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John 15:20

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 15:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
John 15:20 — American Standard Version

Context — John 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
18If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before [it hated] you.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name`s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
← John 15:19John 15:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Remember the word that I said unto you, etc.] For their further consolation under the hatred of the world, he puts them in mind of a saying of his, which he had lately used, (<431316>John 13:16); to teach them humility, self-denial, and brotherly love, and elsewhere, as in (<401024>Matthew 10:24); for the same purpose as here; namely, to engage them patiently to bear the hatred of men, and all indignities and insults from them, for his name’s sake: the servant is not greater than the Lord: nor so great, and consequently not more, nor so: much deserving of respect, or to be treated in a better manner; suggesting, that Christ was their Lord and master, as he was, and they were his servants;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Remember the word that I said ... - At their first appointment to the apostolic office. See Matthew 10:24-25. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Joh 13:16; Mat 10:24; Luk 6:40. John 15:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:20 A slave is not greater than the master: See study note on 13:16. Jesus’ disciples should mirror him in every way, even in his experience of persecution and martyrdom.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“word: Joh 5:16, Joh 7:32, Joh 8:59, Joh 10:31, Joh 11:57, Joh 13:16; Mat 10:24; Luk 2:34, Luk 6:40; Act 4:27-30, Act 7:52-60; Th1 2:15 if they have kept: Sa1 8:7; Isa 53:1-3; Eze 3:7 John 15:21”
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Related study paths

Read John 15 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification