American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
John 15
1
I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 2:21
1 Corinthians 3:9
Isaiah 60:21
John 6:55
Isaiah 4:2
Jeremiah 12:10
Mark 12:1
Matthew 21:33
Hosea 10:1
Truth
1 John 2:8
2
Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Reference
4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.
Reference
5
I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
Reference
6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Reference
7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 37:4
1 John 5:14
John 14:13
John 15:16
Matthew 7:7
John 16:23
Galatians 5:16
1 John 2:27
Word
1 John 3:22
Jeremiah 15:16
9
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.
Reference
Love
John 17:26
Revelation 1:5
John 15:13
Jude 1:20
Parallel theme
1 John 2:28
John 15:11
Ephesians 3:18
10
If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Reference
Love
John 14:15
1 John 5:3
1 John 2:5
Parallel theme
John 4:34
John 8:29
1 Thessalonians 4:1
John 17:4
Word
2 Peter 2:21
Revelation 22:14
John 12:49
11
These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Reference
15
From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.
Reference
Creation
Colossians 1:26
Ephesians 3:5
Ephesians 1:9
Parallel theme
Matthew 13:11
James 2:23
Revelation 1:1
John 20:17
John 12:26
John 8:26
References Lord
Psalm 25:14
16
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Reference
19
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Reference
20
Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Timothy 3:12
Ezekiel 3:7
1 Corinthians 4:12
2 Corinthians 4:9
John 8:51
John 10:31
Luke 6:40
References Lord
John 13:16
Matthew 10:24
1 Thessalonians 2:15
21
But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Reference
22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 17:30
Romans 1:20
John 12:48
Romans 2:1
Luke 12:46
Ezekiel 2:5
Sin
John 9:41
James 4:17
1 Peter 2:16
23
He that hates me hates my Father also.
24
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 14:9
John 5:36
John 10:32
John 10:37
John 7:31
Matthew 9:33
John 3:2
Sin
John 9:32
Deuteronomy 5:9
25
But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 69:4
Psalm 35:19
2 Corinthians 11:7
Revelation 21:6
Romans 3:24
Word
Psalm 109:3
Luke 24:44
Romans 3:19
John 10:34
26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:1
Luke 24:49
Spirit
John 14:26
Acts 5:32
Acts 15:8
Hebrews 2:4
Truth
John 16:7
Witness
1 Corinthians 1:6
27
And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 4:20
Witness
1 John 4:14
John 21:24
Acts 23:11
Luke 24:48
Acts 1:8
1 Peter 5:12
1 Peter 5:1
Summary of John 15
John 15 continues Jesus' final teaching to His disciples by focusing on remaining connected to Him, producing spiritual fruit, loving one another, and remaining faithful when the world opposes them.
Jesus begins with the powerful image of a vine and its branches, declaring that He is the true vine and that the Father is the gardener.
The disciples are the branches, and their ability to produce fruit depends entirely on remaining connected to Jesus.
Jesus explains that the Father removes branches that produce no fruit and prunes fruitful branches so that they can become even more productive.
The picture communicates both spiritual accountability and spiritual growth because God desires His people not merely to exist but to develop lives that demonstrate His character.
Jesus repeatedly tells the disciples to remain in Him.
A branch cannot produce fruit by itself, and in the same way, believers cannot produce lasting spiritual fruit through their own strength while separated from Jesus.
The relationship must remain active and dependent.
Jesus then connects remaining in Him with allowing His words to remain in His disciples, showing that spiritual connection with Him involves listening to His teaching, trusting His promises, and allowing His words to shape their lives.
Jesus also teaches that prayer is connected with this relationship because those who remain in Him and allow His words to guide them will pray according to His purposes.
The result is that the Father is glorified when His disciples produce much fruit and demonstrate through their lives that they genuinely belong to Jesus.
Jesus then moves from the image of the vine to the subject of love.
He tells His disciples to remain in His love just as He has remained in the Father's love.
He explains that keeping His commandments is an expression of that love, meaning that genuine love for Jesus is not merely an emotion but produces obedience.
Jesus wants His disciples to experience His joy fully, so obedience is presented not as a burden but as part of the relationship that leads to lasting spiritual joy.
The central command is repeated: love one another as Jesus has loved them.
Jesus then gives the highest definition of this love by saying that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
The statement points directly toward His own crucifixion, where Jesus will demonstrate the very love He commands from His disciples.
He calls His disciples friends because He has revealed to them what He has received from the Father.
They are not merely servants who receive instructions without understanding the master's purposes; Jesus has brought them into a relationship of knowledge, trust, and mission.
He also reminds them that they did not ultimately choose Him first but that He chose them and appointed them to bear lasting fruit.
Their future ministry is therefore not accidental but part of the mission for which Jesus has called them.
The second major theme of the chapter is opposition from the world.
Jesus warns His disciples that the world will hate them because it hated Him first.
They should not be surprised when following Jesus creates conflict because they no longer belong to the world's values and priorities in the same way.
Jesus reminds them that a servant is not greater than the master, meaning that if He experienced persecution, His followers should be prepared for opposition as well.
At the same time, Jesus acknowledges that some people will receive the disciples' message because they are carrying His teaching.
The rejection of Jesus is presented as more serious than simple disagreement because those who reject Him are also rejecting the Father who sent Him.
Jesus says that His opponents have seen His works and heard His teaching but still refuse to believe.
Their rejection therefore cannot be explained simply by lack of evidence.
The chapter closes with Jesus returning to the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of truth will come from the Father and testify about Jesus, while the disciples themselves will also testify because they have been with Jesus from the beginning.
John 15 therefore presents a clear picture of what life as a disciple should look like after Jesus' departure.
A disciple should remain connected to Jesus, receive His words, produce spiritual fruit, obey His commands, love other believers sacrificially, remain faithful when rejected, and testify about Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The central message is that fruitful Christian life does not come from human strength but from remaining connected to Jesus, just as a branch receives its life from the vine.
At the same time, Jesus makes clear that remaining in Him will involve both love and sacrifice: His followers are called to love one another deeply while also understanding that loyalty to Him may bring rejection and persecution from the world.
The chapter ultimately points to a life of dependence, obedience, love, fruitfulness, perseverance, and witness, all flowing from a continuing relationship with Jesus.
Jesus begins with the powerful image of a vine and its branches, declaring that He is the true vine and that the Father is the gardener.
The disciples are the branches, and their ability to produce fruit depends entirely on remaining connected to Jesus.
Jesus explains that the Father removes branches that produce no fruit and prunes fruitful branches so that they can become even more productive.
The picture communicates both spiritual accountability and spiritual growth because God desires His people not merely to exist but to develop lives that demonstrate His character.
Jesus repeatedly tells the disciples to remain in Him.
A branch cannot produce fruit by itself, and in the same way, believers cannot produce lasting spiritual fruit through their own strength while separated from Jesus.
The relationship must remain active and dependent.
Jesus then connects remaining in Him with allowing His words to remain in His disciples, showing that spiritual connection with Him involves listening to His teaching, trusting His promises, and allowing His words to shape their lives.
Jesus also teaches that prayer is connected with this relationship because those who remain in Him and allow His words to guide them will pray according to His purposes.
The result is that the Father is glorified when His disciples produce much fruit and demonstrate through their lives that they genuinely belong to Jesus.
Jesus then moves from the image of the vine to the subject of love.
He tells His disciples to remain in His love just as He has remained in the Father's love.
He explains that keeping His commandments is an expression of that love, meaning that genuine love for Jesus is not merely an emotion but produces obedience.
Jesus wants His disciples to experience His joy fully, so obedience is presented not as a burden but as part of the relationship that leads to lasting spiritual joy.
The central command is repeated: love one another as Jesus has loved them.
Jesus then gives the highest definition of this love by saying that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
The statement points directly toward His own crucifixion, where Jesus will demonstrate the very love He commands from His disciples.
He calls His disciples friends because He has revealed to them what He has received from the Father.
They are not merely servants who receive instructions without understanding the master's purposes; Jesus has brought them into a relationship of knowledge, trust, and mission.
He also reminds them that they did not ultimately choose Him first but that He chose them and appointed them to bear lasting fruit.
Their future ministry is therefore not accidental but part of the mission for which Jesus has called them.
The second major theme of the chapter is opposition from the world.
Jesus warns His disciples that the world will hate them because it hated Him first.
They should not be surprised when following Jesus creates conflict because they no longer belong to the world's values and priorities in the same way.
Jesus reminds them that a servant is not greater than the master, meaning that if He experienced persecution, His followers should be prepared for opposition as well.
At the same time, Jesus acknowledges that some people will receive the disciples' message because they are carrying His teaching.
The rejection of Jesus is presented as more serious than simple disagreement because those who reject Him are also rejecting the Father who sent Him.
Jesus says that His opponents have seen His works and heard His teaching but still refuse to believe.
Their rejection therefore cannot be explained simply by lack of evidence.
The chapter closes with Jesus returning to the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of truth will come from the Father and testify about Jesus, while the disciples themselves will also testify because they have been with Jesus from the beginning.
John 15 therefore presents a clear picture of what life as a disciple should look like after Jesus' departure.
A disciple should remain connected to Jesus, receive His words, produce spiritual fruit, obey His commands, love other believers sacrificially, remain faithful when rejected, and testify about Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The central message is that fruitful Christian life does not come from human strength but from remaining connected to Jesus, just as a branch receives its life from the vine.
At the same time, Jesus makes clear that remaining in Him will involve both love and sacrifice: His followers are called to love one another deeply while also understanding that loyalty to Him may bring rejection and persecution from the world.
The chapter ultimately points to a life of dependence, obedience, love, fruitfulness, perseverance, and witness, all flowing from a continuing relationship with Jesus.