At the Last Supper, Jesus gives his final message to the apostles. He just said that they have to be connected with him to bear fruit.
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I myself am the vine, you the branches. The one remaining in me and I in him, that one there bears much fruit because apart from me, you don't have the power to produce nothing.
Many of us don't have the power to do anything.
AS with the previous verse, this verse is about the power flows through the connection to 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. It is this power that allows for creation.
The last clause is a double negative. In Greek, this is a more emphatic negative than a single one, not a positive as in English.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "yourselves" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "he" is not the common word usually translated as "he."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinite.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "do" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to infinitive."
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "yourselves" is not shown in the English translation, but it is needed to capture the pronoun as well as the form of the verb.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "branch" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "if" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be something more like "the one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be something more like "that one."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "will" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. This is not an active verb, but an infinite.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "do" is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to infinitive."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
am - The verb "am" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
the -- The word translated as "the" before "vine" 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.
you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
are -- There is no verb "are" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
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.
branches: -- - (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.
He -- (CW) The word translated as "he" 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.
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.
abides -- The word translated as "abides" 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." 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.
, and I -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I".
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.
him, -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
the same -- "The same" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." It is in the form of a subject.
brings forth -- The verb translated as "brings 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."
much-- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
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."
for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
without -- "Without" is an adverb that which means "separately", "apart", "without", "apart from", "independently", "different from," and "otherwise than." It is a metaphor for a different kind, quality, or type.
me - "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
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.
do -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly. This is an infinitive, not an active verb.
nothing. -- The Greek adjective translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
am - The verb "am" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
the -- The word translated as "the" before "vine" 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.
you -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.
missing "yourselves" ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."
are -- There is no verb "are" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
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.
branches: -- - (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.
If -- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "if" in the Greek source.
you -- (WW) The word translated as "you" 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.
remain -- The word translated as "abides" 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." 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.
, and I -- -- This is from a contraction of the conjunction "and" and the subject pronoun "I".
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, -- (WW) The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
you -- (WW) "You" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." It is in the form of a subject.
will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
bear -- The verb translated as "bear" 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."
much-- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
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."
missing "because" -- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
apart -- "Without" is an adverb that which means "separately", "apart", "without", "apart from", "independently", "different from," and "otherwise than." It is a metaphor for a different kind, quality, or type.
from -- This word "from" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
me - "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
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.
do -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly. This is an infinitive, not an active verb.
nothing. -- The Greek adjective translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "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.
εἰμι .[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Am" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative. -
ἡ ['821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄμπελος [6 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Vine" is from ampelos, which means "any climbing plant with tendrils", "grape vine", "wild vine," and "vineyard."
ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis (humeis), which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κλήματα. [4 verses](noun pl neut nom/acc)"Branch" is from klema, which means "twig," "branch," "vine twig," "cutting," "slip," and "cane."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μένων [27 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "It would have remained" 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."
αὐτῷ [720 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Him" 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."
οὗτός [83 verses](adj sg masc nom) "The same" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer."
φέρει [16 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Bear" 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."
πολύν, [61 verses](adj sg masc acc ) "Much" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
χωρὶς [2 verses] (adv) "Without" is from choris, which means "separately", "apart", "without", "apart from", "independently", "different from," and "otherwise than." It is a metaphor for a different kind, quality, or type.
ἐμοῦ [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "Me" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." As a genitive object means movement away from something or a position away from something else.-
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. -- 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.
δύνασθε [61 verses](verb 2nd pl 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."
ποιεῖν [168 verses](verb pres inf act) "Do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with."
οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom /acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."