A.T. Robertson Commentary John 15
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 15
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 15
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." — John 15:1 (ASV)
The true vine (η αμπελος η αληθινη). "The vine the genuine." Assuming that the Lord's Supper had just been instituted by Jesus the metaphor of the vine is naturally suggested by "the fruit of the vine" (Matthew 26:29). Αμπελος in the papyri (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary) is sometimes used in the sense of ampelon (vineyard), but not so here. Jesus uses various metaphors to illustrate himself and his work (the light, 8:12; the door, 10:7; the shepherd, 10:11; the vine, 15:1). The vine was common in Palestine. See Ps 80:8f. "On the Maccabean coinage Israel was represented by a vine" (Dods). Jesus is the genuine Messianic vine.
The husbandman (ο γεωργος) as in Mr 12:1; James 5:7; 2 Timothy 2:6. cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9, θεου γεωργιον (God's field).
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit." — John 15:2 (ASV)
Branch (κλημα). Old word from κλαω, to break, common in LXX for offshoots of the vine, in N.T. only here (verses 2-6), elsewhere in N.T. κλαδος (Mr 4:32, etc.), also from κλαω, both words meaning tender and easily broken parts.
In me (εν εμο). Two kinds of connexion with Christ as the vine (the merely cosmic which bears no fruit, the spiritual and vital which bears fruit). The fruitless (not bearing fruit, μη φερον καρπον) the vine-dresser "takes away" (αιρε) or prunes away. Probably (Bernard) Jesus here refers to Judas.
Cleanseth (καθαιρε). Present active indicative of old verb καθαιρω (clean) as in verse 3, only use in N.T., common in the inscriptions for ceremonial cleansing, though καθαριζω is more frequent (Hebrews 10:2).
That it may bear more fruit (ινα καρπον πλειονα φερη). Purpose clause with ινα and present active subjunctive of φερω, "that it may keep on bearing more fruit" (more and more). A good test for modern Christians and church members.
"Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you." — John 15:3 (ASV)
Already ye are clean (ηδη υμεις καθαρο εστε). Potentially cleansed (Westcott) as in 13:10 which see and 17:19.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me." — John 15:4 (ASV)
Abide in me (μεινατε εν εμο). Constative aorist active imperative of μενω. The only way to continue "clean" (pruned) and to bear fruit is to maintain vital spiritual connexion with Christ (the vine). Judas is gone and Satan will sift the rest of them like wheat (Luke 22:31f.). Blind complacency is a peril to the preacher.
Of itself (αφ' εαυτου). As source (from itself) and apart from the vine (cf. 17:17).
Except it abide (εαν μη μενη). Condition of third class with εαν, negative μη, and present active (keep on abiding) subjunctive of μενω. Same condition and tense in the application, "except ye abide in me."
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing." — John 15:5 (ASV)
Ye the branches (υμεις τα κληματα). Jesus repeats and applies the metaphor of verse 1.
Apart from me (χωρις εμου). See Eph 2:12 for χωρις Χριστου. There is nothing for a broken off branch to do but wither and die. For the cosmic relation of Christ see Joh 1:3 (χωρις αυτου).
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