ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for John 15

John 15:1–17 The OT frequently uses the vineyard or vine as a symbol for Israel, God’s covenant people. Note the two “vineyard songs” in Isaiah (Isa. 5:1–7; 27:2–6). However, Israel’s failure to produce fruit resulted in divine judgment. Jesus, by contrast, is “the true vine.” His followers live in him and produce fruit.

John 15:1 This is the last of Jesus’ seven I am sayings in this Gospel (see note on 6:35). True contrasts Jesus with OT Israel (see previous note); Jesus is the true Israel. The vinedresser refers back to Isaiah’s first vineyard song, which pictures God tending his vineyard (Isa. 5:1–7; compare Ps. 80:8–9).

John 15:2 Does not bear fruit seems to indicate that the person is not a true believer (see vv. 6, 8; compare 6:66). Fruit is an image for good results coming from the life of a believer (see Matt. 13:8; compare Gal. 5:22–23). He prunes describes the painful but necessary removal of negative things in believers’ lives so that the remaining branches may bear even more fruit.

John 15:3 clean. See 13:10–11.

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 covenant (see Ex. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:11–12; Ezek. 43:9). The repeated references to fruit bearing (also John 15:5, 8) reflect God’s primary purpose in creation (Gen. 1:11–12, 22, 28) and in redemption (John 15:8, 16). The OT prophets envisioned a time when God’s people would “blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit” (Isa. 27:6; compare Hos. 14:4–8).

John 15:5 nothing. Nothing of eternal value, that is, no spiritual fruit.

John 15:6 The person who does not abide in me does not have personal faith in Christ (see notes on v. 4; Ezek. 15:1–8; Heb. 6:7–8). Fire is a common symbol for divine judgment (e.g., Isa. 30:27; Matt. 3:12 and parallels; 5:22; 18:8; 25:41).

John 15:7 Two conditions are given for answered prayer: abiding in Jesus, and his words abiding in believers (thus transforming their thinking).

John 15:10–11 Obedience is all about joy. The OT prophets foresaw a great end-time rejoicing (e.g., Isa. 35:10; 51:3; 61:10; Zeph. 3:14–17). God threatened judgment if his people would not serve him “with joyfulness and gladness of heart” (Deut. 28:47–48).

John 15:12 Love must be the distinguishing mark of Jesus’ disciples (compare v. 13; Lev. 19:18; Mark 12:28–33).

John 15:13–14 You are my friends. In the OT, only Abraham and Moses are called friends of God (Ex. 33:11; Isa. 41:8). Jesus extends this privilege to all obedient believers.

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; Ephesians 1; also John 15:19). that you should go and bear fruit. The purpose of Christ’s choosing people is not only that their sins be forgiven and they have eternal life. It is also so their lives will be fruitful in fulfilling God’s purposes.

John 15:22 They would not have been guilty of sin does not mean all sin (see Rom. 3:23), but the specific sin of rejecting God’s supreme revelation in Christ (see John 15:18, 23, 24).

John 15:25 Compare Ps. 35:19; 69:4.

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 2:1–33; also note on John 7:39). When believers bear witness about Christ, the Holy Spirit works invisibly through their words. On the pronoun “he,” see note on 14:26.