John 15 15

John 15:15 kjv

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 15:15 nkjv

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15 niv

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15 esv

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15 nlt

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

John 15 verses

John 15 15 Meaning

John 15:15 marks a profound redefinition of the relationship between Jesus and His disciples, transitioning from the master-servant dynamic common in their culture to one of intimate friendship. While they were still to obey Him, Jesus elevated their status, granting them access to His deepest thoughts and the divine counsels of the Father, information typically withheld from servants. This shift highlights a new covenant of openness, trust, and shared purpose, where disciples are brought into the confidence of God's plans.

John 15 15 Context

John 15:15 is part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the upper room on the night before His crucifixion. Specifically, it lies within the "True Vine" allegory (Jn 15:1-17), which emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ for fruitfulness. The discourse speaks of the intimate connection between Jesus and His followers, urging them to love one another as He has loved them. In this passage, Jesus transitions from teaching about spiritual sustenance and divine unity to the nature of their personal relationship with Him. The setting is critical as Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent departure, establishing the foundation of their continuing mission and relationship with God through the Spirit. Culturally, the distinction between a 'slave' (δοῦλος, doulos) who does not know his master's plans and a 'friend' (φίλος, philos) who shares intimacy and counsel was stark. Slaves had no legal rights to their master's trust or private affairs; they executed commands without knowing the 'why.' Friends, however, were equals in a different sphere, sharing confidences. Jesus deliberately redefines their status to assure them of deep partnership and inclusion in God's eternal purposes.

John 15 15 Word analysis

• No longer: (οὐκέτι, ouketi) This signifies a decisive and complete termination of a previous status or condition. It indicates a permanent shift, not just a temporary change.
• Servants: (δοῦλος, doulos) In ancient contexts, a "doulos" was a slave or bond-servant. Such individuals were property, with no inherent rights or social standing. Crucially, they were not privy to their master's inner thoughts, plans, or motivations; they simply obeyed commands. Jesus' use of this term here highlights the low status from which He elevates His disciples.
• For: (ὅτι, hoti) Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
• The servant/a slave: Refers generally to anyone in the position of a doulos, reinforcing the contrast.
• Does not know: (οἶδεν, oiden) This word refers to a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. A servant lacks this profound understanding of their master's operations and purposes.
• What his master is doing: Refers to the master's plans, objectives, and specific actions. Slaves execute tasks but are often ignorant of the broader strategy or ultimate goal.
• But I have called you friends: (ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμᾶς εἴρηκα φίλους, ego de hymas eireka philous) A pivotal statement marking a new and elevated status. Jesus explicitly confers the title "friends" upon them, a term carrying significant social weight of trust, intimacy, and shared counsel in that era. This is an intentional reclassification by Jesus Himself.
• For: (ὅτι, hoti) Again, provides the reason for the "friend" designation.
• Everything: (πάντα, panta) Denotes completeness, absolute inclusiveness. It implies that nothing essential from the Father's revelation has been withheld.
• That I have heard from my Father: This emphasizes Jesus' unique and direct access to God the Father. He is the ultimate source of divine knowledge, perfectly transmitting the Father's will and truth. It also highlights His submission to the Father as a Son.
• I have made known to you: (ἐγνώρισα ὑμῖν, egnōrisa hymin) Means to reveal, to impart knowledge. It signifies that Jesus has openly and transparently shared these divine truths with His disciples. This act of revelation forms the basis of their friendship and intimacy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "No longer servants": This phrase asserts an end to a former relational paradigm. It doesn't deny the role of service but transcends its limitations regarding intimacy and knowledge. The disciple's relationship with God moves beyond mere duty.
• "for the servant does not know what his master is doing": This provides the clear cultural and functional distinction. Servitude implies ignorance of the master's overarching agenda, operating under command without comprehension. It highlights the hierarchical distance.
• "but I have called you friends": This is Jesus' affirmative redefinition. The divine initiative shifts their identity and standing. The term "friends" signifies a relationship characterized by mutual trust, open communication, and shared interests—a radical shift from a typical master-slave dynamic.
• "for everything that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you": This reveals the practical foundation of their friendship. Jesus' transparency and full disclosure of the Father's purposes (through His teachings) distinguish their status from servants. It means sharing divine counsel, indicating a high level of confidence and intimacy.

John 15 15 Bonus section

This declaration carries profound polemic implications against any notion of a distant, unknowable God or a religious system that reserves knowledge exclusively for an elite. Jesus dismantles such barriers by inviting all who abide in Him into His innermost counsel. It highlights Christology: Jesus, as the unique Son, perfectly knows the Father and perfectly reveals Him. Therefore, access to God's deepest purposes comes through Jesus. The "friendship" also implies a shared future and destiny. Just as human friends might share a common path and vision, these disciples are now partners in God's eternal kingdom work, sharing in His sorrows and His joys, even in His mission to the world. It’s a call to both privilege and costly discipleship, where intimate knowledge fuels obedient, sacrificial love.

John 15 15 Commentary

John 15:15 is a radical statement by Jesus, especially within its historical and cultural context. He elevates His followers from mere servants, who perform tasks without knowing the master's true intent, to friends, who are privy to His confidences and plans. This declaration is rooted in Jesus' unique access to the Father ("everything I have heard from my Father") and His deliberate act of revealing these divine truths to His disciples ("I have made known to you"). It underscores a covenant of unprecedented intimacy and trust. While their service and obedience are still expected (as indicated throughout the Vine discourse), it is now the service of a beloved friend rather than a blind slave. This elevates their responsibility, as understanding God's will demands more engaged participation. It signifies not merely a personal relationship, but one of partnership in the divine mission, where the disciples are entrusted with God's very secrets. For instance, like Abraham, who was considered a friend of God because God revealed His plans for Sodom to him, the disciples now enter a similar sphere of divine counsel.