John 15:16
What does John 15:16 mean?
A plain-English look at John 15:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 15:16 means
Jesus declares that the disciples "did not choose me, but I chose you." This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in salvation and calling, not human merit. He appointed them with a clear purpose: "that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide." This fruitfulness is lasting and is connected to answered prayer when they ask in His name, once again linking abiding spiritual life with effective petition and God's glory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You did not take me for yourselves, but I took you for myself; and I gave you the work of going about and producing fruit which will be for ever; so that whatever request you make to the Father in my name he may give it to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Ye did not choose out me, but I chose out you, and did appoint you, that ye might go away, and might bear fruit, and your fruit might remain, that whatever ye may ask of the Father in my name, He may give you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have set you that ye should go and [that] ye should bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he may give you.
Context
This verse provides further insight into the nature of their friendship and their mission, explaining that their selection was divine, not human. It reinforces the theme of fruitfulness as central to their purpose and connects it to the privilege of answered prayer for those chosen by Christ, building on earlier promises regarding prayer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 145:4
One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.
- Acts 1:24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,
- Luke 24:47
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
- Acts 20:25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
- Romans 1:13
And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.
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