John 15:1-2 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that bears fruit he cleans it in order that it may bear more fruit.
A significant shift in theme takes place at the beginning of chapter 15 with the imagery of vine and branches. The chapter has many contrasts and linkages of themes. Verses 1-8 describe the metaphor of vine and branches, and verses 9-16 explain and comment on it by repeating its key themes. Vineyards were common enough in the first century that they could serve as an image easily understood by most people. Jesus used the image of vines and vineyards many times in his parables (Matthew 20:1–16, 21:28–32; Mark 12:1–9; Luke 13:6–9, 20:9–16). John 15 is not stated as a parable with a plot but as an extended metaphor.
Verse 1 begins with the last “I am” (egō eimi) saying in this Gospel. The vine is the main shoot of a grape plant from which various branches extend. Jesus serves as the central stalk in the plant metaphor. Everything else depends on him. Jesus describes this vine as the true one, a concept repeated numerous times throughout his teachings in John. As the Truth, Jesus reveals the love of God and the Father’s will for humanity. Everyone else is but a shadow or distortion of this truth. The Father is the farmer of the grapes (geōrgos), often called the vinedresser or gardener. He is the one who keeps the branches trimmed so that they produce the best fruit.
A grape plant is a common metaphor in the Old Testament for Israel (Psalm 80:9–16; Isaiah 5:1–7; 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21; 12:10-11; Ezekiel 15:1–8; 17:1–21; 19:10–14; Hosea 10:1–2). These passages all describe how Israel failed to produce spiritual fruit because of its disobedience. Jesus builds on that metaphor and connects the branches to the new Israel, his followers. Israel and the whole world find life in him and nowhere else. The new Israel can fulfill its purpose of bearing fruit only through Jesus.
Verse 2 introduces the branches and describes the work of the farmer. The branches are not specifically identified until verse 3 and more explicitly in verse 5, where Jesus directly addresses his disciples. These branches are intimately connected to the branch. Jesus uses the phrase in me to represent the close bond of relationship. Paul used a similar prepositional phrase and concept to represent union with Christ. The imagery is more than mere connection, as in grafting. The vine and branches are united as one plant. The branch would not exist without the main vine. Every aspect of survival is dependent upon the branch.
The job of the farmer is to keep the grapevine thriving by trimming it. A branch is the nub that grows out of the branch and bears the fruit. Grape vines must be pruned each year so that new growth can produce fruit. Grapes produce the best fruit a year after the new growth. The old growth should be cut off to give the new growth the best opportunity to bear fruit.
Jesus’ application is that the Father cleans the branches so they will produce fruit. The word for clean (kathairei) could be translated in the context of this metaphor as “prune,” but it is the same word used elsewhere in the New Testament for purify. The Father does something wonderful to those branches that are not healthy to help them produce fruit. A vinedresser needs skill to know which branch is producing fruit and which one is not. The Father knows those who have faith in Jesus. Verse 2 serves as a warning for those, like the Jews in John’s Gospel, who think they are part of Israel or God’s people but have failed to show the fruit of faith. God does not give up on them because God is love and full of grace and compassion.
It is unclear in this passage the extent to which the Father purifies the followers of Jesus. We should not push the metaphor to the point of the Father judging non-fruit-bearing disciples and casting them into hell, though this verse could serves as a warning about unfruitfulness. Rather, the imagery is of a loving Father who tenderly cares for the plant and helps those who have weak faith to produce fruit and fulfill their purpose. Not having faith in and connection to Jesus brings the Father’s discipline and judgment, but first comes his grace. This verse is all about grace. The Father’s will is that people find life in Jesus and be connected to him in vital faith, love, and obedience. Jesus explains this connection in the following verses.
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