I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. 2 He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. 3 You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. 4 Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
John 15:1-10 opens with one of Jesus’ final “I am” declarations: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.” With this image, Jesus evokes a rich Old Testament tradition in which Israel was portrayed as God’s vineyard (cf. Isa. 5:1-7; Psalm 80:8-16). Yet unlike the failed vine of Israel, Jesus declares that He is the true and fruitful vine—faithful, fruitful, and fully obedient to the Father. In Him, the covenant given to Israel is renewed and fulfilled.
The Father, as the vine grower, tends the vine with divine wisdom. He “takes away” branches that bear no fruit and “prunes,”—that is, spiritually purifies through trial or correction—those that do, so they may bear more. The Father’s action is not an arbitrary judgment, but His loving work to increase holiness in those who are already joined to Christ (cf. Heb. 12:6).
Jesus then issues a command and a promise: “Remain in me, as I remain in you.” The word “remain” is repeated ten times in this passage. It signifies a deep, continual union—abiding, not occasional contact. This abiding is both personal and ecclesial. As St. Augustine of Hippo, an early Church Father (354–430 AD), teaches, we remain in Christ through living faith, obedience to His word, and the bond of divine love (cf. Homilies on the Gospel of John 81.1-2).
Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. This echoes the teaching of Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ”). By contrast, without union with Christ, even our best efforts are spiritually barren. Those who do not remain in Him become like withered branches, gathered and thrown into the fire—a clear allusion to divine judgment, not necessarily in this life, but at the end of time, when each person will stand before Christ and be judged according to their deeds (cf. Ezek. 15:1–8; Matt. 3:10; John 5:29). Although the wicked may often seem to go unpunished in this world, Scripture assures us that God's justice is never delayed—only deferred for the sake of mercy, to allow the wicked every opportunity to repent and convert (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9). Christians should take care not to confuse worldly retribution, which is often flawed and incomplete, with the final and perfect justice of God. The fire Jesus speaks of is not merely symbolic; it points to the eternal consequences of a life severed from Him. This warning applies to all, but carries special weight for those called to lead, preach, or shepherd in His name (cf. James 3:1).
However, those who remain in Christ bear “much fruit.” Fruit, in the Johannine sense, includes love, obedience, prayerful union, and mission. The condition for bearing fruit is fidelity to His word and His love. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,” Jesus says, revealing that love and obedience are inseparable in the Christian life (cf. 1 John 2:3-6).
This passage is not only about individual discipleship—it reveals the inner life of the Church. Christ is the Vine; we, the members, are vitally connected to Him and to one another. The Church is not merely an institution but the living Body of Christ, animated by the Holy Spirit and rooted in divine life.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true Vine and the source of all life. Teach us to remain in You always—through Your word, Your grace, and Your love. Prune us when we stray, strengthen us when we falter, and bear in us the fruit that glorifies the Father. Keep us from becoming withered branches, and draw all who have strayed far from You back into Your life-giving embrace. Amen.
O Lord, guide
every soul who seeks You
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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