John 15:1

This is the last of Jesus’ "I am" claims in this Gospel. [Note: See John C. Hutchinson, "The Vine in John 15 and Old Testament Imagery in the ’I Am’ Statements," Bibliotheca Sacra 168:669 (January-March 2011):63-80.] Jesus and His Father occupy different roles in this extended metaphor.

Jesus is the true (Gr. alethinos, cf. John 1:9; John 6:32) vine. The Old Testament writers frequently used this plant to describe Israel (Psalms 89:9-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Isaiah 27:2; Jeremiah 2:21; Jeremiah 12:10; Ezekiel 15:1-8; Ezekiel 17:1-21; Ezekiel 19:10-14; Hosea 10:1-2). The nation’s failure to produce fruit and its consequent impending divine judgment are in view whenever the vine represents Israel in the Old Testament. [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 513.] Because of this identification and emphasis it is clearly with unfruitful and guilty Israel that Jesus contrasted Himself as the "true" vine. He would produce good fruit as God intended (cf. Psalms 80:7-9; Psalms 80:14-17). No vine can produce good fruit unless it is good stock.

The Father cultivates the vine as a farmer (Gr. georgos) does his vineyard. The idea of functional subordination within the Godhead appears again here. No vine will produce good fruit unless someone competent cares for it.