ISB ~ John 15 v1 - 11

The metaphor of the vine underscores Jesus’ union with the disciples and their absolute dependency on him for life and growth. It assumes that because the vinedresser (the Father) seeks an abundant harvest, he trims back the vine stock (Jesus) to rid it of fruitless branches (apostates) and to invigorate the other branches (disciples) to become even more fruitful.

• Several times the OT depicts Israel as a vineyard planted and tended by the Lord (Ps 80:8-16; Is 5:17; 27:2-6; Jer 2:21). When Jesus clothes himself with this same imagery, he is stressing that Israel finds its life and vigor no longer in the Old Covenant but in the New Covenant ratified by its Messiah.

• The delivery of this sermon during the Last Supper gives it a sacramental coloring. Note how the invitation to “abide” in Christ (15:4-5) picks up a theme from the Bread of Life discourse (6:56) and how the Synoptic Gospels make an explicit link between the “fruit of the vine” and the eucharistic meal (Mt 26:29; Mk 14:25; Lk 22:18) (CCC 787).