John 15
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I am the true vine - Perhaps the vines which they met with, on their road from Bethany to Gethsemane, might have given rise to this discourse. Some of the disciples were probably making remarks on the different kinds of them, and our Lord took the opportunity of improving the conversation, according to his usual manner, to the instruction of their souls. He might here term himself the true vine, or vine of the right sort, in opposition to the wild and barren vine. Some MSS. and several of the fathers read the verse thus: I am the true vine, ye are the branches, and my Father is the husbandman. Some think that, as this discourse followed the celebration of the Eucharist, our Lord took occasion from the fruit of the vine, used in that ordinance, to introduce this similitude.
Open source ↗DISCOURSE AT THE SUPPER TABLE CONTINUED. (John 15:1-27) The spiritual oneness of Christ and His people, and His relation to them as the Source of all their spiritual life and fruitfulness, are here beautifully set forth by a figure familiar to Jewish ears (Isa 5:1, &c.). I am the true vine--of whom the vine of nature is but a shadow. my Father is the husbandman--the great Proprietor of the vineyard, the Lord of the spiritual kingdom. (It is surely unnecessary to point out the claim to supreme divinity involved in this).
Open source ↗I am the true vine,.... The fruit of which he had been just speaking of at supper with his disciples; and then informs them, that he himself is the vine from whence that fruit must be expected, which should be partook of by them in his Father's kingdom; for though Christ may be compared to a vine for its tenderness, weakness, and being subject to cuttings and prunings; all which may express his outward meanness in his birth, parentage, and education, Which exposed him to the contempt of men; the weakness of the human nature in itself, his being encompassed with the infirmities of his people, and his sufferings and death for their sakes; yet he is rather called so with respect to his fruitfulness: for as the vine is a fruitful tree, brings forth and bears fruit in clusters, so Christ, as man and Mediator, is full of grace and truth, of all spiritual blessings, and exceeding great and precious promises; from him come the wine of divine love, of Gospel truths and Gospel ordinances, the various blessings of grace, and the joys of heaven, which are the best wine reserved by him till last: Christ is the "true" vine; not that he is really and literally so, without a figure; but he is, as the Syriac renders it, , "the vine of truth". Just as Israel is called a noble vine, wholly a right seed, , "a seed of truth", Jer 2:21; right genuine seed; or, as the Septuagint render it, "a vine", bringing forth fruit, "wholly true"; to which the allusion may be here. Christ is the noble vine, the most excellent of vines, wholly a right seed, in opposition to, and distinction from, the wild and unfruitful, or degenerate plant of a strange vine: to him agree all the properties of a right and real vine; he really and truly communicates life, sap, juice, nourishment, and fruitfulness to the se…
Open source ↗Here Christ discourses concerning the fruit, the fruits of the Spirit, which his disciples were to bring forth, under the similitude of a vine. Observe here, I. The doctrine of this similitude; what notion we ought to have of it. 1. That Jesus Christ is the vine, the true vine. It is an instance of the humility of Christ that he is pleased to speak of himself under low and humble comparisons. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star, compares himself to a vine. The church, which is Christ mystical, is a vine (Psa 80:8), so is Christ, who is the church seminal. Christ and his church are thus set forth. (1.) He is the vine, planted in the vineyard, and not a spontaneous product; planted in the earth, for his is the Word made flesh. The vine has an unsightly unpromising outside; and Christ had no form nor comeliness, Isa 53:2. The vine is a spreading plant, and Christ will be known as salvation to the ends of the earth. The fruit of the vine honours God and cheers man (Jdg 9:13), so does the fruit of Christ's mediation; it is better than gold, Pro 8:19. (2.) He is the true vine, as truth is opposed to pretence and counterfeit; he is really a fruitful plant, a plant of renown. He is not like that wild vine which deceived those who gathered of it (Kg2 4:39), but a true vine. Unfruitful trees are said to lie (Hab 3:17. marg.), but Christ is a vine that will not deceive. Whatever excellency there is in any creature, serviceable to man, it is but a shadow of that grace which is in Christ for his people's good. He is that true vine typified by Judah's vine, which enriched him with the blood of the grape (Gen 49:11), by Joseph's vine, the branches of which ran over the wall (Gen 49:22), by Israel's vine, under which he dwelt safely, Kg1 4:25. 2. That b…
Open source ↗15:1-27 Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1 I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18; Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; 12:10-11; Ezek 15:1-5; Hos 10:1-2). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἀληθινός (alēthinós, G228) — truthful ἄμπελος (ámpelos, G288) — a vine (as coiling about a support) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are γεωργός (geōrgós, G1092) — a land-worker, i.e. farmer
Open source ↗πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole κλῆμα (klēma, G2814) — a limb or shoot (as if broken off) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καθαίρω (kathaírō, G2508) — to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
Open source ↗ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are καθαρός (katharós, G2513) — clean (literally or figuratively) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you
Open source ↗μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that κλῆμα (klēma, G2814) — a limb or shoot (as if broken off) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless
Open source ↗ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἄμπελος (ámpelos, G288) — a vine (as coiling about a support) ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) κλῆμα (klēma, G2814) — a limb or shoot (as if broken off) μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) ἔξω (éxō, G1854) — out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) κλῆμα (klēma, G2814) — a limb or shoot (as if broken off) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ξηραίνω (xēraínō, G3583) — to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you αἰτέω (aitéō, G154) — to ask (in genitive case) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with…
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) μέ (mé, G3165) — me κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
Open source ↗ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἐντολή (entolḗ, G1785) — injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my ἐντολή (entolḗ, G1785) — injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
Open source ↗μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient… ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)
Open source ↗ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.) ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἐντέλλομαι (entéllomai, G1781) — to enjoin ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.
On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.
For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.
Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining.
Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.
Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.
Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.