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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/15-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_15_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 15:22 - The Hatred of the World" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. 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But now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/esv/john/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/bsb/john/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/blb/john/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/kjv/john/15.htm">King James Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. <a href="/nkjv/john/15.htm">New King James Version</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/nasb_/john/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/nasb/john/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/nasb77/john/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/lsb/john/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/amp/john/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/csb/john/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/hcsb/john/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/asv/john/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/cev/john/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/erv/john/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/gwt/john/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If I hadn't come and spoken to them, they wouldn't have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/gnt/john/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> They would not have been guilty of sin if I had not come and spoken to them; as it is, they no longer have any excuse for their sin. <a href="/isv/john/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/msb/john/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/net/john/15.htm">NET Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin. <a href="/nheb/john/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/wbt/john/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. <a href="/wey/john/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have had no sin; but as the case stands they are without excuse for their sin. <a href="/web/john/15.htm">World English Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> if I had not come and spoken to them, they were not having sin; but now they have no pretext for their sin. <a href="/blb/john/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/ylt/john/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> if I had not come and spoken to them, they were not having sin; but now pretext they have not for their sin. <a href="/slt/john/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not sin and now they have no pretext for their sin.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/cpdv/john/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If I had not come and had not spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/nabre/john/15.htm">New American Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin; but as it is they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/nrsvce/john/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would be without sin; but now they have no excuse for their sins. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “If I did not come speaking with them, they would have no sin, but now there is no covering for their sin.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/godbey/john/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>If I did not come and speak to them, they had not sin: now they have no excuse for their sin.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Had I not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/mace/john/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> if I had not appear'd, and inform'd them, they would have been innocent: but now they have no excuse for their sin. <a href="/wey/john/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have had no sin; but as the case stands they are without excuse for their sin. <a href="/worrell/john/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Had I not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/15-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=5601" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/15.htm">The Hatred of the World</a> …21But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me. 22<a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come, go. ">I had not come</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: elalēsa (V-AIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">spoken</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eichosan (V-IIA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">they would not be guilty of sin.</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartian (N-AFS) -- From hamartano; a sin."></a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.">Now,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">however,</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">they have</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">no</a> <a href="/greek/4392.htm" title="4392: prophasin (N-AFS) -- A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext.">excuse</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">for</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-GFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sin.</a> 23Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. <a href="/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17</a> Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a> That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. <a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a> “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” <a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Matthew 11:20-24</a> Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ... <a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26-27</a> If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. <a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30-31</a> Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” <a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18-19</a> If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself. <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a> If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. <a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-40</a> Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ... <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a> “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-4</a> For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.they.<a href="/john/3-18.htm">John 3:18-21</a> He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God… <a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a> Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.<a href="/john/12-48.htm">John 12:48</a> He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.cloke.<a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:<a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1</a> Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.<a href="/1_peter/2-16.htm">1 Peter 2:16</a> As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-52.htm">Case</a> <a href="/luke/22-36.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Cloke</a> <a href="/luke/14-19.htm">Excuse</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/13-29.htm">However</a> <a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Pretext</a> <a href="/john/15-19.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/11-42.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/john/14-26.htm">Teacher</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/3-17.htm">Case</a> <a href="/john/19-2.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">Cloke</a> <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Excuse</a> <a href="/john/15-24.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/16-4.htm">However</a> <a href="/acts/23-20.htm">Pretext</a> <a href="/john/15-25.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/15-24.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/15-25.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/john/20-16.htm">Teacher</a><div class="vheading2">John 15</div>1. <a href="/john/15-1.htm">The union of Jesus and his members shown under the parable of a vine.</a> 18. <a href="/john/15-18.htm">The hatred of the world.</a> 26. <a href="/john/15-26.htm">The office of the Holy Spirit.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If I had not come and spoken to them This phrase highlights the significance of Jesus' incarnation and His direct communication with the people. The coming of Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a> and <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, which foretold the Messiah's arrival. His teachings and miracles provided clear evidence of His divine authority and identity. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, rabbis and teachers were highly respected, and Jesus' role as a teacher was central to His ministry. His words were not just informative but transformative, challenging the religious leaders and the people to reconsider their understanding of God and His kingdom.they would not be guilty of sin This statement underscores the increased accountability that comes with greater revelation. In biblical theology, sin is often understood as missing the mark of God's holiness and commands. Before Jesus' ministry, the people had the Law and the Prophets, but His coming brought a fuller revelation of God's will. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> explains that the Law makes people aware of sin, but Jesus' teachings brought a deeper understanding of righteousness and the nature of sin. The historical context of this passage involves the Jewish leaders' rejection of Jesus despite the clear evidence of His messianic identity, which heightened their culpability.Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin This phrase emphasizes the removal of any justification for unbelief or disobedience. Jesus' life and words were a direct confrontation to the religious status quo, leaving the leaders and the people without a defense for their rejection of Him. In <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>, Paul writes about how God's invisible qualities are evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse. Similarly, Jesus' presence and message made God's truth unmistakable. Theologically, this highlights the concept of revelation and accountability; with greater light comes greater responsibility. The rejection of Jesus, despite His clear revelation, is seen as a willful act of disobedience, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of human rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, explaining the implications of His ministry and teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, they are being prepared for the challenges they will face after His departure. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a> Implicitly referenced as those who have heard Jesus' words and seen His works, yet still reject Him. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Represents those who are in opposition to Jesus and His message, often characterized by unbelief and sin. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_jesus'_ministry.htm">The Event of Jesus' Ministry</a> The period during which Jesus taught, performed miracles, and revealed the truth about God, culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/accountability_for_revelation.htm">Accountability for Revelation</a> Jesus' coming and His words bring a higher level of accountability. When we hear the truth, we are responsible for our response. <a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a> Sin is not just a moral failing but a rejection of the truth revealed by Christ. Understanding this should lead to repentance. <a href="/topical/n/no_excuse_for_unbelief.htm">No Excuse for Unbelief</a> With the revelation of Christ, ignorance is no longer a valid excuse. We must examine our hearts and respond to His call. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_witness.htm">The Role of Witness</a> As followers of Christ, we are called to share His words, knowing that they bring both light and accountability to those who hear. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_light_of_truth.htm">Living in the Light of Truth</a> Our lives should reflect the truth we have received, striving to live in obedience and faithfulness to Christ's teachings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 15</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_judge_(john_8_15_vs._5_22).htm">Did Jesus judge others? (John 8:15 vs. John 5:22)</a> <a href="/q/how_does_matt_5_22_align_with_john_2_15.htm">Matthew 5:22 - How does equating anger with murder align with other biblical texts where anger seems acceptable (e.g., John 2:15)?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_blasphemy_defy_god's_mercy.htm">Mark 3:29: How does the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit align with or contradict the broader biblical teaching of a merciful and forgiving God?</a> <a href="/q/what_constitutes_willful_sin.htm">What constitutes willful sin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin.--In this and the following verses (<a href="/context/john/15-22.htm" title="If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.">John 15:22-25</a>) our Lord shows the sinfulness of the world's hatred, because it was in the face of His revelation to them by both word (<a href="/john/15-22.htm" title="If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.">John 15:22</a>) and work (<a href="/john/15-24.htm" title="If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.">John 15:24</a>). Apart from this revelation, their sin would have belonged to the times of ignorance, which God overlooked (<a href="/context/acts/17-30.htm" title="And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:">Acts 17:30-31</a>). It would have been the negative evil of men who know not. It was now the positive evil of men who, knowing the truth, wilfully reject it.But now they have no cloke for their sin.--Better, as in the margin, they have no excuse for their sin. The Greek phrase occurs only here in the New Testament. The word "cloke" as used with sin is familiar to us from the exhortation in the Book of Common Prayer. The idea is rather to cover up, to hide as with a garment, so that they may not be seen; whereas here the idea is of excuse for manifest sin.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22. - If I had not come, as the incarnate Word of God, if I had not fulfilled the promises and come forth from God into the world to reveal the Father, and spoken to them, made known to them the thought and Spirit of God, made it possible for them to know the essence of the only true God, they had had no sin; they would not have resisted the highest love, their alienation in this respect would not have been a violation of the most solemn and gracious demands of the Father. The greatest sin is the refusal of the most complete revelation, and by the side of this all other sin becomes comparatively trivial. Our Lord could not have spoken of the hatred of himself or his disciples (so Lucke and Meyer) as this sin, because it would have been obviously impossible to hate a non-existent revelation or revealer. It is the deeper fall which is consequent upon a deliberate rejection of the highest love. Formerly, they would have been in the condition of those whose sins of ignorance God overlooks (<a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a>), and to whose ἁμαρτήματα in the past God has exercised πάρεσις, in anticipation of the coming grace. But now (Luke in numerous places uses this expression to form a strong contrast) they have no excuse or pretext for their sin, or concerning their sin. They can plead no justification. The word πρόφασις is an λεγόμενον, and is not "cloak or covering," but "palliation or excuse" for manifest sin. So long as men have seen no deeper into the nature of God than they can go with the aid of mere phenomena or ratiocination on the details of creation, their fears and even their hatreds formulated into grim legend, or uncouth idols, or repellent hypothesis, are a natural outcome of a nature so corrupt; but they ought to have found in Christ a deeper revelation, a summons to service and adoring love. In rejecting the idea of God which I have set before them they have no excuse. St. Paul (<a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>) declares that those who have defamed the great characteristic of God which may be learned from nature are without excuse. Certainly our Lord does not say this here. <a href="/commentaries/john/15-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. I had not come ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. spoken ἐλάλησα (elalēsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. they would not be guilty of sin. εἴχοσαν (eichosan) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. Now, νῦν (nyn) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. however, δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. they have ἔχουσιν (echousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. no οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. excuse πρόφασιν (prophasin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4392.htm">Strong's 4392: </a> A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext. for περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. sin. ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/15-22.htm">NT Gospels: John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/15-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 15:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 15:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/15-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 15:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 15:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>