John – Chapter 15

New Testament27 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of John begins: "I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman." Across its 27 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman.

2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3Now you are clean, by reason of the word which I have spoken to you.

4Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.

5I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

6If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burneth.

7If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will: and it shall be done unto you.

8In this is my Father glorified: that you bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples.

9As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.

10If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love: as I also have kept my Father's commandments and do abide in his love.

11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled.

12This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

13Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.

15I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends. because all things, whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.

16You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17These things I command you, that you love one another.

18If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated me before you.

19If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

21But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him that sent me.

22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law: they hated me without cause.

26But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me.

27And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.

Important Verses in John 15

I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:1

I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me.

John 15:26

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, John was written with the Church at the close of the apostolic age, led into the mystery of Christ's divinity in view. Chapter 15 of 21 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman." It concludes: "And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. " Read against its original backdrop, The fourth Gospel begins before creation: 'In the beginning was the Word. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of John around About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 90-100, at Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of John 15 unfolds through 27 verses that carry forward the message of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman." The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life. John's Gospel reveals Christ's divinity most clearly (CIC 241). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1814).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

John Chapter 15, containing 27 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1814). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands Jesus as the eternal Word and source of life.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2215).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John Chapter 15 about?

John 15 contains 27 verses. It opens with "I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman." and closes with "And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in John 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote John and when?

The Apostle John, the beloved disciple, according to early tradition. About AD 90-100, at Ephesus.

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