John 15:9
What does John 15:9 mean?
A plain-English look at John 15:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 15:9 means
Jesus reveals His profound love for His disciples, mirroring the perfect love that exists between the Father and Himself. He then commands them to "abide ye in my love." This is an invitation to remain perpetually within the sphere and experience of His self-giving, unconditional love. It's not just about receiving His love, but living in conscious fellowship with it, allowing it to sustain and transform them, just as He abides in the Father's love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even as the Father has given me his love, so I have given my love to you: be ever in my love.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862According as the Father did love me, I also loved you, remain in my love;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you: abide in my love.
Context
Having established that bearing fruit glorifies the Father and confirms discipleship, Jesus now reveals the source and nature of the power to bear such fruit: His love. This verse transitions from the general concept of abiding and fruitfulness to the specific, foundational element of divine love, which will be further defined as the chapter progresses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
- John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
- 1 John 2:28
And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
- John 17:26
and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them.
- John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
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