1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kiJleth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor rae.
4 But these things liave I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. Aud these things I said not
unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me ; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou ?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away : for if 1 go not away, the Com- forter will not come unto you ; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The opening verses of this chapter contain three im- portant utterances of Christ, which deserve our special attention.
For one thing, we find our Lord delivering a re- markable prophecy. He tells His disciples that they will be cast out of the Jewish Church, and persecuted even to the death: — " They shall put you out of the syna- gogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
How strange that seems at first sight ! Excom- munication, sufiering, and death, are the portion that the Prince of Peace predicts to His disciples. So far from receiving them and their message with gratitude, 6*