What does John 15:27 mean?
Recent verses mostly focused on how the world will hate Christians, specifically because Christians follow the teachings of Jesus (John 15:18–20). That hatred reflects unbelief; it's one of many ways those who hate truth attempt to resist it (John 15:21–25). As Jesus continues, with the verses starting chapter 16, He will return to that theme in more specific detail (John 16:1–4). For now, though, His intent is to preview the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:5–14).A major role of the Holy Spirit is to "bear witness" about Christ in the hearts and minds of believers (John 14:16; 15:26). The influence of the Spirit leads us towards the truth, which is Christ (John 14:6). This makes sense, since the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are both sent from God the Father (John 8:42; 14:26).
The reference to people being with Jesus "from the beginning" seems specifically aimed at the disciples. Their eyewitness accounts of Christ's teaching began at the very start of His public ministry. Those accounts would not merely inform the apostles as they spread the gospel. Those memories would also serve as the foundation of the written records we have preserved in the four Gospels and the book of Acts (Luke 1:2; Acts 1:21-22), as well as other writings of the New Testament (2 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:1).
Christians, themselves, also serve as reminders of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Greek root verb here is martyró …Ťeō, and the noun form is martys. In the literal Greek, this is someone who serves as a witness, such as in a legal setting, or who provides evidence. Over time, the term became associated with those who "gave evidence" of their faith by enduring violence and death: the modern English term is martyr.
That is the theme Jesus introduces in the next verses, as He explains the extent to which God's enemies will assault God's people.
