John 15:1-8
Chapter 15
The True Vine
I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower.If any of my branches don’t bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.
You have already been cleansed by the word I have spoken to you.
Remain in me as I remain in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you if you don’t remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit, because apart from me, you can do nothing.
Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away as they do with branches and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you.
My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.
Commentaries
The True Vine
Jesus is the true vine (1), the new Israel in opposition to the Old, which did not bear the expected fruit. He also contrasts with other vines that, compared to Him, have proved neither fruitful nor effective. The owner of the vine is the Father (1). The purpose of pruning is for the vine to produce abundant fruit (2). The branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off. The Father’s gift is matched by the disciple’s collaboration, which is characterized by remaining in Jesus (4). The act of bearing fruit has a double meaning. On one hand, the disciples must do so inwardly: they must remain in Jesus through brotherly love and, consequently, be “one.” On the other hand, they must do so outwardly: the disciples must commit themselves to the mission: “so that the world may believe that you sent me” (17:21b).