John 15:16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 15:16

Again Jesus stressed that the initiative in the relationship between Him and His disciples lay with Himself, not them (cf. John 1:39; John 1:42-43; John 6:70; John 10:27). He probably did this because of their tendency to think too highly of themselves and since in their culture it was common for disciples to choose their rabbi. Even today students love to seek out the teacher of their choice and attach themselves to him or her.He had chosen them to be His friends, but He had also appointed... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 15:1-27

The True Yine. The Witness of the Comforter and of the Apostles1-17. The allegory of the True Vine and its interpretation. The metaphor of ’the vine’ was suggested by ’the fruit of the vine’ which had just been consecrated in the Holy Supper (Matthew 26:29), and the allegory was intended to illustrate the main idea underlying that holy rite, viz. union with Christ. It sets forth Christ as the sole source of spiritual life, and of Christian sanctity. As long as the spiritual union between Christ... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 15:16

(16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.—Comp. Luke 6:12 et seq., and in this Gospel John 6:70; John 13:18. The thought of His love for them, which had exalted them from the position of slaves to friends, from fishermen to Apostles, is made to remind them again (John 15:17) of the duty of love to each other. In John 15:20 he reminds them of the words which accompanied His own act of humility in washing their feet (John 13:15-16). The chiefest Apostle owed all to His gift and election,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - John 15:1-27

Christ's Appropriations John 15:0 We shall find some jewel sentences in the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel according to John. The expressions shortly to be quoted may be designated the Appropriations of Christ. He seemed to c aim certain things, ideas, principles, emotions, as peculiarly His own. Christ may be said to be before us now as a great proprietor, talking so clearly, though not too loudly, of the things which belong to Himself. The governing word is 'My'. He goes as it were around... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - John 15:13-17

XIII. NOT SERVANTS, BUT FRIENDS."Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known unto you. Ye did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - John 15:1-27

CHAPTER 15 1. The Vine and the Branch. (John 15:1-8 .) 2. Communion with Him and its Conditions.(John 15:9-16 .) 3. Love One Another! and the Hatred of the World. (John 15:17-27 .) Israel is called a vine in the Old Testament (Psalms 80:8 ; Isaiah 5:1-8 ; Jeremiah 2:21 ; Hosea 10:1 ) and Christ here in this parable takes the place of Israel and is the true vine. His disciples are the branches. Israel under the law covenant could not bear fruit for God, as the law cannot be the source of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - John 15:16

15:16 {5} Ye {c} have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.(5) Christ is the author and preserver of the ministry of the gospel, even to the end of the world, but the ministers have above all things need of prayer and brotherly love.(c) These words plainly teach us that our salvation comes only from the favour and gracious... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - John 15:1-27

THE MINISTRY OF EXHORTATION CHRIST THE TRUE VINE (vs.1-8) The Lord's ministry of comfort, or of binding up, has been seen in chapter 14. Now in chapter 15 it is that of stirring up, or of exhortation. If, as we have seen, the sacred presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a precious sanctuary, yet our feet walk on earth, and there must be the trial of faith, the practical test of reality. Israel had been the vine brought out of Egypt and planted in the land (Isaiah 5:17), but in... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - John 15:1-27

CENTRAL TEACHING CONTINUED The fundamental subject of this discourse is that of the relation of believers to Jesus Christ in respect to practical life under the coming dispensation: 1. The relation of members who share in His life and thereby bring forth fruit unto God (John 15:1-8 ). 2. The relation of friends who share in His love and maintain its continuance and manifest its effect by love to each other (John 15:9-17 ). 3. The relation of followers who share in His work toward the world,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - John 15:1-27

The Self-revelation of Christ John 14:0 , John 15:0 We cannot understand the opening of the fourteenth chapter unless we read it in immediate connection with the close of the thirteenth. "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." "Let" notwithstanding all cowardice and recession and... read more

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