John 15:15

KJV

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Henceforth {G3765} I call {G3004} you {G5209} not {G3765} servants {G1401}; for {G3754} the servant {G1401} knoweth {G1492} not {G3756} what {G5101} his {G846} lord {G2962} doeth {G4160}: but {G1161} I have called {G2046} you {G5209} friends {G5384}; for {G3754} all things {G3956} that {G3739} I have heard {G191} of {G3844} my {G3450} Father {G3962} I have made known {G1107} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Berean Standard Bible

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

American Standard Version

No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 15:15, Jesus profoundly redefines His relationship with His disciples, elevating them from mere servants to intimate friends. This declaration, made during His Farewell Discourse, signifies a radical shift from a relationship based solely on obedience to one characterized by shared knowledge, mutual trust, and deep affection, made possible because Jesus has revealed the Father's heart and plans to them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") is embedded within Jesus' Farewell Discourse (chapters 13-17), a deeply personal and theological instruction given to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Immediately prior, Jesus has established the foundational metaphor of the [true vine and the branches](/john/15-1-11 "John 15:1-11 - The Parable of the True Vine"), emphasizing the vital necessity of abiding in Him for spiritual fruitfulness. He then reiterates the new commandment to [love one another](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - The New Commandment to Love"), linking obedience to love. This verse follows directly from [John 15:14](/john/15-14 "John 15:14 - You are My friends if you do what I command you"), where Jesus states, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." The transition from "servant" to "friend" in verse 15 is therefore not a dismissal of obedience, but an elevation of the *reason* for obedience—from blind adherence to informed, loving participation in God's revealed will. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His physical departure by assuring them of a continued, even deeper, spiritual intimacy and partnership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, the relationship between a master (κύριος, _kýrios_) and a servant or slave (δοῦλος, _doûlos_) was rigidly hierarchical. A servant's duty was to obey commands without necessarily understanding the master's intentions, business, or future plans. They were property, not confidantes. Conversely, "friendship" (φιλία, _philia_) was a highly esteemed concept, often implying a bond of loyalty, shared life, and mutual trust, where secrets and confidences could be exchanged. Philosophers like Aristotle extensively discussed the virtues of friendship, highlighting its reciprocal nature and the shared pursuit of good. By calling His disciples "friends," Jesus was shattering conventional social structures and offering an unprecedented level of intimacy that transcended the typical master-servant dynamic. This would have been a profoundly counter-cultural and revolutionary statement, signifying a radical redefinition of their relationship with the divine.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") is the **transformation of relationship** from one of servitude to one of intimate friendship. This transformation is predicated on **divine revelation**. Unlike a servant who acts without full knowledge, a friend is privy to the master's thoughts and plans. Jesus explicitly states that He has "made known" to them "all things that I have heard of my Father," signifying a profound act of **divine disclosure**. This revelation fosters **intimacy and trust**, inviting the disciples into a deeper understanding of God's heart and purpose. This elevated status implies a **partnership in mission**, where disciples are not merely executors of commands but informed participants in God's redemptive work. This echoes the unique relationship God had with [Abraham, who was called God's friend](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham called God's friend"), highlighting a covenantal intimacy now extended to all who follow Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** This term (G1401) refers to a slave or bond-servant, someone whose life is defined by obedience to a master, typically without full knowledge of the master's business or future plans. The servant's role is to execute commands, not to understand the underlying rationale or the master's heart.
* **friends (Greek, _phílos'_):** This word (G5384) denotes someone dear, an associate, or a companion. It implies a relationship built on affection, loyalty, and, crucially, shared confidences. Unlike a servant, a friend is someone with whom one shares intimate thoughts, plans, and purposes.
* **made known (Greek, _gnōrízō'_):** This verb (G1107) means to make known, declare, reveal, or make fully acquainted. It emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and active disclosure of divine truths and purposes to His disciples, distinguishing them from those who merely follow rules without understanding the underlying reason or ultimate goal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Henceforth I call you not servants;":** This phrase marks a decisive and permanent shift in the nature of Jesus' relationship with His disciples. The "henceforth" (G3765, _oukéti_) signifies a new era, a departure from the previous, more hierarchical dynamic. It's not that obedience is no longer required, but that the *basis* of the relationship has fundamentally changed.
* **"for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:":** This clause provides the rationale for the change. A servant operates from a position of ignorance regarding the master's deeper intentions or future actions. Their obedience is often blind, based solely on command, not on shared understanding or purpose. This highlights the limitation of the servant relationship for the mission Jesus is entrusting to them.
* **"but I have called you friends;":** This is the positive declaration of their new, elevated status. Jesus actively "calls" or "names" them friends, signifying a deliberate act of grace and invitation into a deeper bond. This is a profound privilege, moving them from a position of functional utility to one of relational intimacy.
* **"for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.":** This is the foundational reason for the new "friend" status. The essence of friendship, in this context, is shared knowledge and mutual understanding. Jesus, as the unique Son who intimately knows the Father, has chosen to disclose the Father's will, plans, and truths to His disciples. This revelation empowers them not just to obey, but to participate knowingly and willingly in God's redemptive work.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") is **Contrast**. Jesus deliberately juxtaposes "servants" with "friends" to highlight the radical transformation of the disciples' relationship with Him. The characteristics of a servant (lack of knowledge, blind obedience) are set against those of a friend (shared knowledge, intimacy, understanding of purpose). This contrast emphasizes the profound privilege and elevated status granted to the disciples. Furthermore, there is an element of **Revelation**, as Jesus explicitly states He has "made known" the Father's will, which is the very basis for this new friendship. This act of revelation underscores Jesus' role as the ultimate revealer of God's heart and plan to humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") reveals God's profound desire for intimacy with humanity, a theme woven throughout the biblical narrative. From the very beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, desiring fellowship. While sin broke this intimacy, God consistently sought to restore it through covenants and prophets, often revealing His plans to those He chose, such as Abraham. Jesus' declaration here marks the pinnacle of this divine pursuit, establishing a new covenant relationship where believers are brought into the very counsels of God through Christ. It signifies that the Christian life is not merely about adhering to rules, but about participating in a loving, informed relationship with the living God, understanding His heart and His mission.

* [Genesis 18:17](/genesis/18-17 "Genesis 18:17 - The Lord reveals His plan to Abraham")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham called God's friend")
* [Hebrews 3:5-6](/hebrews/3-5-6 "Hebrews 3:5-6 - Moses as a servant, Christ as a Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") profoundly reshapes our understanding of discipleship. It calls us beyond mere dutiful obedience to an active, informed, and intimate relationship with Jesus. To be a "friend" of Christ means we are invited into His confidence, privy to the Father's heart and purposes as revealed through Him. This privilege carries a responsibility: to diligently seek to understand God's Word, to cultivate a prayer life marked by open communication and listening, and to participate in His mission not as forced laborers, but as willing, understanding partners. It encourages us to move past a transactional faith to one rooted in deep affection and shared purpose, knowing that the God of the universe has chosen to reveal Himself and invite us into His inner circle. This truth should inspire awe, gratitude, and a passionate desire to live in light of such a remarkable friendship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding yourself as a "friend" of Jesus, rather than just a "servant," change your approach to prayer and obedience?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that Jesus has "made known" to you all things He has heard from the Father? How does this revelation impact your daily life?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper intimacy and understanding of God's heart, moving beyond superficial knowledge?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus calling His disciples "friends" instead of "servants"?**

Answer: The shift from "servants" (δοῦλοι, _doûloi_) to "friends" (φίλους, _phílous_) in [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") is profoundly significant. In the ancient world, a servant obeyed commands without necessarily understanding the master's full intentions or plans. Their relationship was one of duty and hierarchy. By contrast, friendship implied a bond of mutual trust, affection, and shared knowledge. Jesus explains the reason for this elevation: "for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." This means the disciples are no longer merely executing orders; they are now privy to the divine counsels, understanding God's heart, plans, and purposes. This elevates their status from blind obedience to informed partnership, inviting them into an unprecedented level of intimacy and shared mission. While obedience remains crucial, as highlighted in [John 15:14](/john/15-14 "John 15:14 - You are My friends if you do what I command you"), it is now an obedience born out of understanding and love, rather than mere obligation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus calls His disciples friends") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the one who *tells* us about the Father; He *is* the revelation of the Father. As [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has seen God, but the only Son has revealed Him") declares, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." Jesus, through His incarnation, life, teachings, death, and resurrection, perfectly embodies and discloses the Father's nature, will, and redemptive plan. He is the bridge that allows humanity to move from a distant, servant-like relationship with God to an intimate, friendly one. His atoning sacrifice on the cross removes the barrier of sin, making true fellowship possible. Through the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sends, believers continue to receive revelation and understanding of the Father's heart, enabling them to live as true friends of God, participating knowingly in His eternal purposes. This divine friendship, initiated by Christ, transforms us from strangers and aliens into [fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - No longer strangers, but fellow citizens and members of God's household").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Matthew 13:11

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Colossians 1:26

[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Revelation 1:1

¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: