John 15:2 kjv
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:2 nkjv
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:2 niv
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
John 15:2 esv
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:2 nlt
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
John 15 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 15:2 | Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away. | John 15:6 (condemnation for unfruitfulness) |
| Isaiah 27:10 | Yet the fortified city will be deserted... | Romans 11:22 (grafting and cutting off) |
| John 15:8 | By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit... | John 15:16 (fruit that abides) |
| Matthew 3:10 | The axe is already at the root of the trees... | Luke 13:7 (barren fig tree) |
| Hebrews 12:6 | whom the Lord loves he disciplines... | Proverbs 3:11-12 (discipline) |
| 1 Corinthians 3:15 | If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss... | 1 Corinthians 6:12 (everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial) |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace... | Galatians 5:17 (flesh lusts against the Spirit) |
| 2 Peter 1:5-8 | supply to your faith goodness... | 1 John 2:4 (one who says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments) |
| Ephesians 5:9 | for the fruit of light is found in all that is good... | Philippians 1:11 (filled with the fruits of righteousness) |
| Colossians 1:10 | so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord... | John 15:5 (apart from me you can do nothing) |
| Acts 1:8 | you will be my witnesses... | Matthew 28:19-20 (making disciples) |
| John 3:5 | Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit..." | Titus 3:5 (regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit) |
| 1 John 1:7 | but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light... | 1 John 3:14 (love for brothers) |
| James 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only... | James 2:17 (faith without works is dead) |
| Jeremiah 17:7-8 | But blessed is the one whose trust is in the Lord... | Psalm 1:3 (fruit in its season) |
| Revelation 2:5 | but I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. | Revelation 3:16 (lukewarmness) |
| Matthew 7:19 | Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down... | Luke 6:43 (good tree bears good fruit) |
| John 15:6 | If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers... | John 15:4 (abide in me, and I in you) |
| 1 Corinthians 9:24 | Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?... | Philippians 3:14 (pressing toward the goal) |
| Hebrews 6:4-6 | For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened... | 2 Timothy 2:12 (if we endure, we will also reign with him) |
John 15 verses
John 15 2 Meaning
Jesus explains that any branch of Him that does not bear fruit, meaning one who does not live a life of obedience and good works as a follower of Christ, will be pruned by God. This pruning is not necessarily a punishment leading to eternal separation, but rather a corrective measure to make the unfruitful branch more fruitful.
John 15 2 Context
This verse is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples during the Last Supper, found in the Gospel of John, chapters 13-17. In this section, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He uses the metaphor of a vine and its branches to explain the vital, organic relationship between Himself, as the true vine, and His followers, the branches. The preceding verses (John 15:1) establish this foundational truth. This immediate context emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ for fruitfulness. The historical and cultural context involves understanding Jewish agricultural practices and the symbolism of the vine, which often represented Israel. Jesus is redefining this, presenting Himself as the true vine.
John 15 2 Word Analysis
pan (πᾶν): every, all. Signifies a comprehensive sweep; no exception is made for any branch.
kremáto (κρέμαται): hang, bear fruit. This Greek word has nuances related to bearing fruit. In the context of a vine, it signifies the production of grapes or, in this metaphorical sense, good works and spiritual fruit.
en emoi (ἐν ἐμοὶ): in me. This phrase is crucial, indicating an intimate union and indwelling life. It’s not just association but a deep connection to Christ's very being.
o ou (ὃ οὐ): which not, that not. A relative pronoun introducing a negative clause.
poiei (ποιεῖ): makes, does, bears. Implies action or production.
karpón (καρπόν): fruit. Refers to the produce of the vine, but metaphorically, it signifies the spiritual blessings, good deeds, and righteous character produced in the life of a believer.
airei (αἴρει): takes away, lifts up, removes. This Greek word can carry a sense of taking up or away, or even destruction. Its specific meaning here is debated but strongly suggests removal, disciplinary action, or purification.
Phrases/Groups of words:
- "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit": This describes a professing believer who, despite being outwardly connected to Christ (a "branch in me"), shows no evidence of spiritual life or good works. It points to a life disconnected from the source of true life.
- "he takes away": This action of the vinedresser (God the Father) signifies removing what is not contributing to the purpose of the vine – fruit-bearing. This could mean removing the branch entirely (judgment) or pruning it back for future fruitfulness. The intensity of the removal is conveyed by airei.
John 15 2 Bonus Section
The analogy extends beyond mere produce. The "fruit" Jesus expects is not just external good deeds but the character that flows from abiding in Him. The word "prune" (kathairo - καθαίρω, implied in "takes away" or "prunes") in the Greek suggests a purification process. God’s pruning is a painful but ultimately beneficial act of cleansing that prepares the believer for more abundant fruit. The intensity of "takes away" (airei) highlights the seriousness of unfruitfulness and God’s commitment to the health of His spiritual vineyard.
John 15 2 Commentary
Jesus clearly outlines a condition for the life of a believer: fruit-bearing. This is not the basis of salvation, but an evidence and outflow of salvation. Those branches that are connected to the true vine but produce no fruit are identified for removal or pruning by God the Father. This action serves the purpose of the vinedresser, which is to promote greater fruitfulness, either through discipline for those who belong to Christ, or complete removal for those who merely appeared to be branches. The Father's careful tending ensures the health and productivity of His vine.
- Practical application: Believers should continually examine their lives for evidence of spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.) and repentance. Where there is an absence of fruit, it calls for deeper reliance on Christ and yielding to the Holy Spirit, potentially through repentance and a renewed commitment to obedience, which is a form of pruning for healthier growth.