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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/15-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/43_Jhn_15_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/14-31.htm" title="John 14:31">◄</a> John 15:1 <a href="/john/15-2.htm" title="John 15:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/15.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/nlt/john/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/esv/john/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/bsb/john/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. <a href="/blb/john/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/kjv/john/15.htm">King James Bible</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/nkjv/john/15.htm">New King James Version</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/nasb_/john/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/nasb/john/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/nasb77/john/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/lsb/john/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower. <a href="/amp/john/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/csb/john/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/hcsb/john/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. <a href="/asv/john/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/cev/john/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus said to his disciples: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/erv/john/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/gwt/john/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> [Then Jesus said,] "I am the true vine, and my Father takes care of the vineyard. <a href="/gnt/john/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/isv/john/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vintner. <a href="/msb/john/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. <a href="/net/john/15.htm">NET Bible</a> "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/nheb/john/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. <a href="/wbt/john/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/wey/john/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "I am the Vine--the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. <a href="/web/john/15.htm">World English Bible</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser; <a href="/blb/john/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/ylt/john/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman; <a href="/slt/john/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I AM the true vine; and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/cpdv/john/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. <a href="/nabre/john/15.htm">New American Bible</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. <a href="/nrsvce/john/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I AM the true vine, and my Father is the worker. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “I AM THE LIVING GOD, The True Vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. <a href="/godbey/john/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. <a href="/mace/john/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I am the genuine vine, and my father is the vintager. <a href="/wey/john/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "I am the Vine--the True Vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. <a href="/worrell/john/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/15-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=5404" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/15.htm">Jesus the True Vine</a> 1<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“I</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">am</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/228.htm" title="228: alēthinē (Adj-NFS) -- True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful.">TRUE</a> <a href="/greek/288.htm" title="288: ampelos (N-NFS) -- A vine, grape-vine. Probably from the base of amphoteros and that of halon; a vine.">vine,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1092.htm" title="1092: geōrgos (N-NMS) -- From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.">keeper of the vineyard.</a> 2He 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a> I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ... <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a> You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ... <a href="/ezekiel/15-1.htm">Ezekiel 15:1-8</a> Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? / Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? ... <a href="/ezekiel/17-5.htm">Ezekiel 17:5-10</a> He took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil; he placed it by abundant waters and set it out like a willow. / It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots. / But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it. ... <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Ezekiel 19:10-14</a> Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters. / It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage. / But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. ... <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a> Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ... <a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1-9</a> Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. / But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ... <a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Luke 20:9-16</a> Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed. ... <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a> Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">1 Corinthians 3:11</a> For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a> Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a> Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. <a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20-22</a> built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit. <a href="/colossians/2-6.htm">Colossians 2:6-7</a> Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, / rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.true.<a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9,17</a> That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world… <a href="/john/6-32.htm">John 6:32,55</a> Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven… <a href="/1_john/2-8.htm">1 John 2:8</a> Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.vine.<a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10,11</a> The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be… <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8</a> Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.<a href="/isaiah/4-2.htm">Isaiah 4:2</a> In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.husbandman.<a href="/songs/7-12.htm">Song of Solomon 7:12</a> Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.<a href="/songs/8-11.htm">Song of Solomon 8:11,12</a> Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver… <a href="/isaiah/27-2.htm">Isaiah 27:2,3</a> In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/luke/13-8.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-5.htm">Husbandman</a> <a href="/luke/22-18.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Vinedresser</a> <a href="/john/14-17.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/2-6.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/john/20-15.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-6.htm">Husbandman</a> <a href="/john/15-4.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Vinedresser</a> <a href="/john/15-8.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">John 15</div>1. <a href="/john/15-1.htm">The union of Jesus and his members shown under the parable of a vine.</a> 18. <a href="/john/15-18.htm">The hatred of the world.</a> 26. <a href="/john/15-26.htm">The office of the Holy Spirit.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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By declaring Himself the "true vine," Jesus identifies Himself as the genuine source of spiritual life and sustenance, contrasting with Israel, often depicted as a vine in the Old Testament (e.g., <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a>, <a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a>). The imagery of the vine was familiar in Jewish culture, symbolizing God's chosen people. Jesus positions Himself as the fulfillment and embodiment of what Israel was meant to be—a fruitful, life-giving presence in the world.and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard This phrase highlights the role of God the Father as the caretaker or vinedresser, responsible for tending to the vine and ensuring its health and productivity. In the context of ancient viticulture, the vinedresser's tasks included pruning, watering, and protecting the vine from pests and disease. This imagery underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, as well as the Father's active involvement in the lives of believers. The Father’s role as the keeper also reflects His sovereignty and providence, ensuring that the branches (believers) remain fruitful. This concept is echoed in passages like <a href="/isaiah/27-2.htm">Isaiah 27:2-3</a>, where God is depicted as the one who watches over His vineyard.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, identifying Himself as the "true vine." In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus often uses "I am" statements to reveal His divine nature and mission. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god_the_father.htm">God the Father</a> Referred to as the "keeper of the vineyard," indicating His role in nurturing, pruning, and overseeing the growth of the vine and its branches. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a> Symbolic of the Kingdom of God or the community of believers. The imagery of a vineyard is often used in Scripture to represent God's people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_true_vine.htm">Understanding the True Vine</a> Jesus as the "true vine" signifies the source of spiritual life and sustenance. Believers must remain connected to Him to bear fruit. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_father.htm">Role of the Father</a> God the Father, as the "keeper," actively prunes and cares for the branches. This involves discipline and guidance to promote growth and fruitfulness. <a href="/topical/a/abiding_in_christ.htm">Abiding in Christ</a> The necessity of remaining in Christ is emphasized. Just as branches cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, believers cannot produce spiritual fruit without a close relationship with Jesus. <a href="/topical/f/fruitfulness_as_evidence.htm">Fruitfulness as Evidence</a> The fruit produced in a believer's life is evidence of their connection to Christ. This includes love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_growth.htm">Community and Growth</a> The vineyard imagery highlights the communal aspect of faith. Believers are interconnected and grow together under God's care.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 15</a> <a href="/q/verify_historical_basis_of_jesus's_'true_vine'.htm">John 15:1–2: How can we verify, historically or otherwise, that Jesus’s “true vine” metaphor reflects anything beyond cultural symbolism and legend? </a> <a href="/q/what's_the_meaning_of_'the_true_vine'.htm">What is the meaning of "The True Vine"?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_branches_stay_fruitful.htm">How do branches remain fruitful in the vine?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'husbandman'_mean_biblically.htm">What does "husbandman" mean in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) I am the true vine.--For the word "true," comp. Note on <a href="/john/1-9.htm" title="That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.">John 1:9</a>. The ideal truth, of which the natural vine is a figure, is fulfilled in Him. The thought is introduced suddenly, and with nothing in the context to lead up to it. The natural explanation of this is, that here, as in other instances, it was suggested by some external object which met the eye. If we suppose (comp. Note on <a href="/john/14-31.htm" title="But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.">John 14:31</a>) that they were crossing the valley on the way to Gethsemane, there is reason for the idea that they passed a vineyard, that supplied the form in which our Lord's thoughts are expressed; but the journey itself, during the discourse, is improbable; and the sight of a vineyard is the less likely, as it was night. On the supposition that they were still in the room where they had eaten supper, a vine whose tendrils grew into the room, or the vine carved on the doors of the Temple (Jos. Wars, v. 5, ? 4; Ant. xv. 11, ? 3), or the vineyards seen in the distance by moonlight, or the vine suggested by "the fruit of the vine" of which they had drunk, have been suggested. Of these the last has most probability, as bound up with the significance of the cup of which they had drunk that night. We cannot say more than this. The imagery may have followed from some incident, or custom, or remark, now wholly unknown to us. It was, as in the case of the Good Shepherd, familiar to them from the Old Testament, and would have come to their minds from any slight suggestion. (See, e.g., the following passages: <a href="/context/psalms/80-8.htm" title="You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it.">Psalm 80:8-19</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm" title="Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:">Isaiah 5:1</a> et seq.; <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm" title="Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me?">Jeremiah 2:21</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm" title="Your mother is like a vine in your blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.">Ezekiel 19:10</a>.) It seems to have been expressed also in Rabbinic precepts, e.g., "Whosoever dreameth of a vine-branch shall see the Messiah." (Berachoth, fol. 89.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-10. - (7) The parable of the vine and its branches. Incorporation of the disciples into one personality with himself. The image of the vine may have been suggested by some visible object. Either of the hypotheses of place would furnish a reminder of the nature and culture of the vine. Thus around the windows of the guest-chamber the vine may have thrown its tendrils, or on the slopes of Olivet the vineyards may have been prominent objects, or the burning heaps of vine-prunings may have suggested the idea. Again, if they were pausing in some apartments of the temple-court, the golden vine, the image of Israel, upon the gates may have supplied the point of departure. But our Lord needed no such help to his imagination, and it is by no means necessary to find an occasion for his imagery. The fact that he had the fruit of the vine before him, and had already made it symbolic of his sacrificial death, may have brought the thought nearer to the disciples. But the most simple explanation is that the vine was the image of Israel. The prophets and psalms abound with this reference (<a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1</a>, etc.; <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Ezekiel 19:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-19</a>), so that our Lord was giving a new meaning to a familiar figure. "The vine" was the beautiful image of that theocratic and sacramental community, which had its center in the altar and ark of testimony and the holy place; and the fruit of the vine was conspicuous in all the symbolic relations which, through priesthood and ritual enactments, brought individual Israelites into relation with the reconciled God. Here Christ says, "I;" but we see from Ver. 5 that the branches, which by reason of relation to him have and draw their life from him (or, to use his own words, "I and the branches," and "the branches in me"), constitute the veritable "vine" of the covenant. Verse 1. - The vine of the Lord of hosts (<a href="/psalms/80.htm">Psalm 80</a>.) brought forth wild grapes (<a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Ezekiel 19:10</a>); Israel became "an empty vine" (<a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Hosea 10:1</a>). The failure of Israel to realize the ideal leads our Lord, as the true Israel of God, to say, I am the veritable (or, ideal) vine, including (as the context shows) in the idea of his complete Personality all the branches that derive their life from him. I with the branches, I involving my relation to the branches, and theirs to me - I as the Life-principle of humanity, together with those who are living in me - constitute and are the veritable vine of prophecy, the true Israel of God. So that this passage, from Vers. 1-10, denotes and expounds with all detail the idea elsewhere expressed by the head and the members of a body. Sometimes the idea of the parts predominates over the idea of the unity, and sometimes the unity triumphs over the parts; but in the relation between Christ and the people of his love they are often lost sight of in him, and he becomes the only Personality. The "I" of this passage is not that of the eternal Logos, nor is it the mere humanity, nor is it simply the Divine-human Personality, but the new existence which, by union with him, formed one personage with him, - the believer being united to him as he to the Father. My Father is the Husbandman, not simply the ἀμπελουργός, or vinedresser, but also γεωργός, the owner of the land as well. It is a term applied in connection with the traditional significance of the vine to the head of the theocratic family. In <a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5</a>. it is the "Lord of hosts;" in <a href="/2_chronicles/26-10.htm">2 Chronicles 26:10</a> and in the parable of the vinedressers it is applied to the rulers of the people. The Arians were wrong in concluding from this a difference of essence between the Father and Son. The vine dearly includes the branches; and the owner of the vineyard, who is also the dresser of the vine, deals here with the whole reality. All, however, which the Husbandman is said in Ver. 2 to effect is the taking away of the fruitless though proud branch, and the cleansing and gentle pruning of the branch that beareth fruit. Now, Christ, as the Son, has all judgment committed to him, and, as the great Organ of Divine providence and rule in the Church, he is the Administrator of discipline. Christ is not disclaiming the operations which he in other places assumes, nor representing his own Personality as perfectly passive in the matter, but he is claiming for Jehovah of hosts the same relation to the true Vine as he sustained to the degenerate vine of the old covenant; but he calls him "my Father." Alford says, "The material creations of God are only inferior examples of that finer spiritual life and organism in which the creature is raised up to partake of the Divine nature" (see Hugh Macmillan, D.D., 'The True Vine'). <a href="/commentaries/john/15-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I Ἐγώ (Egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. TRUE ἀληθινή (alēthinē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_228.htm">Strong's 228: </a> True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful. vine, ἄμπελος (ampelos) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_288.htm">Strong's 288: </a> A vine, grape-vine. Probably from the base of amphoteros and that of halon; a vine. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Father Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. keeper of the vineyard. γεωργός (geōrgos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1092.htm">Strong's 1092: </a> From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/15-1.htm">NT Gospels: John 15:1 I am the true vine and my (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/14-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 14:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 14:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/15-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 15:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 15:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>