John 15:6
What does John 15:6 mean?
A plain-English look at John 15:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 15:6 means
Jesus describes the severe consequence for those who do not abide in Him: they are "cast forth as a branch, and is withered." Such individuals are spiritually lifeless, incapable of bearing fruit, and ultimately face destruction. This imagery speaks to an outward professor of faith who lacks genuine, living connection to Christ, leading to a barren existence and eventual judgment, symbolized by being gathered and burned. It serves as a stark warning against a merely superficial attachment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If a man does not keep himself in me, he becomes dead and is cut off like a dry branch; such branches are taken up and put in the fire and burned.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if any one may not remain in me, he was cast forth without as the branch, and was withered, and they gather them, and cast to fire, and they are burned;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burneth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Unless any one abide in me he is cast out as the branch, and is dried up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Context
This verse presents the negative consequence of failing to heed the command to abide (from verse 4 and 5). It contrasts sharply with the promise of fruitfulness for those who remain connected, thereby emphasizing the vital importance of the preceding instructions. It prepares the way for the discussions of the blessings that come from true abiding.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jude 1:12
These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
- Matthew 27:5
And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.
- Job 15:30
He shall not depart out of darkness; The flame shall dry up his branches, And by the breath ofGod’smouth shall he go away.
- Isaiah 27:10
For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.
- Psalms 80:15
And the stock which thy right hand planted, And the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
- John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.
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