But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "without a cause" isn't just a poetic flourish; it highlights the sheer, irrational absurdity of the hatred directed at Jesus. It points out that their rejection wasn't based on any fault of his, but on a deep-seated, baseless opposition to God himself, a hatred that the ancient Scriptures had already foretold.
But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to his disciples, explaining why the world will hate them just as it hated him. He argues that their rejection of him stems from a deep-seated, unreasoning hatred, fulfilling ancient prophecies from the Old Testament scriptures they claimed to uphold. This sets the stage for his promise of the Holy Spirit, who will empower and comfort them in the face of this opposition.
Jesus quotes Scripture to explain the inexplicable: why people hated Him so intensely. It wasn't a random event; it was prophesied.
Jesus often pointed to the Scriptures—what He called 'the Law' in its broadest sense, encompassing the Old Testament—to show that His life and suffering were not accidental. In John 15:25, He quotes a passage that reflects His own experience: 'They hated me without a cause.'
Why would people hate Jesus so fiercely? The verse calls it 'without a cause,' pointing to a deeper, irrational hostility.
The phrase 'without a cause' (or 'gratuitously,' 'groundlessly') is key to understanding the nature of the opposition Jesus faced. It highlights that the hatred directed at Him was not a response to any wrongdoing on His part.
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Understand the original words
nomos · Greek Noun
Refers to the sacred scriptures of the Old Testament, which provide the authoritative moral and prophetic foundation for Israel. For Jesus, the Law is a divinely inspired witness that points toward His own life and ministry.
plēroō · Greek Verb
To fulfill is to complete or bring to its intended realization what was spoken by God through the prophets. The events of Jesus' life are not accidents but the purposeful actualization of the divine plan revealed in Scripture.
dōrean · Greek Adverb/Adjective
This phrase implies acting without a legitimate, rational, or moral justification. It signifies that the hostility directed toward Christ is entirely groundless, highlighting the irrationality and sheer wickedness of the rejection of God.
Jesus here points to the ancient Psalms, a core part of the Jewish Scriptures, as predicting the intense, groundless opposition He faced. This highlights that even His suffering was part of God's unfolding plan, foretold long before.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Psalms Composed
The Psalms, including those that speak of suffering betrayal and undeserved hatred (like Psalm 35 and 69), are written during the time of King David and later periods. These writings would become a foundational part of the Hebrew Scriptures.
c. 400 BC
Hebrew Scriptures Canonized
The collection of Jewish scriptures, including the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (which encompass the Psalms), is finalized and accepted as authoritative. This 'Law' becomes the central religious text for Jewish people.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus proclaims His message and performs miracles throughout Judea and Galilee, drawing both crowds of followers and intense opposition from religious and political leaders.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried by the Jewish religious authorities and the Roman governor, and ultimately crucified. This period marks the peak of the 'causeless hatred' prophesied in the Scriptures.
c. AD 60-70
Gospel of John Written
The Apostle John writes his Gospel, recording Jesus' life, teachings, and the events surrounding His ministry, death, and resurrection. This includes Jesus' own reflections on the opposition He faced.
This is a direct quotation from the Old Testament, highlighting how Jesus saw his own rejection reflected in the ancient words of this Psalm, emphasizing the theme of undeserved animosity.
Psalm 69:4Another key Old Testament passage quoted by Jesus, this Psalm speaks of intense suffering and hatred from enemies, serving as a prophetic parallel to the hostility Jesus faced.
John 12:34This passage shows Jesus acknowledging that the crowd's questioning about His identity relates to what 'their Law' says about the Christ, similar to how He applies 'their Law' to the hatred He experiences.
Romans 11:9-10Paul quotes from Psalms 69 and 109 (similar to John 15:25) to describe the spiritual blindness and rejection of Jesus by Israel, drawing a conceptual parallel to undeserved hatred.
Matthew 27:22-23This account of the crowd's demand to crucify Jesus, despite Pilate finding 'no reason' for it, powerfully illustrates the 'without a cause' hatred that John 15:25 speaks of.
vincentJohn 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."
Without a cause (δωρεάν)Gratuitously. Akin to δίδωμι, to give. Their hatred was a voluntary gift.
cambridgeJohn 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."
25 . in their law ] ‘Law’ is used in the wide sense for the O.T. generally. Comp. John 10:34 , John 12:34 , John 15:25 ; Romans 3:19 . without a cause ] The passage may be from either Psalm 69:4 or Psalm 35:19 : there are similar passages Psalm 109:3 and Psalm 119:161 . ‘Without a cause,’ gratuitously; so that here again they are without excuse.
The phrase "without a cause" isn't just a poetic flourish; it highlights the sheer, irrational absurdity of the hatred directed at Jesus. It points out that their rejection wasn't based on any fault of his, but on a deep-seated, baseless opposition to God himself, a hatred that the ancient Scriptures had already foretold.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples, explaining why the world will hate them just as it hated him. He argues that their rejection of him stems from a deep-seated, unreasoning hatred, fulfilling ancient prophecies from the Old Testament scriptures they claimed to uphold. This sets the stage for his promise of the Holy Spirit, who will empower and comfort them in the face of this opposition.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples, explaining why the world will hate them just as it hated him. He argues that their rejection of him stems from a deep-seated, unreasoning hatred, fulfilling ancient prophecies from the Old Testament scriptures they claimed to uphold. This sets the stage for his promise of the Holy Spirit, who will empower and comfort them in the face of this opposition.
"But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’" — The phrase "without a cause" isn't just a poetic flourish; it highlights the sheer, irrational absurdity of the hatred directed at Jesus. It points out that their rejection wasn't based on any fault…
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Last reviewed October 2026