John 15:23
“He who hates me, hates my Father also.”
What does John 15:23 mean?
Jesus is describing the inseparable connection between himself and God the Father. When he says this, he's claiming that rejecting him amounts to rejecting God himself, since his mission and character perfectly reflect the Father's will and nature. This challenges anyone listening to take their response to Jesus seriously, because it's not just about one teacher or movement, but about their fundamental stance toward God. For those going through doubt or wrestling with faith, this verse also works the other way: coming to know and accept Jesus is, in his view, a way of knowing and accepting the God who sent him.