John 15 - NIV Study Bible

15:1 I am. See note on 6:35; see also article. the true vine. See photos here and here. The vine is frequently used in the OT as a symbol of Israel (see, e.g., Ps 80:8–16; Isa 5:1–7; Jer 2:21 and notes). When this imagery is used, Israel is often shown as lacking in some way. Jesus, however, is “the true vine.”

15:2 cuts off. A reference to judgment (see note on v. 6). prunes. Pruning produces fruitfulness. In the NT the figure of good fruit represents the product of a godly life (Mt 3:8; 7:16–20) or virtues of character (see Gal 5:22–23; Eph 5:9; Php 1:11 and notes).

15:3 clean. See NIV text note on v. 2. the word. Sums up the message of Jesus.

15:4 Remain in me. The believer has no fruitfulness apart from union and fellowship with Christ. A branch out of contact with the vine is lifeless.

15:5 I am the vine. See note on v. 1. The repetition gives emphasis. remain in me and I in you. A living union with Christ is absolutely necessary; without it there is nothing. apart from me you can do nothing. Cf. Php 4:13 (see note there).

15:6 thrown into the fire and burned. Judged (see note on v. 2). In light of such passages as 6:39; 10:27–29 (see notes there), these branches probably do not represent true believers. Genuine salvation is evidenced by a life of fruitfulness (see notes on vv. 2,4,10; see also Heb 6:9, “things that have to do with salvation,” and note there; cf. Mt 7:19–23).

15:7 my words remain in you. It is impossible to pray correctly apart from knowing and believing the teachings of Christ. ask whatever you wish. See 14:13; 1Jn 5:14 and notes.

15:8 to my Father’s glory. The Father is glorified in the work of the Son (see 13:31 and note), and he is also glorified in the fruit-bearing of disciples (Mt 7:20; Lk 6:43–45).

15:10 keep . . . as I have kept. Again the importance of obedience (cf. 14:15,21,23), and again the example of Christ (see 14:31 and note). my love . . . his love. See vv. 12,14. Obedience and love go together (see 14:15,21,23; 1Jn 2:5 and notes; 5:2–3).

15:11 joy. Mentioned previously in this Gospel only in 3:29, but one of the characteristic notes of the upper room discourse (see 16:22,24 and note on 16:22; 17:13). Jesus desires his disciples’ joy to be complete (see also Introduction to Philippians: Characteristics, 4; see also Php 4:4; 1Th 5:16; 1Jn 1:4 and notes).

15:13 Christ’s love was demonstrated not only in his words but also in his sacrificial death (see Eph 5:25 and note).

15:15 servants . . . friends. A servant is simply an agent, doing what his master commands and often not understanding his master’s purpose. But Jesus takes his friends into his confidence. everything . . . I have made known to you. Although Jesus had let his disciples know as much as they were able to absorb of the Father’s plan, the revelation was not yet complete. The Spirit would make other things known in due course (see 16:12–13 and notes).

15:16 I chose you . . . so that . . . and so that. Disciples normally chose the particular rabbi to whom they wanted to be attached, but it was not so with Jesus’ disciples. He chose them, and for a purpose—to bear fruit (see v. 2 and note) and to receive from the Father what they asked in Jesus’ name. in my name. See notes on 2:23; 14:13.

15:18–19 world. Here refers to the human system that opposes God’s purpose (see note on 1:9).

15:21 They will treat you this way. Because Christians do not belong to the world, persecution from the world is inevitable. The basic reason is the world’s ignorance and rejection of the Father (cf. 16:3). name. See note on 2:23.

15:22 no excuse. Privilege and responsibility go together. But even though Jesus, “the true light,” had come into the world, “the world did not recognize him” (Jn 1:9–10). Those who rejected him were totally guilty and without excuse. If he had not come to them, they would still have been sinners, but they would not have been guilty of rejecting him directly (v. 24).

15:23 Contrast 13:20.

15:25 to fulfill what is written. See Ps 35:19 and note. Despite their opposition to Jesus and the law, they nevertheless fulfilled it because God’s purpose is always accomplished. Law. See notes on 10:34; 12:34.

15:26 Advocate. See note on 14:16. I will send. See notes on 14:16,26. Spirit of truth. See note on 14:17. goes out from the Father. Probably refers to the Spirit’s being sent to do the Father’s work on earth rather than to his eternal relationship with the Father. testify. See note on 1:7.

15:27 you also. Emphatic. Believers bear their testimony to Christ in the power of the Spirit (see Ac 1:8 and note). But it is their testimony, and they are responsible for bearing it. from the beginning. The apostles bore the definitive testimony, for they were uniquely chosen and taught by Christ and were eyewitnesses of his glory (Lk 24:48; Ac 10:39,41).