John 15 3

John 15:3 kjv

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:3 nkjv

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

John 15:3 niv

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

John 15:3 esv

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

John 15:3 nlt

You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

John 15 verses

John 15 3 Meaning

John 15:3 declares to Jesus' disciples that their current state of purity, or cleanness, has been established by the entirety of His teaching and revelation that He has communicated to them. This purity is not achieved through ritualistic observances or personal merit, but is a divine work initiated and sustained by the power of Jesus' authoritative words. It signifies a foundational spiritual purification, setting them apart and enabling their relationship with Him.

John 15 3 Context

John 15:3 is part of Jesus' final discourse to His disciples before His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. This specific chapter presents the powerful metaphor of Jesus as the "true vine" and His disciples as the "branches." This imagery conveys the intimate union believers must maintain with Christ for spiritual life and fruitfulness. Verse 3 directly follows verse 2, where Jesus describes the Father's role as the vine-dresser: removing unfruitful branches and pruning fruitful ones. Verse 3 serves as a reassurance and distinction for the true disciples (excluding Judas, who had already departed), confirming their present state of being "clean" due to their acceptance of Jesus' word. This "cleanness" is distinct from the ongoing "pruning" process for further fruitfulness and is foundational for the command to "abide" in verse 4. Culturally, the vine imagery was potent in Israelite tradition, often symbolizing Israel (e.g., Ps 80:8; Isa 5:1). By declaring Himself the "true vine," Jesus redefined the source of true spiritual life and connection to God, shifting the focus from national or ceremonial identity to personal union with Him and His revelation. It subtly challenges contemporary Jewish understanding of purity which often relied on external observance, emphasizing an internal, spiritual cleansing by Jesus' truth.

John 15 3 Word analysis

• Already (Greek: ἤδη - ēdē): This temporal adverb emphasizes a present and completed reality. It highlights that the disciples' state of cleanness is not something they need to attain, but something already given and established. It contrasts with a future cleansing or an ongoing process of earning purity.
• you (Greek: ὑμεῖς - hymeis): A strong, emphatic plural pronoun. It specifies the true disciples, setting them apart from any who might only outwardly follow Jesus or fail to remain in Him (like Judas, already distinguished in Jn 13:10-11). It's a direct address affirming their unique status.
• are clean (Greek: καθαροί ἐστε - katharoi este): Katharoi means pure, clean, spotless, unmixed. Este is the present tense of "to be," indicating a current, existing state. This "cleanness" is spiritual and moral, a purification of their inner being. It is not ritualistic purity according to the Law, but a foundational setting apart for God's use, free from the defilement of unbelief and sin. It points to a saving separation from the world.
• because of (Greek: διὰ - dia): This preposition denotes the means, instrument, or agency. It clarifies how they became clean. Their cleanness is not self-generated or earned through effort but comes through an external source.
• the word (Greek: τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Refers to the collective body of Jesus' teaching, revelation, message, and commands that they have heard and received. It encompasses His entire gospel and truth. It is the living, transforming truth of God spoken through Christ.
• that I have spoken to you (Greek: ὃν λελάληκα ὑμῖν - hon lelalēka hymin): The perfect tense verb lelalēka (from laleō, to speak) indicates a past action (Jesus has spoken) with ongoing, abiding results. His spoken word, already delivered to them, is the continuous source and ground of their current clean state. This emphasizes Jesus' authority and His direct agency in their purification.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Already you are clean": This phrase highlights an accomplished spiritual status of purity for the true disciples. It signifies their saving union with Christ and separation from sin's dominion, distinct from a ceremonial clean status or self-righteousness. It is a declaration of their justified standing before God through Christ.
• "because of the word": Pinpoints the direct and specific cause of their cleanness. It is not external rituals, human efforts, or merely a change in behavior, but the power and truth inherent in Jesus' divine message. This positions the Word of Christ as the primary means of salvation and spiritual purification.
• "that I have spoken to you": Attributes the cleansing directly to Jesus Himself as the authoritative speaker of the divine "word." The perfect tense denotes that His speaking is a completed action that has established their permanent state of cleanness. This underscores the transformative power residing in His personal revelation and teaching, given directly to His followers.

John 15 3 Bonus section

The "cleanness" in Jn 15:3 refers to a status of initial, definitive purification that marks true disciples. This is distinct from ongoing "pruning" which removes hinderances to fruitfulness, leading to deeper sanctification. It highlights that the process of Christian life begins not with earning purity, but with receiving it by grace through Jesus' word. This emphasis on the spoken word as the cleansing agent is unique to Jesus' teaching, distinguishing true spiritual purity from mere external or ritualistic observances common in that time. It underscores the active, living power of God's revealed truth in transforming hearts and lives, setting apart His people for His purpose.

John 15 3 Commentary

John 15:3 acts as a vital transition in Jesus' discourse on the vine and branches. While verse 2 mentions the Father pruning fruitful branches for greater productivity, verse 3 declares a prior, fundamental cleanness that is already established for the true disciples. This cleanness is not the result of their own actions or obedience to the Law, but is entirely the work of Jesus through His "word"—His complete revelation, teachings, and saving truth.

This statement differentiates the disciples from those who merely pretend to follow or who ultimately fall away. They are not like the "branches that do not bear fruit" (v. 2) destined for removal. Instead, their acceptance of Jesus' spoken word—the gospel of His kingdom, His person, and His commands—has set them apart and spiritually purified them. This purification is foundational, granting them the ability to abide in Him (v. 4) and consequently bear spiritual fruit. It means they are rightly positioned to continue their journey of sanctification through pruning, built upon a settled status of purity provided by Christ. This purity is dynamic, equipping them for faithful living, reflecting a clean heart prepared to walk in God's ways and grow in holiness.