John 16:1,2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

These things have I spoken, that you should not be offended I have informed you beforehand concerning the opposition which you are to expect from the world, and the proportionable supports which you will receive from the Holy Spirit, that you may not be discouraged in, or turned aside from, the path of your duty; by my leaving you, or by the troubles which you will meet with from my enemies and yours, whose rage will excite them to use all manner of violence and cruelty against you. They shall put you out of the synagogues The Jews will excommunicate you, as the most execrable of men: yea, whosoever killeth you, will think he doeth God service That he doth the most acceptable thing possible; or that he offers sacrifice to God, as Dr. Campbell and others render λατρειαν προσφερειν τω Θεω; observing, that as λατερεια properly signifies the public service of religion, when it is joined, as in this place, with προσφερειν, (to offer up,) can only mean sacrifice; and it is so rendered in the Syriac and Gothic versions. This gives a beautiful turn to our Lord's sentiment, which is, “The time shall come when the killing you will be thought a part of the worship of God, and equally meritorious and acceptable with the offering of sacrifices.” Archbishop Leighton's observation on the passage is, that “the servants of Christ should be considered not only as sheep for the slaughter, but as sheep for the altar too.” The rage of the persecuting enemies of God's church, and, beyond all comparison, the murders committed by Papal cruelty in the name of the Lord, in the hecatombs of whole burnt-offerings, (if an expression may be allowed which falls far short of the dreadful truth,) too justly illustrate the remark. But how justly God has already resented, and will still resent, the murder of his children upon his altar, the day in which he makes inquisition for blood does and will declare.