Devine Scripture

John 15:25

What does John 15:25 mean?

A plain-English look at John 15:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 15:25 means

Jesus explains that the world's hatred fulfills Old Testament prophecy, specifically quoting from "their law" (likely Psalm 35:19 or 69:4): "They hated me without a cause." This shows that their animosity, though wicked, was part of God's sovereign plan. It provides comfort and validation for the disciples, knowing that the rejection Jesus (and they) faced was foretold and, despite its injustice, served God's ultimate purposes, even in its irrationality.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

This comes about so that the writing in their law may be made true, Their hate for me was without cause.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but--that the word may be fulfilled that was written in their law--They hated me without a cause.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law: they hated me without cause.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that the word written in their law might be fulfilled, They hated me without a cause.

Context

This verse provides a crucial theological framework for understanding the world's hatred and persecution, demonstrating that these events fulfill Scripture. It shifts from explaining individual culpability to establishing the divine purpose behind the opposition, preparing for the promise of the Comforter who will empower their witness amidst this hostility.

v.24If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

v.25This passage

v.26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 2:21

    I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.

  • John 10:34

    Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

  • Revelation 21:6

    And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

  • Psalms 69:4

    They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: They that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: That which I took not away I have to restore.

  • Romans 3:24

    being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

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