At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. He just said that branches are cleaned by his father.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.
John 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Stay in me, and I in you. Just as the branch doesn't have the power to bear fruit by itself unless it stays in the vine. In this way, neither do you, unless you stay in me.
The ability to stand fast, like the ability to produce fruit, requires power.
The sense of this verse is that power flows through the vine and through Jesus. The word translated as "remain," expresses the ability to hold fast and stay where you are. In English, we describe this as "having staying power." The word translated as "can" refers to power directly. It means "having the power" to do something. It is the source of our words "dynamic," and "dynamo." It is not at all like our meek helper verb "can." It is the active verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "bear" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to infinitive."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in this way" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "more" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "as" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "as" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but with the verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "bear" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to infinitive."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "except" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "must" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in this way" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "bear fruit" doesn't exist in the source.
Abide -- The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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." A 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.
and I -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I". When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
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.
you. - The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
As -- "As" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
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.
can- -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. --
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
bear -- (WF) The verb translated as "bare" 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 is not an active verb, but an infinite.
fruit -- The Greek term translated as "mote" means something small like "twig", "straw," or "chaff." These terms, especially "chaff" have the sense of "trash", "rubbish," and "remains."
of -- (CW) The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
itself, -- "Itself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on. " When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own."
except - - "Except" is from a phrase that literally means "when not". In English, we say "unless" and "except" to capture this idea. The negative used is the one of subjective opinion, used with when/if clauses. It does not negate the verb.
it-- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
abide -- The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
vine; - The term translated as "vine" is means "vine" and specifically "grape vine." This word only appears in the Last Supper when Jesus says he might never drink the fruit of the "vine" again and in John where he describes himself as the vine.
missing "in this way" -- (MW) The untranslated word "thus" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
no "-- (CW) The Greek word for "no" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. It is not the simple negative "no."
more -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "more" in the Greek source.
can -- This verb is assumed because the following subject noun has no verb.
you, -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. It has no verb.
except - "Except" is from a phrase that literally means "when not". In English, we say "unless" and "except" to capture this idea. The negative used is the one of subjective opinion, used with when/if clauses.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
abide -- The word translated as "abide" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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." A 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.
Remain -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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." A 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.
as -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" here in the Greek source.
I also -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I". When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
remain -- There is no verb here, but this it be assumed from the subject form of the pronoun.
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.
you. - The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
missing "as" -- (MW) The untranslated word "as" is from a Greek word that means which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
No -- (WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. This negates the verb, not the noun.
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.
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.
can- -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. --
bear -- (WF) The verb translated as "bare" 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 is not an active verb, but an infinite.
fruit -- The Greek term translated as "mote" means something small like "twig", "straw," or "chaff." These terms, especially "chaff" have the sense of "trash", "rubbish," and "remains."
by --The word translated as "by" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
itself, -- "Itself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on. " When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own."
missing "except" -- (MW) The untranslated word "except" is from a phrase that literally means "when not". In English, we say "unless" and "except" to capture this idea. The negative used is the one of subjective opinion, used with when/if clauses.
it-- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
must-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" in the Greek source.
remain - The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
vine; - The term translated as "vine" is means "vine" and specifically "grape vine." This word only appears in the Last Supper when Jesus says he might never drink the fruit of the "vine" again and in John where he describes himself as the vine.
missing "in this way" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in this way" is in its adverbial form, so it means "in this manner," "so much," or "in this way."
Neither "-- The Greek word for "no" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.
can -- This verb is assumed because the following subject noun has no verb.
you, -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. It has no verb.
bear fruit -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "can bear" in the Greek source.
unless - "Unless " is from a phrase that literally means "when not". In English, we say "unless" and "except" to capture this idea. The negative used is the one of subjective opinion, used with when/if clauses.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed.
remain -- The word translated as "remain" has the sense of to "stay," "stand fast," or "remain." Though often translated as "dwell", especially in the KJV, it does not mean to stay in a dwelling place.
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." A 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.
μείνατε [27 verses](verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Abide" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
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."
κἀγὼ [31 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom ) "And...I" is kago, a contraction of kai-ego. "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." "I" is -ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and "for myself."
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."
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." -
καθὼς [36 verses] (adv) "As" is kathos, which means "even as," "how," and, in relating to time, "as" and "when."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κλῆμα [4 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc)"Branch" is from klema, which means "twig," "branch," "vine twig," "cutting," "slip," and "cane." -
οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
δύναται [61 verses](3rd sg pres ind mp) "Can" is the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities," "to be able," and "to be strong enough."
καρπὸν [5 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Mote" is karphos, which means "any small dry body", "dry stalk", "dry twigs", "chips," "chaff," "straws", "bits of wool", "toothpick", "a small piece of wood on which the watchword was written," and "ripe fruit[plural],."
φέρειν [16 verses](verb pres inf act) "Bear" is phero, which means "to bear," "to carry," "to bring," "to produce," and "to fetch."
ἀφ᾽ [190 verses](prep) "Of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Usually takes the genitive object.
ἑαυτοῦ [75 verses](adj sg neut gen) "Itself" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself" "themselves," and "ourselves." It is not the common pronoun meaning simply "he," "she," "them," etc.
ἐὰν μὴ [30 verses](conj particle) "Except" is ean me, which literally means "when not," but it is special construction in Greek that is best translated as "except" or "unless" in English. "When" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. "Not" is mê (me) is the negative used in when/if-clauses. -
μένῃ [27 verses](verb 3rd/2nd sg pres subj mp) "Abide" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
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."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀμπέλῳυ [6 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Vine" is from ampelos, which means "any climbing plant with tendrils", "grape vine", "wild vine," and "vineyard." -
οὗτός [54 verses](adv) Untranslated is houtos, an adverb that means "in this way," "therefore," "so much," "to such an extent," and "that is why."
οὐδὲ [51 verses](partic) "No more" is oude, which, as a conjunction, means "but not," "neither," and "nor." As an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however.
ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."
ἐὰν μὴ [8 verses](conj particle) "Except" is ean me, which means "when not." "When" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. "Not" is mê (me) is the negative used in when/if-clauses. -
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."
μένητε. [27 verses](verb 2nd pl pres subj act) "Abide" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
My Greek source also includes the following sentence, but in the English translations it appears in the next verse:
ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος, ὑμεῖς τὰ κλήματα.
The two meanings of the word meno: "force" as a noun and "to stay" as a verb. The several meaning of kago.