JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:1 The OT frequently uses the vineyard or vine as a symbol for Israel, God’s covenant people. Note the two “vineyard songs” in Isaiah 1:1 (Isaiah 5:1; Isaiah 27:2). However, Israel’s failure to produce fruit resulted in divine judgment. Jesus, by contrast, is “the true vine.” His... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:2 DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT seems to indicate that the person is not a true believer (see vv. John 15:6, John 15:8; compare John 6:66). FRUIT is an image for good results coming from the life of a believer (see Matthew 13:8; compare Galatians 5:22). HE PRUNES describes [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:3 CLEAN. See John 13:10. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:4 ABIDE IN ME means to continue in a daily, personal relationship with Jesus characterized by trust, prayer, obedience, and joy. (See note on 1 John 2:6.) AND I IN YOU probably means, “See that I abide in you.” The preposition “in” recalls OT texts regarding a future new covenan... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:5 NOTHING. Nothing of eternal value, that is, no spiritual fruit. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:6 The person who DOES NOT ABIDE IN ME does not have personal faith in Christ (see notes on v. 4; Ezekiel 15:1; Hebrews 6:7). FIRE is a common symbol for divine judgment (e.g., Isaiah 30:27; Matthew 3:12 and parallels; Matthew 5:22;... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:7 Two conditions are given for answered prayer: abiding in Jesus, and his words abiding in believers (thus transforming their thinking). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:10 Obedience is all about JOY. The OT prophets foresaw a great end-time rejoicing (e.g., Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 61:10; Zephaniah 3:14). God threatened judgment if his people would not serve him “with joyfulness and gladness of heart” (Deuteronomy 28:47).... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:12 LOVE must be the distinguishing mark of Jesus’ disciples (compare v. John 15:13; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:28). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:13 YOU ARE MY FRIENDS. In the OT, only Abraham and Moses are called friends of God (Exodus 33:11; Isaiah 41:8). Jesus extends this privilege to all obedient believers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:16 YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME. The disciples willingly followed Jesus when he called them. Jesus CHOSE them, however, before they followed (see Romans 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; also John 15:19). THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT. The purpose of Christ’s choosing people is not only that the... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:22 THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF SIN does not mean all sin (see Romans 3:23), but the specific sin of rejecting God’s supreme revelation in Christ (see John 15:18, John 15:23, John 15:24). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:25 Compare Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 15:26 THE HELPER is the Holy Spirit; see notes on 14:16–17; 14:26. WHOM I WILL SEND... WHO PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER. Both the Father and the Son will send the Holy Spirit into the world in new fullness at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1; also note on John 7:39). When believers BEAR WITNESS... [ Continue Reading ]