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

JOHN 15:25KJV
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John 15:25 (KJV)

What does John 15:25 mean?

John 15:25 says that the hatred Jesus faced from others happened so that what was written in their law—“They hated me without a cause”—would come true. This verse points out that Jesus’ rejection was not random, but fulfilled what Scripture had already said.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples during His final teachings before His arrest. He is explaining that the opposition and hatred He experiences are not unexpected, but actually fulfill words written in the Jewish Scriptures. By quoting “They hated me without a cause,” Jesus connects His own suffering to the experience of righteous people in the Old Testament, showing that He stands in a long line of those wrongly hated.

The Greek behind John 15:25

  • νόμος (nomos, G3551): This word means “law,” but here it refers more broadly to the Jewish Scriptures, not just the laws of Moses. Jesus uses it to show that the entire body of Jewish sacred writings pointed ahead to Him.
  • μισεῖν (miseō, G3404): This is the Greek verb for “to hate.” The verse uses it to highlight the depth and intensity of the rejection Jesus faced, which was not based on any wrongdoing.
  • δωρεάν (dōrean, G1432): This word means “without a cause” or “freely.” It emphasizes that the hatred Jesus received was undeserved and without justification.

Why John 15:25 matters

  • John 15:25 clarifies that Jesus’ suffering and rejection were not a surprise or a failure, but something already anticipated in Scripture.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ experience directly to the Old Testament, helping readers see the continuity between His life and the story of God’s people.
  • By saying the hatred was “without a cause,” John 15:25 highlights the innocence of Jesus and the unreasonable nature of the opposition He faced.

Where else these words appear

“cause” Greek G1432 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

“hated” Greek G3404 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
  • Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

“fulfilled” Greek G4137 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.