John 17:14 Meaning and Explanation
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Because Jesus gave the disciples the Father's word, they are now estranged from worldly values and face the world's hostility.
The Context of John 17:14
Jesus acknowledges the cost of discipleship: the disciples will face the world's hatred because they now live by a different standard.
What Does John 17:14 Mean?
The disciples have received the Father's word through Jesus, and that word has transformed them. They are no longer conformed to the world's desires and ambitions. They have been set apart, marked as different. And the world, which Jesus defines not as the physical creation but as the system of values opposed to God's kingdom, has responded with hatred. This is not punishment but a natural consequence. When you step out of the world system and into God's kingdom, you become incomprehensible and threatening to those still trapped in the old story.
Yet Jesus does not regret this. He does not say, 'I wish I had been gentler so they would be accepted.' He is clear-eyed. To follow him is to become a stranger to the world's logic. But there is a hidden grace in this: being hated by the world, the disciples become ever more conscious of their true home, their true identity in God. Rejection from below strengthens loyalty to above.
John 17:14 in the Original Language
kosmos (Greek), 'world' -- here, the organized system of human society opposed to God; not the physical creation but the spiritual and moral order of human rebellion.
How to Apply John 17:14 Today
If you follow Jesus seriously, expect to be misunderstood or opposed by those still bound to worldly values. Do not be surprised or dismayed. Instead, let this clarify your identity: you are not of the world; you belong to Jesus and the Father.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 17:14
What does John 17:14 mean?
Because Jesus gave the disciples the Father's word, they are now estranged from worldly values and face the world's hostility.
What is the context of John 17:14?
Jesus acknowledges the cost of discipleship: the disciples will face the world's hatred because they now live by a different standard.
How can I apply John 17:14 today?
If you follow Jesus seriously, expect to be misunderstood or opposed by those still bound to worldly values. Do not be surprised or dismayed. Instead, let this clarify your identity: you are not of the world; you belong to Jesus and the Father.