But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
Parallel translations
- WEB But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
- KJV But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
- 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 surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.
- Ps 69:4Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
- Ps 35:19Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.
- Luke 24:44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- 2 Cor 11:7Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Th 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Gal 2:21I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
- John 10:34Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?
- Ps 7:4if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,
- Rom 3:24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
- Rom 3:19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- Rev 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
- Rev 21:6And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.
- John 19:36Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
- Matt 10:8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
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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.