John 15:1

CHAPTER XV.

The union of Jesus Christ with his followers, represented by the

parable of a vine and its branches, 1-11.

He exhorts them to mutual love, 12.

Calls them his friends, and promises to lay down his life for

them, 13-15.

Appoints them their work, and promises them success in it, 16.

Renews the exhortation to mutual love, 17,

and foretells the opposition they would meet with from the

world, 18-21.

The sin of the Jews in rejecting Christ, 22-25.

The Holy Spirit is promised as a witness for Christ, and the

Comforter of the disciples, 26, 27.

NOTES ON CHAP. XV.

Verse John 15:1. 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.