John 15

The True Vine

True Vine — the genuine source of life; Israel was God's vine, and Jesus is the faithful Vine that bears fruit

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:1–8

Branches live only by staying connected to the vine. Disciples bear good fruit only by abiding in Christ, and the Father tends and prunes them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 5:1-7 — Israel as the Lord's vineyard that brought forth wild grapes.
• alludes to Psalm 80:8 — "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt."

Abide in my love

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:9–11

Jesus passes the Father's love on to His disciples and models how to stay in it: by keeping commandments, as He kept His Father's.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

He lays down His life for His friends

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12–14

Hours before the cross, Jesus describes the greatest love — giving one's life for friends — which is exactly what He is about to do.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 1 John 3:16 — "Because he laid down his life for us."
• quotes John 13:34 — Restates the new commandment to love as He loved.

Christ calls and ordains His friends

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15–17

Jesus calls His disciples friends, reveals the Father's words to them, and ordains them to bear lasting fruit through prayer in His name.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 93:45 — "I will call you friends, for you are my friends."
• alluded to by D&C 84:63 — "Ye are my friends."

Hated for His name's sake

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18–24

The world hated Jesus first, and His disciples will be treated as He was. Rejecting the Son is rejecting the Father who sent Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes John 13:16 — "The servant is not greater than his lord."

The Messiah hated without a cause

But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. John 15:25

Jesus says the Psalms foretold that the Messiah would be hated for no reason.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 69:4 — "They that hate me without a cause."
• quotes Psalm 35:19 — "That hate me without a cause."

The Spirit testifies of Christ

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 15:26–27

The Holy Ghost's mission is to testify of Jesus, and His apostles join that witness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 28:11 — "The Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me."