RSV ~ John 15 Notes

Jn 15:1-11 | ISB Notes

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).

Jn 15:2 | ISB Notes

he prunes: The Father must trim away our selfishness to increase our growth in love. Pruning probably refers to the trials and fatherly discipline we experience in this life (Heb 12:511; Jas 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7).

Jn 15:5 | ISB Notes

bears much fruit: The fruits of righteousness are borne in us by the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23; CCC 737). Without this lifegiving sap, which flows into the branches through the vine, we can do absolutely nothing to please the Father or move closer to salvation (CCC 308, 2074).

Jn 15:6 | ISB Notes

thrown into the fire: Damnation awaits every branch that withers away from Christ and becomes worthless (Mt 3:10; Heb 6:4-8).

• Ezekiel similarly described the residents of Jerusalem as vine branches that failed to yield fruit and so became fuel for the fires of divine judgment (Ezek 15:18). Vines, the prophet reasoned, are useless to the craftsman as wood and thus have no value apart from the grapes they bear.

Jn 15:10 | ISB Notes

my Father’s commandments: Love for the Father expresses itself through obeying his commandments as Jesus did (1 Jn 3:23-24). It was common in ancient society for younger siblings to look up to the eldest brother for guidance on how to honor and obey one’s parents.

Jn 15:13 | ISB Notes

Greater love: The fullest expression of love consists in pouring out our lives to God as Jesus Christ did on the Cross (1 Jn 3:16). See notes on Jn 13:34 and 14:31.

Jn 15:14 | ISB Notes

my friends: The promise of intimacy with Jesus is conditional because it can be fulfilled only if we commit ourselves to his teaching.

• Abraham, the man of faith, was the first to be called a “friend” of God in the Bible (2 Chron 20:7; Is 41:8).

Jn 15:18-27 | ISB Notes

Jesus cautions the disciples against the hostility and persecution of the world. The hatred it has for Jesus will likewise fall on them for preaching his gospel and living as he lived. The wording of 15:24-25 and 16:2 suggests that by “world” Jesus is referring to unbelieving Israel. See note on Jn 1:10.

Jn 15:22 | ISB Notes

no excuse: Revelation entails the responsibility of embracing it. Had Jesus not spoken the truth to the world, its culpability would be lessened; since he did, however, scoffers and unbelievers face the dreadful consequences of rejecting the voice of the living God (12:47-50).

Jn 15:25 | ISB Notes

their law: Refers to the entire OT, not only to the Pentateuch (10:34; 12:34).

They hated me: Echoes Ps 35:19 and 69:4.

• In both verses the Psalmist pleads for Yahweh’s vindication because wicked men harass him for no justifiable reason. The disciples must learn from this word of caution from Jesus that the world’s hatred will not go unnoticed by the Father, but he will one day deliver them from the malice of their oppressors.

Jn 15:26 | ISB Notes

whom I shall send: The Spirit comes forth from the Father (14:16, 26) and the Son (16:7).

• The mission of the Spirit in history is a reflection of the procession of the Spirit in eternity. This is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which says that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son” (CCC 244-48).