· Translation: KJV

John 16:2They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.

The setting

Jerusalem, ~30 AD. Upper room, near midnight. Jesus revealing the shocking truth about religious persecution...

The emotion here: heartbroken but determined to prepare them for reality

The original word

latreian (λατρείαν) — sacred service, worship offered to God

Why it matters

Stephen became the first to fulfill this prophecy, stoned by religious leaders including Saul

Read with care

What most readers miss in John 16:2

The synagogue expulsion meant total social death — no business, no marriage, no community

Common misconceptionPeople think this only applied to the first century, but Christians are killed for faith more today than ever — often by people who think they serve God.

Bible Genome reading

John 16:2 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerJesus
Eragospel
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typenarrative
MarkProphecy

Emotional genome

Comfort power25%
Quotability75%
Memorability85%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone65%
Themes:persecutionmartyrdom

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open John 16

John 16:2 comes from the book of John, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 25% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include persecution, martyrdom. Notable phrases: put you out of the synagogues; whoever kills you. This verse contains prophecy.

Your reflection

What does John 16:2 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.