What Does John 15:22 Mean in the King James?
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek word behind “cloke” means a pretext put forward as an appearance, and Jesus’ spoken truth leaves that appearance unable to cover the missing.
THE MEANING
This verse names a difference between not having received Jesus’ word and refusing it once it is spoken. When that word reaches you, a pretext can no longer hide what is missed.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a plausible explanation can keep a refusal hidden after the truth has become clear.
THE ROOT
πρόφασις
prophasis
GROWS FROM
φαίνω (phainō), the φαίν- word family
to appear or show; πρόφασις is a pretext or apparent reason put forward.
“Cloke” sounds like a covering, but the Greek names the appearance offered as an excuse. The verse says Jesus’ coming and speaking removes that pretext: what was missed can no longer stay hidden behind it.
ALSO GROWS
phainō: appear, show
φαίνω
The root brings appearance into view; the pretext is an appearance put forward to explain away the missing.
phaneroō: make visible, reveal
φανερόω
This related word names what happens when something hidden is brought into the open, echoing how Jesus’ speech exposes the pretext.
ἁμαρτία
hamartia
GROWS FROM
ἁμαρτ-
hamart-
to miss or err.
The established sense “missing” gives this verse a sharper edge: the issue is a missing made visible by the spoken word. English “sin” can sound like a general condition, while this root keeps attention on the particular refusal the verse exposes.
ALSO GROWS
hamartanō: miss, err
ἁμαρτάνω
The verb makes the word’s action clear: the missing is something done, not merely a label attached to a person.
hamartōlos: one who misses; a sinner
ἁμαρτωλός
This related form applies the same word family to a person, showing how a particular missing can mark a life.
THE PATTERN
When a word of truth is clearly received, refusal becomes visible and loses its pretext.
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;THE THREAD
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.Both verses use the Greek word ἁμαρτία (hamartia), “missing.” John 9 names claimed sight as the point where the missing remains exposed; John 15 names Jesus’ coming and speaking as what removes the pretext.
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