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John 15:22

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 15:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.
John 15:22 — American Standard Version

Context — John 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But [this cometh to pass], that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
← John 15:21John 15:23 →
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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
“If I had not come and spoken unto them, etc.] The ignorance of the Jews is represented as inexcusable, since Christ was come, and had preached unto them; if he had not come and told them that he was the Messiah, they might have pleaded an excuse for their ignorance of him, and his mission, and of the Father that sent him: but inasmuch as he was come in the flesh, and came to them his own; and came also a light into the world, carrying along with him evidence, conviction, and demonstration, of his being the Messiah; speaking such words as never man did; preaching with such authority as the Scribes and Pharisees did not; declaring in plain terms he was the Christ of God, and that if they did…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(See on Joh 9:39-41). If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin--comparatively none; all other sins being light compared with the rejection of the Son of God. now they have no cloak for their sin--rather, "pretext."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And spoken unto them - Declared unto them the will of God, and made known his requirements. Jesus had not less certainly shown by his own arguments that he was the Messiah than by his miracles. By both these kinds of proof their guilt was to be measured. See John 15:26. No small part of the gospel of John consists of arguments used by the Saviour to convince the Jews that he came from God. He here says if he had not used these arguments, and proved to them his divine mission, they had not had sin. Had not had sin - This is evidently to be understood of the particular sin of persecuting and rejecting him. Of this he was speaking; and though, if he had not come, they would have been guilty of…”
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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
“They had not had sin - Not in this respect. John 15:23”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:22-24 But now they have no excuse: Jesus’ ministry provided both words (15:22) and works (15:24) as evidence that pointed to God. Once people have heard and seen him, they are accountable.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Joh 3:18-21, Joh 9:41, Joh 12:48, Joh 19:11; Eze 2:5, Eze 33:31-33; Luk 12:46; Act 17:30; Co2 2:14-16; Heb 6:4-8; Jam 4:17 cloak: or, excuse, Rom 1:20, Rom 2:1; Pe1 2:16 John 15:23”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification