John 15:5
What does John 15:5 mean?
A plain-English look at John 15:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 15:5 means
Jesus reiterates His identity as the vine and the disciples' as the branches, emphasizing that a fruitful life is entirely dependent on this union. He states explicitly that "apart from me ye can do nothing." This underscores the absolute inability of believers to produce spiritual good, godly character, or effective service by their own strength or wisdom. All true and lasting spiritual work flows directly from an active, abiding relationship with Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I am the vine, ye the branches; he who is remaining in me, and I in him, this one doth bear much fruit, because apart from me ye are not able to do anything;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am the vine, ye [are] the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.
Context
This verse reinforces the central message of verse 4, restating the roles and the absolute necessity of abiding. It functions as a summary and a strong warning, preparing the disciples for the consequence of not abiding. It firmly grounds all future discussion of fruitfulness and discipleship in this fundamental relationship to Jesus, the Vine.
v.4Abide 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.
v.5This passage
v.6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 13:6
And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
- John 5:19
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.
- Ephesians 5:9
(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
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