John Calvin Commentary John 15:25

"But [this cometh to pass], that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause." — John 15:25 (ASV)

But that the word may be fulfilled. What is contrary to nature appears to be incredible. However, nothing is more contrary to reason than to hate God. Therefore, Christ says that their minds were so poisoned with malice that they hated him without a cause.

Christ quotes a passage from Psalm 35:19, which, he says, is now fulfilled. This was not because the same thing did not happen previously to David, but rather to rebuke the obstinate malice of the nation. This malice reigned continually from age to age, being passed down from grandfathers to grandchildren in unbroken succession.

It is as if Christ had said that they were in no respect better than their fathers, who hated David without a cause.

Which is written in their Law. By the word Law, Christ means the Psalms. The whole doctrine of the Prophets was nothing other than an appendage to the Law, and we know that the ministry of Moses lasted until the time of Christ.

He calls it their Law, not as an expression of respect for them, but to wound them more deeply by a designation well known among them. It is as if he had said, “They have a Law transmitted to them by hereditary right, in which they see their morals vividly depicted.”