George Hutcheson
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
In the third place, he subjoyneth two lenitives and encouragements to sweeten this hard lot, and make them digest it: The first (in this verse) is taken from the Original & cause of persecutors malice; which is their ignorance of the Father and him; Of which chap. 15.21. Doct. 1. Persecutors of Gods children, as taking no notice who they are, do bewray their ignorance of God and Christ, at least in so far as they persecute, were they never so good otherwise; for, and these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father nor me. 2. Men who are, and continue ignorant of God and Christ, are in hazard to turne persecutors, if they have the tentation; for, this being the cause of persecution, it is no wonder the effect follow upon it. 3. Albeit it be in it selfe a sad case, that so many men pretending to be for God, should yet be ignorant of him and his Son; yet it should sweeten the sad cup of sufferers, that they know their persecutors are so ignorant; for, the quarrel may comfort them, they need not fear them who are not approven of God; and, if he be not known, they should not take it ill, if they be not acknowledged for what they are, 1 John 3.1. therefore doth he comfort them, by letting them see this ignorance of persecutors.
