📖 John — Chapter 15 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 15:1 I am the Rtrue vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: Rand every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3 RNow ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the Rvine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, Rye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:9 As Rthe Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15:10 If Rye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that Ryour joy might be full.
John 15:12 RThis is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15 Henceforth RI call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:16 Ye Rhave 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.
John 15:17 RThese things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:18 RIf the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye Rwere of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the Rword that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 15:21 But Rall these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
John 15:23 RHe that hateth me hateth my Father also.
John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: Rbut now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that Rthe word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
John 15:26 But Rwhen the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 15:27 And Rye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 15:1–8 — Abiding in the true vine makes fruit possible
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus identifies himself as the true vine and the Father as husbandman. Branches depend on abiding in him, cleansing and pruning serve fruitfulness, and bearing fruit glorifies the Father.
Key Truth: Depend on Jesus rather than treating fruitful obedience as self-sufficiency.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “I am the true vine, and my ____ is the husbandman.” (John 15:1)
Find it in John 15:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the ____ ; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4)
Find it in John 15:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so …” (John 15:8)
Find it in John 15:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 15:9–17 — Abiding love becomes self-giving friendship and obedience
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus calls disciples to continue in his love by keeping his commandments and to love one another after his example. He speaks of laying down life, friendship, chosen service, enduring fruit, and prayer.
Key Truth: Let received love become faithful and practical love for others.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “As the ____ hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye …” (John 15:9)
Find it in John 15:9 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “These things I command you, that ye ____ one another.” (John 15:17)
Find it in John 15:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might …” (John 15:11)
Find it in John 15:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 15:18–27 — The world’s hatred does not cancel the call to witness
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus warns that the world’s hostility to him will also reach his followers. Their experience must be read in relation to his words, works, and the Father, while the Comforter and the disciples bear witness.
Key Truth: Remain truthful in witness rather than treating opposition as proof of abandonment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “If the ____ hate you, ye know that it hated me before it …” (John 15:18)
Find it in John 15:18 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “He that hateth me hateth my ____ also.” (John 15:23)
Find it in John 15:23 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ye also shall ____ witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:27)
Find it in John 15:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 5:7 — Isaiah’s vineyard passage provides a related setting for reflecting on fruit and the husbandman’s care.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What would abiding in Jesus change in one relationship or responsibility?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 15:1–8 (Abiding in the true vine makes fruit possible) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 15:9–17 (Abiding love becomes self-giving friendship and obedience) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 15:18–27 (The world’s hatred does not cancel the call to witness) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What relationship explains the branch's fruitfulness?
5. What pattern sets the measure for the disciples' love?
Notes
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