John 14:15
What does John 14:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 14:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 14:15 means
Jesus connects love for Him with obedience to His commandments. Love is not mere feeling; it is loyal devotion expressed in doing what He says. This tests the sincerity of discipleship and protects against sentimental faith that refuses His lordship. Obedience flows from love, not legalism, and it places the disciple in the path of promised help. The link also prepares for the Spirit’s role—those who love and obey will receive the Comforter. To keep His commandments is to treasure His words and shape life by them, trusting that His commands are good and lead to deeper fellowship with Him.
John 14:15 in context
John 14 — I Am the Way
On the night before his crucifixion Jesus comforts his disciples. He is going to prepare a place for them; he is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him. He promises another Comforter — the Holy Spirit — who will dwell in them and bring his words to remembrance. The peace he gives is not as the world gives. Even with the cross hours away, he turns from his own sorrow to steady theirs.
- Heaven
- Exclusivity of Christ
- Holy Spirit promised
- Christ's peace
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If ye love me, keep my commandments.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you have love for me, you will keep my laws.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`If ye love me, my commands keep,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If you love me, keep my commandments.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Context
After promises about prayer in His name, Jesus clarifies the character of those prayers’ askers: people who love Him and therefore keep His commands. This prepares the heart to receive the Spirit, not as a substitute for obedience, but as the divine Helper who enables it. The next verses reveal that He will ask the Father to send another Comforter to be with them forever, explaining the Spirit’s identity, the world’s inability to receive Him, and the intimate presence believers will enjoy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
- Philippians 3:7
Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
- Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- John 8:42
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
- Philippians 1:20
according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
- 1 John 4:19
We love, because he first loved us.
Sermon ideas from John 14:15
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 14:15 teaches us about heaven
What John 14:15 teaches us about exclusivity of christ
What John 14:15 teaches us about holy spirit promised
What John 14:15 teaches us about christ's peace
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