But this cometh to pass (αλλ'). Ellipsis in the Greek (no verb), as in John 9:3; John 13:18.

In their law (εν τω νομω αυτων). Cf. John 8:17; John 10:34 for this standpoint. "Law" (νομος) here is for the whole of Scripture as in John 12:34. The allusion is to Psalm 69:4 (or Psalm 35:19). The hatred of the Jews toward Jesus the promised Messiah (John 1:11) is "part of the mysterious purpose of God" (Bernard) as shown by ινα πληρωθη (first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω, to fulfil).

Without a cause (δωρεαν). Adverbial accusative of δωρεα from διδωμ, gratuitously, then unnecessarily or gratis (in two Koine tablets, Nageli) as here and Galatians 2:21.