John 15:4
What does John 15:4 mean?
A plain-English look at John 15:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 15:4 means
This verse presents the central command to "Abide in me, and I in you." Abiding describes a continuous, intimate, and dependent relationship with Jesus. Just as a physical branch cannot produce fruit apart from its organic connection to the vine, believers cannot produce genuine spiritual fruit apart from a constant, living connection to Christ. This abiding is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, spiritual union from which all spiritual life flows.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be in me at all times as I am in you. As the branch is not able to give fruit of itself, if it is not still on the vine, so you are not able to do so if you are not in me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862remain in me, and I in you, as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, if it may not remain in the vine, so neither ye, if ye may not remain in me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abide in the vine, thus neither [can] ye unless ye abide in me.
Context
This verse is a pivotal command, following Jesus' affirmation of the disciples' present cleanliness. It transitions from the descriptive aspects of the vine metaphor to the prescriptive, giving the direct instruction for maintaining the life-giving connection. It sets the stage for understanding the absolute necessity of this union for any spiritual endeavor, further elaborated in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 2:6
he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
- Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- John 8:31
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
- Acts 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- 2 Corinthians 12:8
Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
- John 6:56
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
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