Matthew Poole and continuators on John 16:3

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me .

This is but what our Lord said as to his Father, ver. 21. of the former Chapter, (see the notes on that Verse) and teacheth us, That all persecutions of good men speak in persecutors an ignorance both of God the Father, and of Christ; and who ever they are that continue in such ignorance under the light of the Gospel, tho they be baptized, and make never so great a profession of Religion, yet will be under daily temptations to turn persecutors; for ignorance is here made the cause of persecution. And it is some alleviation of trouble to Gods suffering people, to consider that the persons that are the cause of their sufferings, neither know God the Father, nor Jesus Christ; and it is no wonder if they know not God, that they will not know, love, nor approve of them.

Marginal references: Chap. 15.21. 1 Cor. 2.8.