Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 15:1

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." — John 15:1 (ASV)

Using the vine metaphor, Jesus expands its scope to all believers and individualizes its application. He stresses certain features. The first is that there is a genuine stock. One must plant the right kind of vine or tree in order to assure the proper quality of fruit, for no fruit can be better than the vine that produces it. Jesus said, “I am the true vine” . Unless the believer is vitally connected with him, the quality of his fruitfulness will be unacceptable. There may be many branches, but if they are to bear the right kind of fruit, they must be a part of the real vine.

The second feature is that God the Father is the gardener. Success in raising any crop depends largely on the skill of the farmer or gardener. The relation of the believer to God is that of the vine to the owner of the vineyard. He tends it, waters it, and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.