24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
Verses 24 and 25 develop further the idea of verses 22 and 23. This is the climax of Jesus’ argument about the divide between Him and the world system.
This verse transitions from word, to work, to the miracles of Jesus.
24 If [assumed not true] I had not done among them the works
The “if” here is contrary-to-the-fact (second class condition); that is, if Jesus had not performed miracles among them, but He did, in fact, do miracles that no one else did. These works of miracles were evidence of who He was.
which no one else did,
Jesus’ miracles were completely unique and distinctive. No one has ever performed miracles like He did. Miracles were the way that Jesus authenticated the truth of what He said. People come to God by supernatural means, not primarily by human means.
they would have no sin;
They would have no guilt—but in fact they do. The “if” clause in the Greek assumes that the premise is not true. The idea is that Jesus truly did miracles among them, so they did have culpability for their sin.
but now they have seen
Israel had direct exposure to the Light of the world, but they remained in darkness. They should have seen that Jesus’ works were the works of the Father. There was now an obligation resting on them to go positive in volition toward Jesus.
To reject the Father’s revelation made known by Jesus is a serious matter. To “have seen” who and what the Son is and reject Him is a violation of God of the highest order. The hatred of Israel toward Jesus was inexcusable.
and also hated both Me and My Father.
Jesus’ relation to the Father was unique; the Father was His possession in a special way—the Father was “My Father” to Jesus. The nation Israel rejected both Jesus and His unique Father. The nation was in a state of complete apostasy and operated under the satanic worldview.
“Hated” indicates that they hated Jesus in the past and they still hate Him (perfect tense).
PRINCIPLE:
People can see the truth but reject it for personal reasons.
APPLICATION:
The issue is not that people have been exposed to the truth; the problem is that they see what is true and reject it. “Men love darkness rather than the light” (Jn 3:19). People have a vested interest in rejecting what Jesus offers.
We bridge the gap between worldviews by coming to believe in the Father’s Mediator and mediation for the world. Jesus and His work bridges the chasm.
