At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. He said that he is the vine and his father the trimmer.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:2 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.
All vine branches in me not wanting to bear fruit, he removes it, and everyone bearing this fruit, he cleans it so that it might bear more fruit.
We can only bear fruit if we want to.
Note that a vine is not a vine without its vine branches, but it is also not a vine unless there is a connection between those vine branches. The word translated as "branches" specifically means "vine branches." Jesus uses another word to mean "branch" more generally.
The negative is translated as "not" and "no," referring to bearing fruit, but it means "not wanting" so the sense is that these "branches" don't want to bear fruit."
The word translated as "take away" and "cuts offs" is the root of the Greek word later translated as "purges" and "prunes." The root word means "lift away." But the verb translated as "purge" and "prune" means "to clean." The adjective form of the verb is translated as "clean" in the next verse. This connection is lost when incorrectly translated.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "bears" is not an active verb but a participle, "bearing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is the subjective negative of opinion with the sense of "not wanting," "not thinking" or not seeming when used with a non-opinion verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "it" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "branch" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "fruit" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "brings forth" is the same word translated as "bears" above.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "cuts off" should be something more like "remove."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "it" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "bears" is not an active verb but a participle, "bearing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "no" is the subjective negative of opinion with the sense of "not wanting," "not thinking" or not seeming when used with a non-opinion verb.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no(t)" doesn't negate the noun but the verb.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "while" should be something more like "and."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "branch" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "fruit" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "may."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "bears."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "brings forth" is the same word translated as "bears" above.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "fruitful" is not an adjective but the noun, "fruit."
Every -- The word translated as "every" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
branch - (CW) The Greek word translated as "branch" specifically can mean a "vine twig" or "cutting." This is the context here. Jesus only use it in the verses in this section of John about the vine. This is not the word used to refer, for example, the branches on fig trees.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me." As the dative object of a preposition implies no movement, but in a fixed position, events that occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
bears -- (WF) The verb translated as "bears" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." The form is not an active verb, but a participle.
not -- (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause.
fruit -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
takes away: -- "Takes away" is one of Christ's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "to take and apply to any use," "lifted" in the sense of "removed," and "to cause to cease." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. The verb also came to mean "remove" in the same way we describe stealing as "shoplifting."
missing "it" -- (MW) The untranslated word "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
every -- The word translated as "every" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
branch -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "branch" in the Greek source.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
bears -- (WF) The verb translated as "bears" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." The form is not an active verb, but a participle.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
fruit, -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
purges - "Purges" is a Greek verb means "to cleanse," "to purify" [in a religious sense], "to purge," "to evacuate," "to prune" [a tree], "to winnow," [grain], and "to wash off."
it, -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
may -- This helping verb "may" indicates that the verb indicates a possibility, the subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
bring forth -- (CW) The verb translated as "bring forth" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." This word is translated as "bears" above.
more -- The Greek word translated as "more " is an adjective that means "more" in many different senses of the word. Used as a noun, it means "a majority."
fruit. -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
He -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
cuts off: -- (WW) "Cuts off" is one of Christ's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "to take and apply to any use," "lifted" in the sense of "removed," and "to cause to cease." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. The verb also came to mean "remove" in the same way we describe stealing as "shoplifting." It does not mean "cut."
missing "it" -- (MW) The untranslated word "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
every -- The word translated as "every" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
branch - (CW) The Greek word translated as "branch" specifically can mean a "vine twig" or "cutting." This is the context here. Jesus only use it in the verses in this section of John about the vine. This is not the word used to refer, for example, the branches on fig trees.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me." As the dative object of a preposition implies no movement, but in a fixed position, events that occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
bears -- (WF) The verb translated as "bears" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." The form is not an active verb, but a participle.
no -- (CW, WP) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests, but it precedes the verb, not the noun "fruit."
fruit -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
while -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "while" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
every -- The word translated as "every" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
branch -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "branch" in the Greek source.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
bears -- (WF) The verb translated as "bears" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." The form is not an active verb, but a participle.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
fruit, -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
prunes - "Prunes" is a Greek verb means "to cleanse," "to purify" [in a religious sense], "to purge," "to evacuate," "to prune" [a tree], "to winnow," [grain], and "to wash off."
it, -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
so that -- The word translated as "so that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" or "because." -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (WW) This helping verb "will" should be one that indicates a possibility, "should" or "may" to reflextthe subjunctive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- (WW) The verb translated as "bring forth" means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch." It is the root word of a lot of other verbs Jesus uses commonly, including the words that mean "bring together," "bring to," and "bring through." Its use is more like our use of the word "get." This word is translated as "bears" above. This is not the verb "to be.
even -- -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "even" in the Greek source.
more -- The Greek word translated as "more " is an adjective that means "more" in many different senses of the word. Used as a noun, it means "a majority."
fruitful. -- (WF) The word translated as "fruitful" is not an adjective, but a noun that primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
πᾶν [212 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
κλῆμα [4 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc)"Branch" is from klema, which means "twig," "branch," "vine twig," "cutting," "slip," and "cane."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me."
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. With pres. or aor. subj. used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care" It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions.
φέρον [16 verses](part sg pres act neut nom/acc) "Bears" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
καρπὸν [32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
αἴρει [56 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Takes away" is airo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to raise up," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove." In some forms, it is the same as apaomai, which means to "pray to," or "pray for."
αὐτό, [720 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) Untranslated is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
πᾶν [212 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
καρπὸν [32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
φέρον [16 verses](part sg pres act neut nom/acc) "Bears" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
καθαίρει [1 verse] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Purges" is from kathairo, which means "to cleanse," "to purify" [in a religious sense], "to purge," "to evacuate," "to prune" [a tree], "to winnow," [grain], and "to wash off."
αὐτό, [720 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "It" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," but when beginning a phrase "that," "in order that," "when," and "because."
καρπὸν [32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
πλείονα [15 verses](adj sg masc acc comp) "More" is pleion, which means "more [of number, size, extent]," "longer [of time]," "greater than," "further than," (with an article) "the greater number," "the mass or crowd," "the greater part," "the advantage." As an adverb, "more," or "rather." Used as a noun, it means "a majority."
φέρῃ. [16 verses](verb 3rd sg pres subj act) "Bring forth" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
The same praise is repeated in the negative and positive (branch producing/not producing fruit), but the two phrases contrast the verbs airo (remove) and kathairo (cleanse), contrasting removing the branch and removing dirt or flaws or imperfections of the vine branch.