Relationships (JOHN 15:1-16:16)

Getting Started

From the Commentary

The cultivation of vineyards was important to the life and economy of Israel. A golden vine adorned Herod’s temple. When our Lord used this image, He was not introducing something new; it was familiar to every Jew. There are four elements in this allegory that we must understand to benefit from His teaching.

1. The vine

2. The branches

3. The vinedresser

4. The fruit

1. Go through John 15:1–17 and note all the references to the vine, branches, vinedresser, and fruit. What does each of these elements represent? How do they work together to make Jesus’ point?

Going Deeper

From the Commentary

Most of us have many acquaintances but very few friends, and even some of our friends may prove unfriendly or even unfaithful. What about Judas? “Yes, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9). Even a devoted friend may fail us when we need him most. Peter, James, and John went to sleep in the garden when they should have been praying, and Peter even denied the Lord three times. Our friendship to each other and to the Lord is not perfect, but His friendship to us is perfect.However, we must not interpret this word friend in a limited way, because the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. (In John 3:29, it refers to the “best man” at a wedding.) The “friends of the king” would be close to him and know his secrets, but they would also be subject to him and have to obey his commands. There is thus no conflict between being a friend and being a servant.

2. Let’s look at John 15:12–17. What does Jesus mean when He says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business”? What is the “master’s business” Jesus is referring to? How does the message of John 15:16 apply to each believer today?

From the Commentary

Our friendship with Christ involves love and obedience. But it also involves knowledge: He “lets us in on” His plans. Indeed, He is our Master (John 13:13, 16), but He does not treat us as servants. He treats us as friends, if we do what He commands. Abraham was God’s friend because he obeyed God (Gen. 18:19). If we have friendship with the world, we then experience enmity with God (James 4:1–4). Lot in Sodom was not called God’s friend, even though Lot was a saved man (2 Peter 2:7). God told Abraham what He planned to do to the cities of the plain, and Abraham was able to intercede for Lot and his family.It is interesting to note that, in John’s gospel, it was the servants who knew what was going on! The servants at the wedding feast in Cana knew where the wine came from (John 2:9), and the nobleman’s servants knew when the son was healed (John 4:51–53).One of the greatest privileges we have as His friends is that of learning to know God better and “getting in on” God’s secrets.

3. In John 15:15, Jesus tells His disciples, “Everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” What does this tell us about the importance of knowing God? How do we get to know God better?

From the Commentary

John 15:18–16:16 is tied together by two important themes: the opposition of the world against the church, and the ministry of the Spirit to and through the church. Our Lord had been talking about love (John 15:9–13, 17), but now He is talking about hatred, and He used the word seven times. It seems incredible that anyone would hate Jesus Christ and His people, but that is exactly what the situation is today, and some of that hatred comes from religious people. In a few hours, the religious leaders of Israel would be condemning their Messiah and crying out for His blood.Throughout the gospel of John, it is evident that the religious establishment not only opposed Jesus, but even sought to kill Him (John 5:16; 7:19, 25; 8:37, 59; 9:22; also note 11:8). As He continued His ministry, there was a tide of resentment, then hatred, and then open opposition toward Him. So, the disciples should not have been surprised when Jesus brought up the subject of persecution, for they had heard Him warn them and they had seen Him face men’s hatred during His ministry.

4. Read Matthew 5:10–12, 44; 10:16–23; and 23:34–35. What do these verses tell us about the inevitability of persecution? Why was there so much hatred of Jesus? How does that hatred trickle down to believers today? (See John 16:18–25.) What should our response be to that persecution?

From Today’s World

While American Christians have enjoyed the freedom to practice their faith freely, there are still places around the globe where Christians are persecuted and even killed for practicing their faith. And yet, they continue to practice, even in the face of danger. In China, churches that aren’t officially sanctioned by the government are shut down and members are imprisoned. Christians in India are often the target of more violent attacks.

5. Why does persecution of Christians continue today? What should our response be to the challenges faced by Christians in countries that aren’t friendly toward Christianity? What are some ways Christians are persecuted even in America? What does Jesus have to say to those who are persecuted?

From the Commentary

Jesus pulls no punches when He tells His disciples that their situation in the world will be serious and even dangerous. Note the progress in the world’s opposition: hatred (John 15:18–19), persecution (John 15:20), excommunication, and even death (John 16:2). You can trace these stages of resistance as you read the book of Acts.

6. According to John 15:18–16:4, why does the world hate Christians? Why does Jesus warn the disciples about persecution? (See John 16:4.) How does this truth apply to Christians around the globe today?

From the Commentary

Jesus emphasized His words and His works in John 15:22–24; 16:1–4. We have seen this emphasis throughout the gospel of John (3:2; 5:36–38; 10:24–27; 14:10–11). The people had no excuse (“cloak”) for their sin. They had seen His works and heard His word, but they would not admit the truth. All of the evidence had been presented, but they were not honest enough to receive it and act on it.This statement is parallel to what Jesus told the Pharisees after He had healed the blind man (John 9:39–41). They had to admit that Jesus had healed the man born blind, but they would not follow the evidence to its logical conclusion and put their trust in Him. Jesus told them that they were the ones who were blind! But since they admitted that they had seen a miracle, this made their sin even worse. They were not sinning in ignorance; they were sinning against a flood of light.

7. Jesus explains that people will persecute because they “have not known the Father or me.” And yet, the religious leaders heard the same message that Jesus’ followers heard. Why is sinning “against a flood of light” worse than sinning in ignorance? (See 2 Peter 3:5.) Why, even with all the evidence presented them, did so many people choose not to believe? How is this true even today?

From the Commentary

For three years, Jesus had been with them to protect them from attack, but now He was about to leave them. He had told them this earlier in the evening (John 13:33), and Peter had asked Him where He was going (John 13:36). However, Peter’s question revealed more concern about himself than about the Lord Jesus! Also, his question centered on the immediate, not the ultimate. It was necessary for Jesus to explain why it was important for them that He return to the Father.The major reason, of course, is that the Holy Spirit might come to empower the church for life and witness. Also, the ascended Savior would be able to intercede for His people at the heavenly throne of grace. With all of their faults, the disciples dearly loved their Master, and it was difficult for them to grasp these new truths.

8. Why is it significant that the Spirit comes to the body of the church and not to the world? (See John 16:5–11.) How does the Holy Spirit come to the body of the church? What are some ways the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in the church today?

From the Commentary

Our Lord was always careful to give His disciples the right amount of truth at the best time. This is always the mark of a great teacher. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher today, and He follows that same principle: He teaches us the truths we need to know, when we need them, and when we are ready to receive them.

9. Compare John 14:26 with 16:13. What does this comparison tell us about the way God arranged for the writing of the New Testament? Why is this important for us to know today?

10. In what ways do you see yourself as Jesus’ friend? Why is that important to you? What are some ways that being Jesus’ friend plays out in your faith life?

11. In what ways have you experienced hatred from the world? What was your response to that hatred? How can Jesus’ words in the gospel of John help you to endure the world’s hatred of Christians?

12. How do you see the Holy Spirit acting in your life today? In what ways does the Spirit act as Counselor for you? When do you most rely on the Spirit?