1'I am the genuine vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [15:2] Every branch in me that bears no fruit he lifts up, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes clean, so that it may bear more fruit. [15:3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [15:4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch is not able to bear fruit by itself, unless it does abide in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [15:5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you are able to do nothing. [15:6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [15:7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [15:8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'
JHN 15:1-8
Jesus the True Vine
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, viticulture was a central agricultural practice, deeply embedded in daily life and cultural symbolism. Vineyards were a common sight, and the process of tending vines—pruning, lifting branches, and ensuring fruitfulness—was familiar labor. Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches would resonate immediately with agrarian listeners, who understood the necessity of a vine’s health for fruitful branches. The term ('true' or 'genuine') contrasts Jesus as the archetypal vine against other symbolic vines, such as Israel (Psalm 80:8-16), which failed to bear fruit. The Father as the vinedresser reflects the Jewish understanding of God as the cultivator of His people. Pruning was essential for productivity, symbolizing purification through Jesus’ word. The call to abide in Him evokes covenantal language, emphasizing a sustained, intimate relationship. In a culture where communal identity and loyalty were paramount, this metaphor underscores dependence on Jesus for spiritual vitality and communal fruitfulness.
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How other translations render this
JHN 15:1
- KJV
- I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
- BSB
- “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
- Koinōnos
- I am the genuine vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
JHN 15:2
- KJV
- Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
- BSB
- He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Koinōnos
- Every branch in me that bears no fruit he lifts up, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes clean, so that it may bear more fruit.
JHN 15:3
- KJV
- Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
- BSB
- You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
- Koinōnos
- Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
JHN 15:4
- KJV
- Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
- BSB
- Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
- Koinōnos
- Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch is not able to bear fruit by itself, unless it does abide in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
JHN 15:5
- KJV
- I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
- BSB
- I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
- Koinōnos
- I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you are able to do nothing.
JHN 15:6
- KJV
- If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
- BSB
- If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
- Koinōnos
- If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
JHN 15:7
- KJV
- If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
- BSB
- If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Koinōnos
- If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
JHN 15:8
- KJV
- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
- BSB
- This is to My Fatherʼs glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.
- Koinōnos
- By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 15:1
- true,:The word translated 'true' here means genuine or authentic, in contrast to something that is merely a copy, an imitation, or a shadow of the real thing.
JHN 15:2
- He takes away:The word translated 'He takes away' can also mean to lift up or to raise. In the context of a vine, it could refer to lifting branches off the ground to promote growth and fruitfulness.
- He prunes:The word translated 'He prunes' literally means to cleanse or purify. In the context of a vine, this cleansing is done by cutting away unproductive parts to make it more fruitful.
JHN 15:4
- do abide:The word translated 'do abide' carries a strong sense of remaining, dwelling, or staying in a place or state. It implies a continuous, settled presence.