Topical Bible: Hatred to Christ is Without Cause

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of "hatred to Christ is without cause" finds its roots in the prophetic and messianic scriptures, particularly in the Psalms and the Gospels. This theme underscores the unjustified animosity and rejection that Jesus Christ faced during His earthly ministry, despite His sinless nature and mission of love and redemption.

Biblical Foundation

The prophecy concerning the unjust hatred towards the Messiah is found in Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4. Psalm 69:4 states, "Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without reason." This verse is often seen as a foreshadowing of the experiences of Jesus Christ, who faced baseless hostility from various groups during His life.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself refers to this prophecy in John 15:25, saying, "But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’" . Here, Jesus directly connects the ancient prophecy to the reality of His own experience, highlighting the fulfillment of Scripture in the events of His life.

Manifestation in the Life of Christ

Throughout the Gospels, the life of Jesus is marked by instances of unwarranted hatred and opposition. Despite His teachings of love, compassion, and truth, Jesus encountered resistance from religious leaders, political authorities, and even some of the people He came to save. The Pharisees and Sadducees, in particular, often sought to undermine His ministry, driven by jealousy, fear of losing their influence, and misunderstanding of His mission.

The Gospel of John provides numerous examples of this baseless hatred. In John 7:7, Jesus explains, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil." . This statement reveals that the root of the world's hatred lies in its resistance to the truth and light that Christ embodies.

Theological Implications

The unwarranted hatred towards Christ serves as a profound illustration of the fallen nature of humanity and the spiritual blindness that sin causes. It highlights the contrast between the holiness of Christ and the sinfulness of the world. Despite His perfect love and righteousness, Jesus was rejected by those He came to save, fulfilling the prophetic words of Isaiah 53:3, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief."

This theme also emphasizes the cost of discipleship for believers. Jesus warned His followers that they too would face hatred and persecution for His name's sake. In John 15:18-19, He states, "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." . This passage encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that their experiences of opposition are part of their identification with Christ.

Practical Application

Understanding that the hatred towards Christ was without cause can inspire believers to respond to opposition with grace and truth. It calls Christians to emulate Christ's example of love and forgiveness, even in the face of unjust treatment. Moreover, it reassures believers of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and hatred, as His resurrection and exaltation affirm His triumph over all forms of evil.

In summary, the theme of "hatred to Christ is without cause" is a significant aspect of biblical teaching that reveals the depth of human sinfulness and the profound love of Christ, who endured such animosity to bring salvation to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 69:4
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: they that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 15:25
But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hatred Without Cause
... beloved, in that sense certainly they hated Christ without a cause; for there was
nothing in Christ to excite their hatred"in fact, there was everything, on ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/hatred without cause.htm

The World's Hatred, as Christ Saw It
... this ignorance, which is sin, and is more properly named hatred, is utterly ... 'Without
a cause'; yes! ... is the way in which they recompense God in Christ for what ...
/.../the worlds hatred as christ.htm

The Eighth Book
... their teeth." [428] So is the hatred of the ... constantly with the devil, and these
incessantly with Christ. It was not without cause that within the cities of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the eighth book.htm

The Church and the World.
... they hated both him and his Father." This hatred was without any justifiable cause,
and therefore fulfilled of Psalm 35:19. "These words (Christ's words from ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the church and the world.htm

Christ or Satan.
... This was never more obvious than in the Person of Christ. ... Without Him the rabbis
would never have committed such ... For He knew what hatred His coming would arouse ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxviii christ or satan.htm

Its Source
... same Greek adverb is translated "without a cause" in John 15:25""they hated Me without
a cause." The world's hatred of Christ was "without a cause" so far as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/6 its source.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
... love, patience, long-suffering, meekness, hatred of sin ... not been found, that some
have complained without cause? ... with that single dependence on Christ that is ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vii how christ is.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan
... It was not so much because He appeared without worldly wealth, pomp, or ... But the purity
and holiness of Christ called forth against Him the hatred of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 30 enmity between man.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan.
... It was not so much because He appeared without worldly wealth, pomp, or ... But the purity
and holiness of Christ called forth against Him the hatred of the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /30 enmity between man and.htm

The Christ of the Gospels.
... great, whom he unmasked; he incurred their hatred; he voluntarily ... Is this transformation
without parentage? ... Let the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the gift of ...
/.../the christ of the gospels 2.htm