The last statement of John 14:31 -- "Get up, let's go." -- signals the end of one discourse and the beginning of another. John 15:1-8 forms a unity with verses 9-17 with which it shares the following keywords:
- remain (4,5,6,7,9, 10)
- bear fruit (4,5,16)
- the Father (8,9,16)
- ask (7,16)
However, because of the vine-branches motif and because of the introduction of "love" in v. 9 (which in turn will be contrasted by "hate" in vv. 18-25), the liturgy's division of 1-8 is justified.
John 15:1-17 deals with Jesus and his disciples ad intra and John 15:18-25 will be about Jesus and his disciples ad extra. Within this complex, John 15:1-8 functions as a preliminary characterization of the relationship of Jesus and his disciples as a vital relationship. In the section that follows it (vv. 9-17) the relationship will be described as a loving relationship that overcomes the hatred of the world (vv. 18-26).
In John 14:18-19, Jesus had already told his disciples:
I will not leave you orphans
I will come to you.
For a short while, the world will no longer see me
but you will see me, because I live and you shall live."
I this declaration, John 15 is anticipated; "I-You-the World" are the terms of a discoursive dynamic that will characterize the life of Jesus and his disciples in the world. John 15:1-8 will show how the words "I live and you shall live" is verified in the very existence of the group of disciples.
"I am the vine, you are the branches." In Hosea 10:1, Israel is characterized as a luxuriant vine whose fruits wre not pleasing to God. The image of unpleasant fruits coming from vines that were well-cared for is continued in Isaiah's vineyard song (Isaiah 5:1-7).
A vine's life is incomplete without fruits. In a sense, the vine exists because of the fruit it will bear. Jesus tells his disciples that his relationship with them is as vitas as the relationship of the vine to its branches. That his disciples may bear fruit, the first condition is to remain in Him.
The word "remain" contrasts with the previous instances when Jesus tells his disciples that he is departing (cf. Jn. 13:36;14:4.12.18.28). Beginning from Jn. 13:1, the eminent departure of Jesus hangs over the disciples like a canopy. When Jesus tells his disciples "Remain in me and I will remain in you" a tension is created whereby the idea of Jesus' departure is transformed. He leaves but will remain in his own in a way that the world will not know. He will continue to dwell among his own as source of life and communion.
In this section, the emphasis is laid on remaining in Christ and letting his words remain. Verses 5 and 7 are parallels with "I remain" and "my words remain" as equivalents. The idea of Christ's words remaining prepares for the section on the commandment of love (vv. 9-17). But it also introduces the idea of the disciples' empowerment to glorify the Father with the fruits they bear.
In John 14:12, Jesus already told his disciples that anyone who believes in Him will do greater words that those accomplished by Him. The new "power" given to the disciples is in view of the glorification of the Father and the accomplishment of His will. Just as Jesus has pleased the Father in His earthly life, so too, the disciples are empowered to do the same. And this power has its source and expression in prayer.
Finally, it is by remaining in Jesus that the disciples will bear fruit that will glorify God. Though they continue to live "below" where darkness, hatred, and the rejection of the Father in the Son abide, they will be like a garden that bears fruit in the midst of a wasteland. In other words, they will be like paradise on earth where the Father and the Son will make their dwelling (John 14:23).
See also the following links:
- A Discussion
- A Reading Guide: John 15-16 Discipleship is Co-Discipleship
- "Fruit" in the Gospel of Matthew
