John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that

Spoken to
Apostles

After the Last Supper, Jesus just said that people hate him after seeing him do what others cannot.

KJV

John 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.

NIV

John 15:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.

LISTENERS HEARD

Instead, in order that this logic might be fulfilled, that in this tradition of theirs, having been written that they hated me graciously.

MY TAKE

People's hatred can be a gift if they hate you for doing what is true.

GREEK ORDER

Instead, in order that it might be fulfilled, this logic, that in this tradition of theirs having been written that they hated me graciously.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Jesus is more light-hearted in the Greek. This is a good example. While Jesus is talking about being hated, he isn't bothered by it. Here, it seems that he liked it. He sees it as a "gift", which is the root of the Greek word translated as (KJV) "without a cause" and (NIV) "without reason." This  creates the punchline here which has more the sense of "they hated me graciously."

The finally adverb is based on the word "gift." Jesus is quoting Psalm 109:3 and the word translated as "without cause" in that verse is the Hebrew chinnam, which means "freely", "gratuitously," and "without cause." However, like the Greek dorian, it is taken from a very positive Hebrew word, chen, which means "favor", "grace", "elegance," and "charm." So its meaning is closer to "graciously."

This is the only verse where Jesus refers to "that law/tradition of theirs," which makes him seem oddly disconnected from his people's traditions and history. "The Law" is how Jesus refers to some books of the Old Testament, but not usually to Psalms.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
6
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "this cometh to pass" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is written" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been written."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "written" is not an active verb but a participle, "having been written."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "law" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "without a cause" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" should be something more like "might."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "logic" is not shown in the English translation. -
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "is written" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "having been written."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "written" is not an active verb but a participle, "having been written."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "law" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "without reason" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
EACH WORD of KJV

But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."

this cometh to pass, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "this cometh to pass" in the Greek source.

that --  The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

word -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root. 

might -- This helping verb "might" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

fulfilled - "Fulfilled" is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full."

that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

is -- -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

written -- (WT, WF) "Written" is the Greek verb that  means "to mark," "to express by written characters," "to write a letter," "to write down [a law]," and so on. The form is passive participle of an action completed in the past, "having been written."

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

law, -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.

They -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

hated -- "Hated" is a Greek verb meaning "to hate." The word is not primarily an emotion as it is in English. Instead, it is a negative state, not being devoted to someone and not liking them. See this article on Greek concepts of love for more information.

me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

without a cause. - (CW) "Without a cause" is from the Greek adverb that means "freely" and as an adjective, "as a free gift," and "underserved," from the word for "gift."

EACH WORD of NIV

But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."

this --  The word translated as "this" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause  "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."

is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

to -- (WW) This helping verb "to" indicates that the verb is an infinitive, but the verb is in the form of possibility, the subjunctive. This should be a "might." Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

fulfill - "Fulfilled" is a verb that means "to fill," "to fulfill," and "to fill full."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

missing "logic"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "logic"means  "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative."  It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root.

what -- The word translated as "what" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

is -- -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

written -- (WT, WF) "Written" is the Greek verb that  means "to mark," "to express by written characters," "to write a letter," "to write down [a law]," and so on. The form is passive participle of an action completed in the past, "having been written."

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of theirs."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.

law, -- The Greek word translated as "law" describes the social norms, which can be from "tradition," "common practice," or the "laws." Jesus uses it to refer to the first five books of the OT written by Moses. He did not use it to refer to civil or Roman law. See this article.

They -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

hated -- "Hated" is a Greek verb meaning "to hate." The word is not primarily an emotion as it is in English. Instead, it is a negative state, not being devoted to someone and not liking them. See this article on Greek concepts of love for more information.

me -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

without reason.. - (CW) "Without reason" is from the Greek adverb that means "freely" and as an adjective, "as a free gift," and "underserved," from the word for "gift."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."

ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "This" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when,"  but when beginning a phrase "that," "in order that," "when," and "because."

πληρωθῇ  [21 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass) "Be fullfilled" is pleroo, which mean "to fill," "to fulfill," "to make complete," "to pay in full," "to make pregnant," and "to fill full."

821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   

λόγος, [80 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Word" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."

[294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "That" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. 

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

νόμῳ [16 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Law" is nomos, which means "anything assigned," "a usage," "custom," "law," "ordinance," or "that which is a habitual practice." It is the basis of the English words "norm" and "normal."

αὐτῶν [720 verses](adj pl masc gen) "Their" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it  means "just here" or "exactly there."

γεγραμμένος [34 verses](part sg perf mp masc nom) "Is written" is grapho which means "to mark," "to express by written characters," "to write a letter," "to write down [a law]," "to proscribe," "to ordain," "to write for oneself," "to enroll oneself," "to draw signs," "to describe a figure" "to brand," and "to indict."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

Ἐμίσησάν [20 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "They hated" is miseo, which means "to hate" and in passive, "to be hated."

με [49 verses](pron 1st sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which is the objective first-person, objective, singular pronoun that means  "me."

δωρεάν.” [2 verses](adv)  "Without cause" is from dorean, which means "as a free gift," and "undeserved," from a root, dorea, that means "gift" and "present."

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings

Jesus saw it as the tradition among the Jews to persecute their prophets while they were alive and praise them after they are dead (see related verses listed), especially in Mat 5:12 of the Beatitudes where he says to rejoice and be glad when people persecute you, since they also persecuted the prophets.

When Christ says that hatred is a gift, he is also saying that it is freely given, that is, being given without having earned it, which is consistent with the KJV. This idea of what is and is not "owed" someone is also very central to Christ's overall philosophy.

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