What is the meaning of John 15:25? But this is to fulfill Jesus frames the hostility He endures as the direct outworking of God’s sovereign plan. Nothing catches Him—or the Father—by surprise. • Matthew 5:17 reminds us that He came “not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them.” • Luke 24:44 shows the risen Christ pointing back to “everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” • Acts 13:27 underscores that even those who condemned Him unknowingly fulfilled prophecy. His suffering, then, is purposeful, foreknown, and essential to redemption. what is written The phrase underscores the absolute authority of Scripture. Jesus does not appeal to feelings, tradition, or majority opinion; He stands on the written Word. • 2 Timothy 3:16 affirms that “all Scripture is God-breathed.” • John 10:35 declares, “Scripture cannot be broken.” • In Matthew 4:4, He responds to temptation with “It is written,” modeling reliance on God’s Word as sufficient, final truth. in their Law: By saying “their Law,” Jesus references the entire Old Testament trusted by His hearers. He holds them accountable to the very Scriptures they profess to honor. • John 12:34 shows the crowd citing the Law when discussing Messiah. • 1 Corinthians 14:21 refers to Isaiah yet calls it “the Law,” demonstrating the broad use of the term for all inspired writings. Jesus’ wording exposes a tragic irony: those who cling to the Scriptures outwardly are missing their fulfillment standing right before them. ‘They hated Me without reason.’ This quotation blends Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, prophetic laments of David that find ultimate completion in Christ. • Hatred foretold: Psalm 69:4 says, “Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head,” foreshadowing the irrational enmity Jesus encounters. • Innocence affirmed: The phrase “without reason” insists there is no legitimate ground for rejecting Him (1 Peter 2:22-23). • Heart exposed: John 15:18-19 notes that the world hates Christ—and His followers—because it opposes God. • Redemptive purpose: Acts 2:22-23 shows God using this baseless hatred to accomplish salvation through the cross. • Ongoing application: When believers face hostility, they share in what was first directed at their Lord (2 Timothy 3:12). summary John 15:25 reveals that the hostility toward Jesus was neither accidental nor deserved. It fulfilled written prophecy, validated the authority of Scripture, and exposed human rebellion against a sinless Savior. By connecting His suffering to the ancient Word, Jesus assures us that God’s plan is unwavering and His purposes will stand—no matter how irrational the world’s hatred may appear. |
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