John 15:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

Berean Standard Bible:

You are My friends if you do what I command you.

American Standard Version:

Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye^{G5210} are^{G2075} my^{G3450} friends^{G5384}, if^{G1437} ye do^{G4160} whatsoever^{G3745} I^{G1473} command^{G1781} you^{G5213}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for John 15:14

John 15:14 is part of Jesus' farewell discourse given during the Last Supper, which is set in the context of the Passover festival in Jerusalem. This verse is embedded within the larger metaphor of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-17), where Jesus teaches about the relationship between himself (the true vine), God the Father (the vine grower), and believers (the branches). In this agricultural metaphor, Jesus emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to him in order to bear fruit, which symbolizes a life of faithfulness and obedience.

The verse, "You are my friends if you do what I command you," encapsulates several key themes:

1. **Friendship with Jesus**: This statement is revolutionary in its time, as it elevates the disciples from mere followers or servants to the status of friends. Jesus implies a relationship of mutuality, loyalty, and trust, which is grounded in intimacy and knowledge, rather than social status or power dynamics.

2. **Obedience to Jesus' Commands**: The condition for this friendship is obedience. Jesus links the maintaining of this intimate relationship with the active practice of his teachings. This aligns with the broader Johannine theme that love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to his commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23-24).

3. **The Nature of Discipleship**: The verse underscores the nature of discipleship as more than intellectual assent or emotional attachment; it requires a commitment to follow Jesus' teachings and example. This obedience is not seen as a burden but as a natural response to the love that Jesus has first shown to his disciples.

4. **The Role of Commandments**: In the Gospel of John, Jesus' commandments are distilled largely into the commandment to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17). This love is the hallmark of the Christian community and the means by which the world will recognize the disciples of Jesus.

In summary, John 15:14 reflects the transformative nature of the relationship that Jesus offers to his followers—a relationship based on friendship, grounded in obedience, and expressed through love and mutuality. This verse continues to challenge and inspire believers to live out their faith in active and tangible ways, reflecting the love of Christ in their lives.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2075
   There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστέ
   Transliteration: esté
   Pronunciation: es-teh'
   Description: second person plural present indicative of εἰμί; ye are:--be, have been, belong.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5384
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φίλος
   Transliteration: phílos
   Pronunciation: fee'-los
   Description: properly, dear, i.e. a friend; actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.):--friend.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3745
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅσος
   Transliteration: hósos
   Pronunciation: hos'-os
   Description: by reduplication from ὅς; as (much, great, long, etc.) as:--all (that), as (long, many, much) (as), how great (many, much), (in-)asmuch as, so many as, that (ever), the more, those things, what (great, -soever), wheresoever, wherewithsoever, which, X while, who(-soever).
   
8. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1781
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐντέλλομαι
   Transliteration: entéllomai
   Pronunciation: en-tel'-lom-ahee
   Description: from ἐν and the base of τέλος; to enjoin:--(give) charge, (give) command(-ments), injoin.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5213
    There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῖν
    Transliteration: hymîn
    Pronunciation: hoo-min'
    Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).