John 15:25
But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Jesus references Psalm 69:4: "They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head." This psalm is deeply messianic—verse 9 is quoted in John 2:17 ("zeal for thine house hath eaten me up"), verse 21 is fulfilled at the crucifixion ("they gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink"), and verse 25 is applied to Judas in Acts 1:20.
By identifying His experience with Psalm 69, Jesus claims messianic identity and explains His suffering as prophetically predetermined. The hatred He faced wasn't divine failure but scriptural fulfillment. God foreknew and foretold the Messiah's rejection; this didn't prevent the cross but proved Jesus' identity as the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.
The phrase "their law" is poignant—the Scriptures given by God, which testify of Christ (John 5:39), became "theirs" in possessive but not submissive sense. They owned the text but missed the meaning, read the words but rejected the Word made flesh.
Early Christians used this verse apologetically, showing Jewish rejection of Jesus fulfilled rather than contradicted Scripture. Messiah must suffer (Luke 24:25-27, Acts 17:2-3); opposition proved rather than disproved Jesus' identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that Christ's rejection fulfilled prophecy strengthen faith when facing opposition?
- What does "without a cause" reveal about the nature of persecution—that it often stems from the persecutor's darkness rather than the persecuted's failure?
- How can believers respond redemptively to causeless hatred while trusting God's sovereign purposes in suffering?
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Analysis & Commentary
But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law (ἀλλ' ἵνα πληρωθῇ ὁ λόγος ὁ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ αὐτῶν γεγραμμένος/all' hina plērōthē ho logos ho en tō nomō autōn gegrammenos)—the purpose clause hina plērōthē (that it might be fulfilled) shows divine sovereignty orchestrating even human hatred to accomplish scriptural prophecy. Plēroō (to fulfill) means to bring to completion, to satisfy fully.
The phrase in their law (ἐν τῷ νόμῳ αὐτῶν/en tō nomō autōn) uses "law" (nomos) broadly for all Scripture, here specifically the Psalms. Jesus calls it "their law" not disowning it, but emphasizing that the very Scriptures they claimed as authority condemned their rejection of Messiah.
They hated me without a cause (ἐμίσησάν με δωρεάν/emisēsan me dōrean) quotes Psalm 69:4 (also Psalm 35:19). The adverb dōrean literally means "as a free gift"—gratuitously, without reason, undeservedly. Jesus gave them perfect teaching, sinless example, compassionate healings, miraculous signs—yet they responded with causeless hatred.
This fulfills David's prophetic experience as type of Christ. David suffered unjust persecution despite serving God faithfully; Jesus suffered ultimate injustice despite being God incarnate serving humanity perfectly. The causeless hatred proves not Jesus' guilt but humanity's depravity. When perfect love meets fallen humanity, hatred results—not because love deserves it, but because darkness hates light (John 3:19-20).