John 15 - NIV First Century Study Bible

15:1–17 The vine. This passage may be rooted in Isa 5:1–7, where God is the Gardener and Israel the vineyard. Jesus’ claim to be the true vine might mean he is also the “true Israel,” giving the metaphor Messianic overtones as a symbol for the new Israel. To follow Jesus is to be connected to the true path and to the Gardener. The early church adopted vine imagery in the celebration of the Eucharist: “First, as regards the cup: We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David your servant.” (Didache 9:2.)

15:15 I have called you friends. The Greek word used here is philos (see note on Jn 11:11).

15:16 You did not chose me, but I chose you. Election and being chosen by God were important theological concepts to the first Christians (see Ro 8:23; Col 3:12; 1Pe 2:4). The Dead Sea Scrolls community also thought of themselves as being the elect or chosen of God. However, in this particular context, the phrase might simply have been a reminder of Jesus’ unconventional approach to choosing his disciples rather than his disciples pursuing him (see note on Mt 4:19).