Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 16:1-3

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God. And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me." — John 16:1-3 (ASV)

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

True followers of Christ must not expect to have the world's commendation. At first, the Jews persecuted the Christians; then the Romans took up the cruel work, and others have continued it, in some form or other, even to this day, for the persecution of the saints has not yet ceased.

There are many who still have hard times and have to endure trials of cruel mockings for Christ's sake. If you resolve to follow Christ, men will be sure to call you old-fashioned, ridiculous, Puritanic, and I do not know what else, yet what does it matter to you if they do? Your Master foretold that it would be so.