John 15:17

KJV

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

KJV (with Strong's)

These things {G5023} I command {G1781} you {G5213}, that {G2443} ye love {G25} one another {G240}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is what I command you: keep loving each other!

Berean Standard Bible

This is My command to you: Love one another.

American Standard Version

These things I command you, that ye may love one another.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 15:17 serves as a poignant, authoritative summation of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, emphasizing the singular, supreme imperative that defines His followers: mutual, self-sacrificial love. This command is not merely a suggestion but the culminating instruction, underscoring that the very essence of abiding in Christ and bearing spiritual fruit is expressed through the active, reciprocal love shared within the community of believers. It is the identifying mark and the foundational ethic for those who claim His name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the profound and intimate "Upper Room Discourse" (John 13-17), Jesus' final extensive teaching to His disciples before His crucifixion. It immediately follows the powerful metaphor of the vine and the branches in [John 15](/john/15 "John 15 - The True Vine"), where Jesus explains that abiding in Him (the vine) is essential for bearing fruit. The "fruit" is explicitly defined as obedience to His commands, particularly the command to love. Verse 17 directly reiterates and reinforces the command first given in [John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Love One Another as I Have Loved You"), and even earlier in [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment"), serving as a climactic summary of His ethical instructions. It signifies the purpose and outcome of their relationship with Him and with each other, flowing directly from their union with the True Vine.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Roman world, love was often transactional, based on utility, family ties, or romantic passion. The concept of *agape*—a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love—was revolutionary. Jewish society, while valuing love for God and neighbor as summarized in the Torah ([Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor")), often struggled with extending this love beyond their own people or towards enemies. Jesus' command for His followers to "love one another" in the specific way *He* loved them ([John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Love One Another")) was counter-cultural. It established a new, distinct community ethic that would set His disciples apart in a world often characterized by self-interest, division, and hostility. This command was given as Jesus prepared them for His departure and the challenges they would face, emphasizing that their internal unity and external witness would depend on this radical love.

* **Key Themes:** John 15:17 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores **The Centrality of Love** as the defining characteristic of Christian discipleship, not merely an optional virtue but a divine imperative. This love is presented as the very **Fruit of Abiding** in Christ, demonstrating that genuine spiritual life produces tangible expressions of selfless affection. Secondly, the phrase "one another" highlights the **Mutual and Reciprocal Nature of Love** within the Christian community, emphasizing horizontal relationships among believers as a visible testimony. This mutual love becomes the **Distinctive Mark of Discipleship**, as Jesus stated in [John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - By This All People Will Know"), serving as a powerful witness to the world. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Obedience to Christ's Commands** as the pathway to remaining in His love ([John 15:10](/john/15-10 "John 15:10 - Abiding in My Love")), making love the ultimate expression of that obedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **command (Greek, _entéllomai'_):** (G1781) This verb signifies an authoritative injunction, a solemn charge, or a divine mandate. It is not a mere suggestion or a polite request, but a binding instruction from one in authority. When Jesus uses "entéllomai," He underscores the obligatory nature of this love for His disciples, establishing it as a foundational principle of their new covenant relationship with Him and with each other. It carries the weight of a divine imperative.
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** (G25) This is the verb form of *agape*, a distinct type of love in Greek thought. Unlike *phileo* (brotherly affection) or *eros* (romantic desire), *agape* denotes a volitional, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love that seeks the highest good of the beloved, regardless of their merit or the cost to oneself. It is a love that originates from God Himself ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")) and is demonstrated supremely in Christ's sacrifice. Jesus commands His followers to embody this divine, active, and benevolent love towards one another.
* **one another (Greek, _allḗlōn'_):** (G240) This reciprocal pronoun emphasizes the mutual and communal nature of the command. It's not just about loving others generally, but specifically about the dynamic of love *within* the community of believers. This love is to be shared back and forth, creating a network of selfless care, support, and unity among those who follow Christ. It highlights the horizontal dimension of Christian discipleship, where the vertical relationship with God is expressed through loving relationships with fellow believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These things I command you":** This opening clause serves as a powerful summary statement, referring back to all the preceding teachings in the Upper Room Discourse, particularly the instructions on abiding in Him, bearing fruit, and the nature of His love. The phrase "I command you" (using *entéllomai*) asserts Jesus' divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of what follows. It signifies that the subsequent instruction is the culmination and essence of His final will for His disciples before His departure.
* **"that ye love one another":** This clause reveals the specific content and purpose of Jesus' ultimate command. The conjunction "that" (Greek, *hína*) indicates purpose or result, meaning "in order that" or "so that." The supreme purpose of all Jesus' preceding instructions and His own example is for His disciples to embody and practice *agape* love towards each other. This mutual love is not merely a byproduct but the very goal and distinguishing mark of their lives as His followers, intended to create a unique community and serve as a powerful witness to the world.

#### Literary Devices
John 15:17, though concise, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as Jesus reiterates the command to "love one another" multiple times throughout this discourse ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - A New Commandment"), [John 15:12](/john/15-12 "John 15:12 - Love One Another")). This repetition serves to emphasize the paramount importance and centrality of this instruction, ensuring it resonates deeply with the disciples. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Summary** or **Culmination**, drawing together the preceding teachings on abiding, fruitfulness, and the nature of divine love into a single, concise imperative. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("I command you") highlights the authoritative and non-optional nature of this instruction, transforming it from a mere suggestion into a foundational requirement for discipleship. Finally, the phrase "these things" acts as an **Anaphoric Reference**, pointing back to the entire body of Jesus' teaching in the farewell discourse, thereby imbuing the command to love with the weight and context of all that has been taught.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 15:17 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the very nature of God, who is love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")), is to be reflected in the lives of His children. This command to love one another is not an arbitrary rule but an invitation to participate in the divine life and character. It is the core of the New Covenant ethic, fulfilling and transcending the Old Testament Law, as love for God and neighbor summarizes all commandments ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandments")). This *agape* love is not naturally occurring in fallen humanity; it is a spiritual fruit enabled by the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live out Christ's example. Thus, the command is both a divine expectation and a supernatural enablement, forming the basis for true Christian community and a compelling witness to the world.

* [John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - A New Commandment")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - Beloved, Let Us Love One Another")
* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 15:17 challenges every follower of Christ to examine the quality and authenticity of their love for fellow believers. This is not a passive sentiment but an active, intentional, and often costly choice to prioritize the well-being and spiritual flourishing of others, even those who may be difficult to love. Living out this command means actively seeking reconciliation, extending forgiveness, practicing radical generosity, bearing one another's burdens, and speaking truth in love within the Christian community. It calls us to dismantle pride, selfishness, and judgment, replacing them with humility, empathy, and grace. When the world observes genuine, self-sacrificial love among Christians, it becomes a powerful, undeniable testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, demonstrating that God's love is real and active in the lives of His people. This love is both the foundation of Christian unity and the most compelling evangelistic tool.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does my daily life demonstrate the "agape" love Jesus commands for my fellow believers?**
* **Are there any relationships within my Christian community where I am struggling to apply this command to "love one another"? What steps can I take to cultivate this love?**
* **How does the mutual love among believers serve as a witness to those outside the church in my context? What might hinder this witness?**
* **Considering Jesus' example, what sacrifices might be required of me to truly love "one another" as He commanded?**

### FAQ
**What makes this command to "love one another" so important to Jesus?**

Answer: This command is paramount because it encapsulates the very essence of God's character and the new covenant He established through Christ. It's the ultimate expression of discipleship, demonstrating that believers are truly united with Christ and reflecting His nature. Jesus Himself stated that this mutual love would be the distinguishing mark by which all people would know His followers ([John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - By This All People Will Know")). It's not just an ethical guideline but a spiritual imperative that fosters unity, enables effective witness, and brings glory to God.

**Is this "love" merely an emotion, or something more?**

Answer: The Greek word *agapáō* (love) used here is far more than a fleeting emotion. It refers to a volitional, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love that actively seeks the highest good of the other, regardless of feelings or merit. It's a love that chooses to act for the benefit of the beloved, even to the point of personal cost. This is the same kind of love God demonstrated in sending His Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")) and that Christ exemplified in His life and death. It's a love that can be commanded because it's a choice and an action, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 15:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the supreme example of the *agape* love He commands. His entire life, from His humble incarnation to His sacrificial death on the cross, was a demonstration of loving "one another" to the uttermost. He loved His disciples, served them, taught them, and ultimately laid down His life for them, declaring, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only provided the pattern for this love but also the power for His followers to live it out. The Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent, indwells believers, enabling them to love with the very love of God. Thus, the command in [John 15:17](/john/15-17 "John 15:17 - Love One Another") is not a burden but a gracious invitation to participate in the Christ-like life, walking in love as He loved us ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Walk in Love")), reflecting His humility and selflessness to a watching world ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")).

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

John 15:12

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

1 John 3:14

¶ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

1 John 3:17

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.