Jesus has stern words for the religious leaders who reject him. This is probably one of the worst: by rejecting him, they reject the Father. They have fully rejected God. This is a turn from what he has just finished talking about, where he reminded his hearers that they need to abide in him. This is the opposite side of the coin: not only are the religious leaders rejecting him, refusing to abide, but they are also in sin because of their rejection.