Joh 15:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for John 15:1-27: 15:1-27 Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1 I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18 ; Isa 5:1-7 ; Jer 2:21 ; 12:10-11 ; Ezek 15:1-5 ; Hos 10:1-2 ). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.

Summary for John 15:1-27: 15:1-27 ^a Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1 ^b I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18 ^c; Isa 5:1-7 ^d; Jer 2:21 ^e; 12:10-11 ^f; Ezek 15:1-5 ^g; Hos 10:1-2 ^h). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.
Summary for John 15:2-3: 15:2-3 ⁱ Gardeners cut away dead branches and trim healthy branches so they will produce more fruit. Fruitfulness is the result of life-giving connection to the vine.
15:4 ^j The term remain (Greek menō) is key to understanding 15:4-10 ^k. A growing disciple, in whom the Father and the Son live through the Spirit, must be continuously connected to Christ (see 14:16-25 ^l; 15:26 ^m).
15:6 ⁿ Anyone who does not remain in Christ is separated from the vine and its life. A living branch produces clusters of grapes (15:5 ^o). Connection with the vine allows the life of Jesus to flow fruitfully through the disciple. Those who claim to be attached to Christ but yield no fruit are useless and will be burned.
15:7 ^p Those whose lives are in harmony with Jesus may ask for anything because their prayers are controlled by his word. Their prayers will be answered and bring glory to God (14:10-13 ^q).
15:8 ^r True disciples will experience a transformed, fruit-bearing life because they live in a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father (15:9-10 ^s).