Bible Commentaries
John 15

Verse 1

THE VINE AND BRANCHES ADDRESS v. 1-14

1) "I am the true vine," (eto eimi he ampelos he alethine) "I am (exist as) the true vine," in the sense of the "original" or genuine vine; As John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the true light, John 1:9, or the "original," the source of light, all light, so is He the original, true vine, or vine-life-supply. Israel was for a time His vine-life-dispenser. And Jesus was the true, genuine, or "original" bread, not the manna that Moses gave to Israel, John 6:32. Israel was, for a time, God’s beloved vineyard, His fruit­bearing agency, Isaiah 5:1-7. But the life of that vine, Israel, the life-source for fruit bearing, came from the Jehovah, now the Redeemer, revealed to the world as Jesus Christ.

2) "And my Father is the husbandman." (kai ho pater mou ho georgos estin) "And my Father is (exists as) the husbandman," So 8:12. The one who planted the vineyard of Israel to be a fruitbearer of righteousness, but whose conduct had come to be so morally, ethically, and religiously wicked that she was about to be plucked up and her former mission given to another vine or vineyard. He spoke of the church which He had now called out, chosen and established, to whom He was now speaking, Matthew 15:12-14; John 15:16; John 15:27.

The term "husbandman" means a "vine-dresser." He sent forth His Son, first to Israel, John 1:11; Romans 1:16; When she, as His former vineyard, received Him not, He then plucked her up, Matthew 21:40-43; Matthew 21:45; Romans 11:15; Romans 11:20; Romans 11:25, cast her away, and planted this new vineyard at the hand of Jesus Christ His Son, to be a fruit-bearing agency for. Him; and to be His bride in this and the eternal ages, John 3:28-29; Revelation 19:5-9; Ephesians 3:21. He now charges them regarding their trust in and obedience to Him in producing good fruit of righteousness.

Verse 2

1 ) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit," (pan klema en emoi me pheron karpon) "Every branch in me not bearing fruit," unproductive, unfruitful branch, not an engrafted branch, not a genuine branch (a sucker), Acts 17:28; La 3:22; Malachi 3:6; Jesus wants fruit, not just a show or odor of leaves and blooms from branches in Him, 2 Peter 1:8.

2) "He taketh away:” (airie auto) "He takes it," removes it, disclaims it, the nominal professor, but non-possessor, like Judas Iscariot, like Annanias and Saphira, or like certain men crept in among the Corinth professors, and like some Jude observed and described, 1 Corinthians 11:21; 1 Corinthians 11:29-30; Judges 1:4; Judges 1:15; Judges 1:19.

3) "And every branch that beareth fruit," (kai pan to karpon pheron) "And every branch that bears fruit," that is genuine, that has been engrafted into Him, the true vine, John 15:1, that has vital, heart connection with Him, that is not a mere unproductive sucker, drawing physical life, but without the engrafted nature, James 1:21; Matthew 7:17.

4) "He purgeth it," (kathairei auto) "He prunes it," cleanses it, to keep it healthy. He does this by the Word, by the Spirit, by chastening to keep the branch growing in the right direction, 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 12:6; Hebrews 12:10.

5) "That it may bring forth more fruit." (hina karpon pleiona phere) "In order that it may bear more fruit," good fruit Matthew 7:17-20, of holiness, righteousness and the fruit of the spirit kind of deeds, as described, Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 5:25; 2 Peter 1:4-11.

The vine dresser exerts energy on the plants, the branches for one priority purpose, that is that they may produce more and richer quality fruit each season.

Verse 3

1) "Now ye are clean," (ede humeis katharoi este) "Now at this time you all are clean;" The "you all" to whom He was speaking was the church disciples, on the way to Gethsemane, after Judas Iscariot left the Passover, to go to lead the thug band of murderers to seize Him in the garden, John 18:1-4. They were under the discipline of pruning at this time, to bear fruit.

2) "Through the word which I have spoken unto you." (dia ton logon hon lelaleka humin) "Through the word which I have spoken directly to you all," or on account of the words, as church disciples, as true branches, whom I have called and chosen, John 15:16; John 15:27; At the supper in Simon’s house in Bethany He had recently told them, with Judas present, "ye are clean, but not all," John 13:10-11.

Verse 4

1) "Abide in me, and I in you." (meinate en emoi kago en humin) "You all remain in me, and I remain in you all," as my church, my chosen witnesses. Go on in your witness and work, living as I have lived, loving as I have loved, and serving as I have served my Father, John 20:21.

2) "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself," (kathos to klema ou dunatai karpon pherein aph’ heautou) "Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself," apart from its vital heart-connected engrafting, James 1:21, drawing strength from the true wine, the feeder source, without the Spirit and nature of the vine itself, the new nature, Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10.

3) "Except it abide in the vine;” (ean me mene en te ampelo) "Unless it remains in the vine," Christ Jesus, from whose Divine nature the believer lives and bears fruit, as a new creature; This was an object of our Lord’s prayer, (for them and for His branches today) later that evening, John 17:23; Paul asserted that he lived through this new life, bearing a like kind of fruit through Him, 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20.

4) "No more can ye, except ye abide in me." (houtos oude humeis ean me en emoi menete) "Nor can you all, unless you all remain in me," where I am, in the midst of the church, caring for my branches, my vineyard, Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Revelation 1:12-20. One who falls into sin does not confess his sins, as a child of God, becomes unfruitful to the Master, not unsaved, not a child of the devil.

Verse 5

1) "I am the vine, ye are the branches," (ego eimi he ampelos humeis ta klemata) "I am (exist as)the true vine, you all are (exist as) the branches," in the vineyard He had Himself planted when He had called and chosen them, John 15:16; John 15:26-27. He and they form the body, the church, of which institution He is the head, Ephesians 1:23.

2) "He that abideth in me, and I in him," (ho menon en emoi kago en auto) "The one who remains in me and I in him," drawing life and strength, nourishment and guidance from me and my indwelling and empowering him - as a dynamo for power, and an artesian flow of the water of life for continuous refreshment, John 4:14; John 7:38-39.

3) "The same bringeth forth much fruit:" (houtos pherei karpon polun) "This one bears much fruit," as expressed in nine forms, Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 5:25; Just as every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; how much, "Much fruit" is through the continual abiding and fruit bearing, is not known, will not be revealed until the judgement seat of Christ, Matthew 7:17-20; 2 Peter 1:4-9; 1 Corinthians 3:14.

4) "For without me ye can do nothing." (hoti choris emou ou dunasthe poiein ouden) "Because apart from me you all are not able to do anything," Philippians 1:11; Philippians 4:13. Therefore none should glory in the fruit he bears, except the glorying be in Christ Jesus, Galatians 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 1:29; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. The idea here is one can do nothing that will glorify God, except he be a doer of the Word.

Verse 6

1) "If a man abide not in me," (ean me tis mene en emoi) "if anyone remains not in me," is not vitally engrafted in me, the living Word, the true vine, John 15:1; James 1:12; He exists as already barren, unfaithful, unproduc­tive, unfitted for eternity, though sustained by my mercy in this life; If he have not the incorruptible seed nature of the new birth, 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 1:25.

2) "He is cast forth as a branch, and withered;" (eblethe ekso hos to klema kai eksenanthe) "He is (and) was cast outside as the branch and is (was) dried up," John 15:2; Matthew 25:30, revealed for what he is, and has been by nature, though he may have had the leaves and blooms of outward show, but no spiritual fruit as Israel had come to do. He is to be cursed, as Jesus cursed the barren fig tree, Matthew 21:18-19.

3) "And men gather them, and cast them into the fire," (kai sunagousin auta kai eis to pur ballousin) "And they gather them together and cast them into the fire," that they may not cover the ground, in marring the landscape, or using the soil, without returning any fruit to the husbandman, John 1; 2 Peter 1:8-11.

4) "And they are burned." (kai kaietai) "And they are burned," destroyed. Only the chaff, the unregenerate are burned, none that has ever borne any spiritual fruit; For every grain of wheat, every true branch, like every good tree, bears some fruit. Jesus said it; and every true branch or tree that bears fruit He purges that it bear more fruit. Each tree or branch, physically existing in and sustained by Him, that bears no fruit, is or represents an unregenerate person, a vine-sucker, like a leech or barnacle, no part of the body or boat to which it attaches itself, for personal benefit, but on behalf of which it bears no good fruit, See? Matthew 7:17-20; Luke 3:17. The wheat, every grain is saved, but the chaff, every earthly flake, will be burned, See also Psalms 1:5-6; Matthew 3:12.

Verse 7

1) "If ye abide in me," (ean meinete en emoi) "If you all remain in me," as your guide in faith and practice, Judges 1:3, or exist in me, in a vital, regenerate way, as a new creature, with spiritual life, 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 1:21. If not, the vine is not to blame, for He calls all to have or receive life in, receive life from Him, John 14:6; Even more abundantly.

2) "And my words abide in you," (kai ta hremata mou en humin meine) "And my words remain in you all," as the true branches, fruit-bearing branches that testify of your true nature from the true vine, John 15:1; John 14:13; Colossians 3:16; 1 John 2:14.

3) "Ye shall ask what ye will," (ho ean thelete aitesasthe) "You all shall ask whatever you strongly wish," as my branch -disciples, my called and chosen, witnesses, my church that I shall send forth shortly into all the world, after my Father empowers you to go forth by the Holy Ghost, which He shall send to you all, John 15:16; John 15:26-27; Luke 24:46-49; John 7:17.

4) "And it shall be done unto you." (kai genesetai humin) "And it shall happen to you," or come to be as you will it. Prayers of the redeemed are fruit of a new nature and obediently offered to the Lord they increase cleanli­ness and fruit in the one who asks, Matthew 6:11; John 16:23-24; James 1:5-6; 1 Kings 3:22; 1 Kings 5:14.

Verse 8

1) "Herein is my Father glorified," (en touto edoksasthe ho pater mou) "By this is my Father glorified," praised, or exalted by you all, in and through your holy lives and obedient service to me, through the church, Ephesians 3:21.

2) "That ye bear much fruit;” (hina karpon polun pherete) "In order that you all bear much fruit," not simply bear fruit, but much fruit; For every true branch, good heart-connected branch or good tree, will bring forth good fruit, Matthew 7:17-20. The fruit is evidence of vital union with the vine.

3) "So shall ye be my disciples." (kai genesesthe emoi mathetai) "And you all will be recognized as my disciples," and receive not a mere entrance into eternal glory, but an abundant entrance," with fruit of labor acknowledged, by rewards for service, See 2 Peter 1:4-11; Even as ruler over many things, Matthew 25:31; 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Verse 9

1 ) "As the Father hath loved me," (kathos egapesen me ho pater) "Just as the Father has loved me," and does yet love me, John 5:20; John 10:14-15; John 17:26. Love is the highest motivating virtue that tends to unity and inspires service of discipleship to the Lord.

2) "So have I loved you:" (kago himas egapesa) "I have also loved you all," as individuals, and as a chosen, obedient, and witnessing comrade body, church, company, or assembly, that has companied with me, from the baptism of John, Acts 1:21-22; John 15:16; John 15:27; John 13:34-35; John 13:1.

3) "Continue ye in my love." (meinate en te agape te eme) "You all remain in my love," go on in my love, continually, doing my work, until your work on earth is done, as I have done my Father’s work, John 17:4-5; Hebrews 13:1 ; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 4:19.

Continue to seek to deserve and enjoy the blessings of Jesus Christ, through service rendered out of gratitude, and thanksgiving, Psalms 95:2; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2.

Verse 10

1) "If ye keep my commandments," lean tas entolas mou teresate) "if you all (as my church disciples) keep or guard my commandments," as I have kept my Father’s commandments, John 14:15; John 17:4-5.

2) "Ye shall abide in my love;” (meneite en te agape mou) "You all shall remain in my love," or have the benefit of my love and care, John 14:21; John 14:23.

3) "Even as I have kept my Father’s commandments," (kathos ego tou patros mou tas entolas tetereka) "Just as I have kept, guarded, or observed my Father’s commandments," John 8:28.

4) "And abide in his love." (kai meno autou en te agape) "And I remain in his love," for the "Father loveth (continually) the Son," John 3:35; John 5:22; John 5:26-27.

Verse 11

1 ) "These things have I spoken unto you," (tauta lelalema humin) "These things I have spoken to you all," these matters of fruitbearing and love for the Father, the Son, and one another, as disciples, John 13:34-35.

2) "That my joy might remain in you," (hina he chara he eme humin he) "In order that my joy may be (reside or exist) in you all," my joy of redeeming love, my new nature of joy, peace, and hope, Romans 5:1-5; John 16:22; Romans 15:13. The joy Jesus had in doing the Father’s will, He desired to share with (not monopolize from) His disciples.

3) "And that your joy might be full." (kai he chara plerothe) "And your joy may be filled," 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12, in a continuing state of inner sustaining joy and peace that lasts through all the trials and storms of life, of those who serve Him, 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 16:33; John 17:13; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

Verse 12

1) "This is my commandment," (aute estin he entois he eme) "This is (exists as) my commandment," as my remaining or continuous commandment, and because it is mine, never so fully given before, Hebrews 13:1; "Let brotherly love continue," progressively, or "let love roll on and on forever."

2) "That ye love one another," (hina agapate allelous) "in order that you all love (or affectionately care for) one another," John 13:34-35; By this, they had been assured, (that through love) all men could know or recognize that they were His disciples, even if they could not read or write.

3) "As I have loved you," (kathos egapesa humas) "Just as I have loved you all," whom I have called, chosen, and affectionately cared for to the end, John 13:1. The disciples were to become life-transparencies through which Jesus Christ might be seen, Matthew 5:15-16.

Verse 13

1) "Greater love hath no man than this," (meizona tautes agapen oudeis echei) "Greater love than this (priority degree of affection) no one has, holds, or possesses," none that is greater in degree of suffering and sacrifice than when His soul was made a sacrifice for sin, Isaiah 53:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.

2) "That a man lay down his life,"(hina tis ten psuchen autou the) "In order that anyone should lay down his life," as a testimony of love and friendship for a friend. Self-sacrifice is the high-water mark of love of friend for friend, Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:6.

3) "For his friends." (huper ton philon, autou) "On behalf of his friends." But Jesus had the "greater love" than the greatest among men of the world, when He laid down His life voluntarily for His enemies, John 10:8; Romans 5:7-8. For while we were enemies, or though we were enemies, Christ died for us, Isaiah 53:10-12.

Verse 14

1) "Ye are my friends," (humeis philoi mou este) "You all are (exist as) my friends," that is, friends to or toward me, even after I am gone, for a "friend loveth at all times," Proverbs 17:17. And Solomon added, "a brother is born for adversity," and Jesus was not ashamed to call these "brethren," Hebrews 2:11; John 20:17.

2) "If ye do whatsoever I command you." (ean poiete ho ego entellomai humin) "if you all do what I command you to do," or purpose the doing of the things I have told and will further tell you all to do, as a church fellowship, and as individual disciples, John 20:21. The doing of what He has said is an outward token of an inward friendship with and toward Him, James 1:22, Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Verse 15

1 ) "Henceforth I call you not servants;” (ouketi lego humas doulous) "I no longer call you slave servants," or vassels who must obey without reason, as an hireling (without sympathy) obeys a despotic master. Progressively He addressed His maturing disciples as 1) First, Servants. 2) Second, Friends, John 15:15; John 15:3) as Brethren, John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11.

2) "For the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:” (hoti ho doulous ouk oiden ti poiei autou ho kurios) "Because the slave-servant of the despot knows not what his lord does:" It is his "to do or die." He questions not his master about anything.

3) "But I have called you friends;" (humas de eireka philous) "However I have called you all friends," comrades who are hereafter to carry on my work. And I have promised that you would have a comforting, understanding, compassionate paraclete helper, the Holy Spirit, not a despotic slave master with a rod over you, John 14:16-18; John 16:7; John 16:13-15.

4) "For all things that I have heard of my Father," (hoti panta ha ekousa para tou patros mou) "Because all things which I heard from my Father," that He desired you all to know, to be, and to do, Matthew 20:25-28; John 20:21; Acts 1:8.

5) "I have made known unto you." (egnorisa humin) "I have disclosed to you all," Jesus trusted His disciples, as He expected them to trust Him, for all their needs, as they went forth into all the world to do His work, Matthew 28:18-20; Proverbs 3:5-6; Luke 24:46-49.

Verse 16

1) "Ye have not chosen me," (ouch humeis me ekseieksasthe) "You all have not chosen me," by or of your own will and accord, as a body of disciples, a church; He chose them, called them from the baptism of John, His forerunner, Isaiah 40:1-3; Matthew 3:1-7; John 1:6; John 1:32-33; Acts 1:22-23; John 15:27. This refers not to a predestined personal choosing to salvation, at all, 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:19, but to church service.

2) "But I have chosen you," (all’ ego ekeleksamen, humas) "But instead, I have chosen you all," as a body of church-disciples, Matthew 4:18-22; John 1:35-51; John 3:28-29. I have "chosen you all," as a king selects his officers from among his subjects, 1 Corinthians 12:28.

3) "And ordained you," kai etheka humas) "And I have ordained, appointed or set you in order," Ephesians 2:10, as a worship and service body, my church, He had not only ordained the twelve apostles but also sent out 70 other appointed witnesses "two by two into every city and place" He planned to go, Matthew 10:1-6; Luke 10:1-12; Mark 3:14; 1 Corinthians 12:28.

4) "That ye should go and bring forth fruit," (hina humeis hupagete kai karpon pherete) "in order that you all should go forth (as my chosen people, the church) and should bear fruit," winning or enlisting those who accept the message of my salvation, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe what I have taught you and commanded you, as fruitbearers, John 2, 5, 8; Matthew 7:17-20, Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 5:25.

5) "And that your fruit should remain:"(kai ho karpon humon mene) "And in order that your fruit should remain," should continue forever, on and on, 2 Peter 1:4-11; Hebrews 13:1.

6) "That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father," (hina hoti an aitesete ton patera) "in order that whatever you all may ask (petition) the Father," John 15:7 and as directed in the model prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.

7) "In my name, he may give it you." (en to onomati mou do humin) "in my name, he may give or dole it out to you all," as my chosen people or church-body, John 14:13; John 16:23-24; James 1:5-6.

Verse 17

1) "These things I command you," (tauta enteliomai humin) "These kind of things I command you all," or enjoin you to be and to do, John 13:34; John 15:9; John 15:12; John 15:14; James 1:22.

2) "That ye love one another." (hina agapete allelous) "In order that you all love one another," in contrast with the world, John 15:18, or cultivate and hold and show love one for and toward another, a thing that marks you as my children, friends, and brethren, in your and my church labors, my New Covenant Fellowship order of worship and service, in my house that is better than the house Moses built, Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 13:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:20-21; John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11.

Verse 18

1) "If the world hate you," (ei ho kosmos humas misei) "If the world hates you all," and it will, 1 John 3:13; as a church-body, and as individuals, and it will, as I told you in your Inaugural in the sermon on the mount, when I called you apart from the multitude, and addressed you as "The kingdom of heaven," which you are, Matthew 5:2-3; Matthew 5:10-16; Matthew 24:9.

2) "Ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (ginoskete hoti eme proton humon memiseken) "You all know that it hated me first," John 15:24; John 8:37; John 8:40; John 17:14; As it was prophesied, "They hated me without a cause," John 15:25; Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4. Or you all take note that the world order, even the religious order, hated me before it hated you all.

Verse 19

1 ) "If ye were of the world," (ei ek tou kosmou ete) "If you all were of the world," of the present world order, still unregenerate, without any love for the Father at all, 1 John 2:15; which you are not, John 17:16.

2) "The world would love his own:" (ho kosmos an to idon ephilei) "The world would have loved its own," in a fickle way, with a fickle love.

3) "But because ye are not of the world," (hoti de ek tou kosmou ouk este) "However, because you all are not out of the world," in your nature and disposition, John 17:16.

4) "But I have chosen you out of the world," (all’ ego ekseleksamen) "But because I have called and chosen you all out of and away from the present world order," of things, John 15:16; John 15:26-27; John 17:6; John 17:9. I have called you to live a separated life of sanctification and service, Romans 12:12; Their hatred and persecution should bring you joy, Matthew 5:10-12.

5) "Therefore the world hateth you." (dia touto misei humas ho kosmos) "On account of this the world hates you all," as individuals, and as my chosen New Covenant church. It hates you with a continuing hate, John 17:14.

Verse 20

1) "Remember the word that I said unto you," (mnemoneuete tou logou ou ego eipon humin) "You all remember the word which I said directly to you," the instructions and disclosures I made to you, in my first address to you as my New Covenant church company, Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:2.

2) "The servant is not greater than his lord." (ouk estin doulos meigon kuriou autou) ’.’A slave-servant is (exists) not greater than his lord," John 13:16-18; Luke 6:40.

3) "If they have persecuted me," (ei me edioksan) "If they persecuted me," and they did, therefore His servants who follow Him will not be immune to a like hatred from the world, as hatred that will bring them suffering, Matthew 10:24-28.

4) "They will also persecute you," (kai humas dioksousin) "They will also persecute you all," 2 Timothy 3:12; "All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," and should count it an honor to do so for Christ, Acts 5:40-42; 1 Peter 4:12-14.

5) "If they have kept my saying," (ei ton logon mou eteresan) "if they have kept (accepted or guarded) my word," which they had not done, John 1:11; Matthew 23:37; John 8:24; John 12:48.

6) "They will keep yours also." (kai ton humeteron teresousin) "They will also keep or guard yours," that is, they of the world order, in the main will rejected you, as they have rejected me. And for similar reasons, because your testimony and your lives of love will convict them as that of Stephen did, Acts 7:51-60.

Verse 21

1 ) "But all these things will they do unto you," (alla tauta panta poiesousin eis humas) "But all these things they will do to you all," So do not be dismayed, become despondent, lose courage, or fall out of my service, Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

2) "For my name’s sake." (dia to onoma mou) "On account of my name," Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:9; John 16:3, your identity, individually and as a chosen church body, with my name, what I have commanded should be done and directed you all to do, John 13:34; John 14:13-15; John 15:14; John 20:21.

3) "Because they know not," (hoti ouk oidamen) "Because they do not know," personally or experimentally perceive, John 8:19; John 8:55. The name of Jesus was hateful to the world, because it did not recognize the sender of Him, John 3:17; Galatians 4:4-5.

4) "Him that sent me." (ton pempsanta me) "The one who has sent me." They did not know God, His Father, in a spiritual experience of regeneration, Matthew 5:20; John 5:43; John 8:21; John 8:24; John 8:44; John 8:47.

Verse 22

1) "If I had not come and spoken unto them," (ei me althon kai elalesa autois) "Except I had come and spoken directly to them," to His own Jewish people, about God His Father, John 1:11-12; Matthew 23:37; Romans 1:16.

2) "They had not had sin:" (hamartian ouk eichosan) "They had not had sin, "the sin of which they were now so gravely guilty in refusing to receive or believe in and receive Him as their Savior, John 9:41. But now they are inexcusable, Romans 10:1-4.

3) "But now they have no cloak for their sin." (nun de propsasin ouk echousin peri tes hamartias auton) "However now and hereafter they do not have a cloak, an excuse (a hiding) concerning their sin," their sin of unbelief, or rejecting Him , as they had done, John 5:43; John 8:21; John 8:24; John 8:32; John 8:36; John 14:6; Romans 2:1.

Verse 23

1) "He that hateth me," (ho eme mison) "The one who hates me," as the world, the religious world especially does, and goes about to kill me, John 5:16; John 5:18; fulfilling Psalms 2:2; John 8:37; John 8:40; John 8:44; John 11:49-53.

2) "Hateth my Father also." (kai ton patera mou misei) "He also hates my Father," as also affirmed, John 15:24.

Verse 24

1 ) "If I had not done among them the works," (ei ta erga me epoies a en autois) "if I had not done the works (miraculous deeds and teaching) which I did among them," the rejecting Jews, restating the same concept of verse 22; through His teaching and His miraculous deeds, John 3:2; John 5:36; John 7:31; John 12:37.

2) "Which none other man did," (ha oudeis allos epoiesen) "Which no other one ever did," as witnessed by Nicodemus, John 3:2; and witnessed at the healing of a paralytic (Mark 2:5-11) who said "we never saw it on this wise before."

3) "They had not had sin:" (hamartian ouk eichosan) "They would not have had sin," the degree of sin against light and knowledge that they had, Proverbs 29:1; James 4:17; They knew their call to repentance and belief, but would not, Luke 13:3; Luke 13:5; John 8:24.

4) "But now have they both seen and hated," (nun de kai heorakasin kai memisekasin) "However now and hereafter-they have both seen and hated," and cannot longer or any more plead ignorant of me, Ephesians 4:18; Proverbs 1:20-31; Proverbs 29:1.

5) "Both me and my Father." (kai eme kai ton patera mou) "Both my Father and me," John 15:18; John 15:23; John 15:25.

Verse 25

1) "But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled," (all’ hina plerothe ho logos) "But(this is coming to be) in order that the word may be fulfilled," that the -Scriptures can not be broken," John 10:35; for they are "true from the beginning," Psalms 119:160; John 5:39; John 12:37; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 5:45.

2) "That is written in their law," (ho en to nomon auton gegrammenos) "The thing that has been written or recounted in their law," as quoted by the Psalmist, Where the Old Testament is referred to as the law, Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4.

3) "They hated me without a cause." (hoti emisesan me dorean) "They hated me freely," with a carefree hate, with no valid cause, Psalms 109:3; La 3:52; So they were inexcusable, Ro 21; Proverbs 1:20-31; John 7:17.

Verse 26

1 ) "But when the comforter is come," (hotan elthe ho parakletos) "When the Paraclete (comforter) comes," of His own choice and will, in His own time, as sent by the Father, in response to my prayer to Him, John 14:16-19.

2) "Whom I will send unto you from the Father," (hon ego pempso humin para tou patros) "Whom I will send directly to you all from the Father," in my stead, John 14:26; John 16:7.

3) "Even the Spirit of truth," (to pneuma tes aletheias) "The Spirit of truth one," who shall come forth as a helper and guide, a comrade to you while I am away, John 16:13.

4) "Which proceedeth from the Father," (ho para tou patros ekporeuetai) "Which one comes from alongside the Father," John 14:26; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:4.

5) "He shall testify of me." (ekeinos marturesei peri emou) "That one (the Holy Spirit as comforter) will witness concerning me," John 16:14-15; Acts 1:8; For "the testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit (breathing force) of prophecy," Revelation 19:10; Acts 10:43; And you are to speak as He bears witness to you, 1 John 5:6.

Verse 27

1) "And ye also shall bear witness." (kai humeis de martureite) "Then you all shall also witness concerning me," Acts 1:8; Acts 2:32; Acts 4:20; You all who are the branches, with vital heart connection with the vine, whom I have chosen as my House, my light-bearing agency, my preserving workers, as the salt of the earth, and as my bride, Mark 13:34; 1 Timothy 3:15; Matthew 5:13-16; John 3:29.

2) "Because ye have been with me from the beginning." (hoti ap’ arches met’ emou este) "Because you all (as my church) are and have been with me from the beginning," 1 John 1:2, of my ministry, in Galilee, Acts 10:37; Matthew 4:12-22; And as apostles from the baptism of John, Acts 1:21-22. And you shall continue, after you are empowered, to go to all nations with my message, John 20:21; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4.