Matthew Poole and continuators on John 16:2

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues : yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service .

The term Synagogue, as it is used often in Scripture to signifie those places of publick Worship which they had in Country Towns and Cities, is proper to the Iews; but as it signifieth an assembly of people met together in any place, it as well agreeth to other people as to them. Our Lord here, in pursuit of the argument which he hath been upon from the 18 verse of the former Chapter, forewarneth his Disciples, that when he should be taken from them, the Iews first should Excommunicate them as Hereticks, or Schismaticks: and I know not why, what our Saviour here saith, may not also be extended as a Prophecy of what hath since been done, and is yet doing under the Tyranny of the Pope.

As also the latter clause, which, tho at first was applicable to the Iews, who stoned Stephen upon a charge of blasphemy; in which it is apparent, that they thought they did God good service, and doubtless slew many others, yet certainly it also referred to others; even as many as shall do the same thing to the end of the World.

Marginal references: Chap. 9.2[illegible: 1 letter], 34. and 12.42.