But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled... — The words in italics are not found in the original, but they rightly complete the sense. For the phrase, “might be fulfilled,” comp. Notes on John 12:38; John 13:18.
That is written in their law. — Comp. Note on John 10:34.
They hated me without a cause. — The passage immediately referred to is probably that of the Messianic Psalm (69:4). The words are found also in Psalms 35:19 (see marg. ref.), and less distinctly in Psalms 109:3; Psalms 119:161. (Comp. especially Note on the quotation from this same Psalm in John 2:17.)
The words, “without a cause,” rightly express the meaning of the Hebrew word in the Psalm. The Greek follows the LXX., which expresses the thought “to no purpose,” or “in vain.” This is, however, not the idea of the context here. They had no reason for their sin, and therefore they hated Him without a cause. True were these words of many an earlier sufferer; but they were in their fulness true, they were “fulfilled,” only in the one sinless Sufferer.