John 15:25

John 15:25 Meaning and Explanation

But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

The causeless hatred of the world fulfills the scripture: they hated me without a cause.

What Does John 15:25 Mean?

Jesus sets even this hatred inside the frame of Scripture, quoting the psalms of David: they hated me without a cause (Psalm 35:19; 69:4). What looks like the collapse of his mission is in fact the fulfillment of the written word; nothing that befalls him falls outside it.

The hatred of Jesus has never had a reason. He healed, fed, forgave, and spoke the truth, and the hostility he met was gratuitous — hatred given for nothing. There is steadying comfort here for all who suffer unjustly: the Righteous One was hated without cause before them, Scripture foresaw it, and God was not taken by surprise. The same word that foresaw the hatred carries the promises that wait on the far side of it.

John 15:25 in the Original Language

dorean (δωρεάν), 'without a cause' -- freely, for nothing; hatred given without any grounds.

Frequently Asked Questions About John 15:25

What does John 15:25 mean?

The causeless hatred of the world fulfills the scripture: they hated me without a cause.

Keep Studying John 15

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.