperate that people, is that they do not truly know God. The idea of God has been perverted in the heart of this people. This is the reason why they are offended at the appearance of Jesus, and will be offended at the preaching of His apostles. The book of the Gospels is the setting forth of the first of these facts, and the book of the Acts that of the second. In consequence of their blindness, Israel will rather see in the holiest man an impostor than the one sent from God.