John 15
In this passage, Jesus presents a profound metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the essential nature of the relationship between Himself, the Father, and His followers. The imagery emphasizes that true spiritual vitality and fruitfulness stem from a deep, continuous connection with Christ. The purpose of this union is not merely personal sustenance but the glorification of the Father through the fruit borne by the disciples. The text underscores the divine initiative in salvation and growth, pointing out that it is God who chooses and empowers believers to fulfill His commandments. This dynamic fosters a community animated by love, reflective of Christ’s sacrificial love, while also acknowledging the challenges and opposition that come from the world. The promise of the Holy Spirit as the Counselor assures believers of guidance and strength in their witness, grounding their identity and mission in Christ.
Core Bible study
John 15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
Original language
εγω ειμι η αμπελος η αληθινη και ο πατηρ μου ο γεωργος εστιν
Cross references
John 15:5: I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Isaiah 5:1: Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill.
Isaiah 5:2: He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a wine press therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
Psalms 80:8: You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it.
Psalms 80:9: You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land.
Matthew 7:17: Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18: A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Matthew 7:19: Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23: gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Romans 11:17: But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;
Romans 11:18: don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
Romans 11:19: You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”
Romans 11:20: True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;
Romans 11:21: for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Romans 11:22: See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
Ephesians 2:19: So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:20: being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
Ephesians 2:21: in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;
Revelation 22:2: in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Commentary
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John 15:2
Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Original language
παν κλημα εν εμοι μη φερον καρπον αιρει αυτο και παν το καρπον φερον καθαιρει αυτο ινα πλειονα καρπον φερη
Cross references
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Commentary
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John 15:3
You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Original language
ηδη υμεις καθαροι εστε δια τον λογον ον λελαληκα υμιν
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John 15:4
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
Original language
μεινατε εν εμοι καγω εν υμιν καθως το κλημα ου δυναται καρπον φερειν αφ εαυτου εαν μη μεινη εν τη αμπελω ουτως ουδε υμεις εαν μη εν εμοι μεινητε
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John 15:5
I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Original language
εγω ειμι η αμπελος υμεις τα κληματα ο μενων εν εμοι καγω εν αυτω ουτος φερει καρπον πολυν οτι χωρις εμου ου δυνασθε ποιειν ουδεν
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John 15:6
If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Original language
εαν μη τις μεινη εν εμοι εβληθη εξω ως το κλημα και εξηρανθη και συναγουσιν αυτα και εις πυρ βαλλουσιν και καιεται
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John 15:7
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
Original language
εαν μεινητε εν εμοι και τα ρηματα μου εν υμιν μεινη ο εαν θελητε αιτησεσθε και γενησεται υμιν
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John 15:8
“In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
Original language
εν τουτω εδοξασθη ο πατηρ μου ινα καρπον πολυν φερητε και γενησεσθε εμοι μαθηται
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John 15:9
Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
Original language
καθως ηγαπησεν με ο πατηρ καγω ηγαπησα υμας μεινατε εν τη αγαπη τη εμη
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John 15:10
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
Original language
εαν τας εντολας μου τηρησητε μενειτε εν τη αγαπη μου καθως εγω τας εντολας του πατρος μου τετηρηκα και μενω αυτου εν τη αγαπη
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John 15:11
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Original language
ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα η χαρα η εμη εν υμιν μεινη και η χαρα υμων πληρωθη
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John 15:12
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
Original language
αυτη εστιν η εντολη η εμη ινα αγαπατε αλληλους καθως ηγαπησα υμας
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John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Original language
μειζονα ταυτης αγαπην ουδεις εχει ινα τις την ψυχην αυτου θη υπερ των φιλων αυτου
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John 15:14
You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
Original language
υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε οσα εγω εντελλομαι υμιν
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John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
Original language
ουκετι υμας λεγω δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν
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Commentary
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John 15:16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Original language
ουχ υμεις με εξελεξασθε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας και εθηκα υμας ινα υμεις υπαγητε και καρπον φερητε και ο καρπος υμων μενη ινα ο τι αν αιτησητε τον πατερα εν τω ονοματι μου δω υμιν
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Commentary
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John 15:17
“I command these things to you, that you may love one another.
Original language
ταυτα εντελλομαι υμιν ινα αγαπατε αλληλους
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John 15:18
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Original language
ει ο κοσμος υμας μισει γινωσκετε οτι εμε πρωτον υμων μεμισηκεν
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John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Original language
ει εκ του κοσμου ητε ο κοσμος αν το ιδιον εφιλει οτι δε εκ του κοσμου ουκ εστε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας εκ του κοσμου δια τουτο μισει υμας ο κοσμος
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
This verse highlights the contrast between the followers of Christ and the world. The phrase "If you were of the world" indicates a state of belonging to worldly values and systems, which inherently contradicts the values of Christ's kingdom. The statement "the world would love its own" emphasizes that those aligned with worldly principles are accepted and favored by the world. However, Jesus declares, "But because you are not of the world," signifying a separation brought about by His choice of the believers, which conveys the significance of divine election. Finally, the conclusion "therefore the world hates you" illustrates the inevitable hostility that arises from this distinction, affirming that true believers can expect opposition due to their allegiance to Christ, underscoring the reality of spiritual conflict in the life of a Christian.
This verse highlights the contrast between the followers of Christ and the world. The phrase "If you were of the world" indicates a state of belonging to worldly values and systems, which inherently contradicts the values of Christ's kingdom.
The statement "the world would love its own" emphasizes that those aligned with worldly principles are accepted and favored by the world. However, Jesus declares, "But because you are not of the world," signifying a separation brought about by His choice of the believers, which conveys the significance of divine election.
Finally, the conclusion "therefore the world hates you" illustrates the inevitable hostility that arises from this distinction, affirming that true believers can expect opposition due to their allegiance to Christ, underscoring the reality of spiritual conflict in the life of a Christian.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
Original language
μνημονευετε του λογου ου εγω ειπον υμιν ουκ εστιν δουλος μειζων του κυριου αυτου ει εμε εδιωξαν και υμας διωξουσιν ει τον λογον μου ετηρησαν και τον υμετερον τηρησουσιν
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John 15:21
But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me.
Original language
αλλα ταυτα παντα ποιησουσιν υμιν δια το ονομα μου οτι ουκ οιδασιν τον πεμψαντα με
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John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Original language
ει μη ηλθον και ελαλησα αυτοις αμαρτιαν ουκ ειχον νυν δε προφασιν ουκ εχουσιν περι της αμαρτιας αυτων
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
In this verse, the phrase "If I had not come and spoken to them" underscores the revelatory purpose of Christ's coming. His teachings expose the realities of sin, thus making clear the moral responsibility of humanity. The latter part, "but now they have no excuse for their sin," emphasizes that the revelation of truth removes any plausible justification for their sinful actions. The Greek term for "excuse" is προφασιν (prophasis), which indicates a pretense or claim. In rejecting Christ, they hold a greater culpability for their sin, as they are now aware of their state and the truth He proclaimed. This serves as a reminder of the heightened accountability that accompanies knowledge and rejection of divine truth.
In this verse, the phrase "If I had not come and spoken to them" underscores the revelatory purpose of Christ's coming. His teachings expose the realities of sin, thus making clear the moral responsibility of humanity.
The latter part, "but now they have no excuse for their sin," emphasizes that the revelation of truth removes any plausible justification for their sinful actions. The Greek term for "excuse" is προφασιν (prophasis), which indicates a pretense or claim. In rejecting Christ, they hold a greater culpability for their sin, as they are now aware of their state and the truth He proclaimed. This serves as a reminder of the heightened accountability that accompanies knowledge and rejection of divine truth.
John 15:23
He who hates me, hates my Father also.
Original language
ο εμε μισων και τον πατερα μου μισει
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Commentary
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John 15:24
If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.
Original language
ει τα εργα μη εποιησα εν αυτοις α ουδεις αλλος πεποιηκεν αμαρτιαν ουκ ειχον νυν δε και εωρακασιν και μεμισηκασιν και εμε και τον πατερα μου
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John 15:25
But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Original language
αλλ ινα πληρωθη ο λογος ο γεγραμμενος εν τω νομω αυτων οτι εμισησαν με δωρεαν
Cross references
Psalms 35:19: Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
Psalms 69:4: Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn’t take away.
Isaiah 49:7: Thus says Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Yahweh who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Matthew 5:11: “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 5:12: Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Acts 7:52: Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
1 Peter 2:12: having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 John 3:13: Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Commentary
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John 15:26
“When the Counselorhas come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.
Original language
οταν δε ελθη ο παρακλητος ον εγω πεμψω υμιν παρα του πατρος το πνευμα της αληθειας ο παρα του πατρος εκπορευεται εκεινος μαρτυρησει περι εμου
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John 15:27
You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Original language
και υμεις δε μαρτυρειτε οτι απ αρχης μετ εμου εστε
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Commentary
No commentary
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