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Easter · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year B

John 15:9-17

The Vine and the Branches

May 2, 2027

Christ the Vine, Cretan icon painter (iconographic type by Angelos Akotantos)
Christ the Vine, Cretan icon painter (iconographic type by Angelos Akotantos), 16th centuryByzantine and Christian Museum, Athens · public domain
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 15:9-17
Epistle1 John 5:1-8
Old TestamentActs 10:34-48
PsalterPs. 98

Overview & Insights

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” (John 15:5)

Just as it is possible to imagine a stage of the tradition when the only farewell discourse was 13:31–35, so it is possible to imagine a stage when the discourse extended to 14:31 but no further. There is a smooth transition from that verse’s summons to “leave” to the statement in 18:1 that Jesus “left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.” At the end of chapter 14, the reader expects the group to leave and the discourse to end. Instead, the discourse continues, as Jesus seems to make a new beginning.

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Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on John 15:9-17 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary on abiding in Christ's love and laying down life for friends.

John 15:9-17 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of the command to love one another as friends of God.

Enduring Word: John 15 Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical study of remaining in Christ's love and joy.

BibleHub: John 15:9 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on abide in my love and keep my commandments.

Precept Austin: John 15 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep resource page collecting word studies and expositions across John 15.

Sunday Connection: Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

A Catholic reflection and questions for all ages on love one another.

Background & Word Study

Enter the Bible: John Overview Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the Gospel of John's structure, themes, and setting.

BibleHub: John 15:9 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear for meno (abide), agape (love), and philos (friend) in the passage.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Church Fathers on John 15 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment on love, joy, and friendship with Christ.

Sermons & Reflections

It's All About Love Journey with Jesus

An essay reading love one another and abide in my love as one and the same movement.

Sacred Space: John 15:9-17 Sacred Space · Irish Jesuits

An Irish Jesuit guided prayer on the passage from the Society of Jesus.

Worship & Prayers

The Lectionary Page: Sixth Sunday of Easter, BCP The Lectionary Page

Book of Common Prayer collect and appointed readings for the day.

Art & Music

Vanderbilt: Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Searchable image library of friendship and love of Christ art across the tradition.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: John 15:9-17 Textweek

A curated hub linking commentaries, sermons, and arts resources for the passage.

Questions preachers ask

What does Jesus mean by the vine and branches?

Jesus is the true vine and his disciples the branches; apart from him they can do nothing, but those who abide in him and in his word bear much fruit, to the Father's glory.

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