But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Parallel translations
- KJV But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
- BSB But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
- NKJV But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
- NASB But this has happened so that the word that is written in their Law will be fulfilled: ‘They hated Me for no reason.’
- NLT This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Their groundless hatred fulfills what was written in the Scriptures: 'They hated me without a cause.' Even opposition to Christ unfolds within God's revealed plan.
Overview
Jesus cites the Psalms (Psalm 35:19; 69:4) to show that the world's causeless hatred was foretold. Calling it 'their law' highlights that their own Scriptures testify against them. This demonstrates that the rejection of the Messiah, though sinful and inexcusable, falls within the sweep of God's sovereign purpose and prophetic word.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Ps 109:3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
- Ps 69:4Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn’t take away.
- Ps 35:19Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
- Luke 24:44He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
- 2 Cor 11:7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
- 2 Th 3:8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
- Gal 2:21I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
- John 10:34Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’
- Ps 7:4if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
- Rom 3:24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
- Rom 3:19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
- Rev 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
- Rev 21:6He said to me, “I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
- John 19:36For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”
- Matt 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 15:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.