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John 15:1-8
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • "Ask, Seek, Knock," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • XLVI.17-24; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • I.8, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XXV, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • I.23, I.33, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • X.21, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • Epistle LXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253)
  • XI.13, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From Augustine's Tractates on John:
    • Tractate 80 (15:1-3)
      • "For as the vine and its branches are of one nature, therefore, His own nature as God being different from ours, He became man, that in Him human nature might be the vine, and we who also are men might become branches thereof."
    • Tractate 81 (15:4-7)
      • "And so their having Christ abiding in them, and abiding themselves in Christ, are in both respects advantageous, not to Christ, but to the disciples. For when the branch is cut off, another may spring up from the living root; but that which is cut off cannot live apart from the root."
    • Tractate 82 (15:8-10)
      • "Love brings about the keeping of His commandments; but does the keeping of His commandments bring about love?"
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Whoever rests in Christ's doctrine abides in him, and therefore brings forth good fruit, and the Father will not deny anything to such a person as this."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "From a vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for a Christian temper, disposition, and life."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "If any one abide not in me - By living faith; not by Church communion only."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "As all spiritual fruitfulness had been ascribed to the mutual inhabitation, and living, active interpenetration (so to speak) of Christ and His disciples, so here the keeping up of this vital connection is made essential to continued fruitfulness."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "On the table, from whence they had just risen, was the 'fruit of the vine,' and the Lord had said he would never drink it again upon the earth."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, John 15:1-8, Meda Stamper, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
    • "Like the good shepherd of last week's text, this week's image of the vine is another extended metaphor, which also borrows from and adapts Old Testament imagery for Israel."
  • "On Being Pruned," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
    • "The cross was not the instrument that made it possible for God to love us, the cross is evidence and testimony to just how much God already loved us and God's promise to be with us through all things."
  • "Remaining, Requiring, Receiving," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2015.
    • " It seems powerfully suggestive to me to consider that "the word" of Jesus prunes us. Later, the Spirit will be that which convicts and convinces, but this metaphor of pruning seems very promising for preaching and teaching."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
  • The Risky Business of Bearing Fruit, Karoline Lewis, Working Preacher, 2015.
    • "Bearing fruit is risky business. It will reveal who you are and on whom and what you depend. It will expose your lack of self-sufficiency."
  • "Abide in Me As I Abide in You," Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure, 2015.
  • "Do Not Flag in Your Abiding," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2015.
  • "The Vine Abides," storytelling, Story Divine, 2015.
  • "Abiding Fruit," Jim McCoy, Ekklesia Project, 2015.
  • "The Vine and the Branches and My Ash Tree," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
  • "Connections," David Sellery, Episcopal Cafe, 2015.
  • "Abide in Me," Rick Fry, 2015.
  • "What Does It Mean to Abide?" sermon notes, Porter Taylor, The Liturgical Theologian, 2015.
  • "The Vine Abides," Casey FitzGerald,Faith and Wonder, 2015.
  • "Staying Open to the Source," Bob Stuhlmann, Stories from a Priestly Life, 2015.
  • "The True Vine," Thomas Beam, 2015.
  • Evangelio Comenario del San Juan 15:1-8 por Cristina Conti, Working Preacher, 2015.
  • Commentary, John 15:1-8, James Boyce, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "In the promise of an 'abiding' presence God's Easter people find not some abstract speculation about a distant or imaginary Trinity, but an invitation to experience the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a saving and liberating presence in the midst of our day-to-day world."
  • Jesus, the True Vine, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • "Getting Real," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2012.
    • "I think one of the difficulties of living in our age is that we're offered a lot of things as substitutes for honest-to-goodness relationships, and while they may be pretty good at what they were designed for, they're finally not actual relationships."
  • "Going Wild," Paul Bellan-Boyer," City Called Heaven, 2012.
    • "A vine will grow in any direction it is able. But Jesus' heavenly Father tends the vine..."
  • "Make Your Home in Me," Alye M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2012.
    • "Our lives express our relationship with Christ as the vine for which we are the branches."
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012.
    • "So for Jesus to say--or for the fourth gospel to have him say--that he is closer to God than Israel does not mean the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. It means the superiority of the way of Jesus over the way of the Judean religious power structure."
  • "The Vine and Core Strength," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
    • "How do you experience Jesus as your 'core strength' or your vine?"
  • "Abide is a wonderful verb," Katie Munnik, Presbyterian Record, 2012.
    • "Abiding in God is our response to the good shepherd passages, and involves community as well as individual action."
  • "Vines and Branches?" Nadia Bolz Weber, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • "There’s not a lot of agency for us in this text. God prunes us."
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, John 15:1-8, David Ewart, 2012.
    • "However, loving someone is not the same as feeding them. When we feed someone, we usually give them something they don?t have. But when we love someone, we don?t give them something they don?t have. Rather, we connect with something that is already in them."
  • Comentario del Evangelio por Amaury Tañón-Santos, San Juan 15:1-8, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • Commentary, John 15:1-8, Susan Hedahl, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 5B, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "The image of the tree, vine or plant is a rich source for spiritual reflection. It invites us to sense the divine as beneath us, rising up, rather than above us condescending."
  • Gospel Analysis, Pastor Edward Markquart, Sermons from Seattle, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks.
    • "Faith is always changing. Even though one is connected to the true vine. Even though one's faith is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Though the "root" of one's faith never changes, but from year to year one's faith needs pruning by God. Maybe some old habits or thoughts or attitudes or behaviors need to die, so that, through the power of Jesus, even more fruit will be produced in one's life."
  • Sermon Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2006.
  • "Your Purpose in Life," Preacher's Magazine, 2006: Listening to the Text, Engaging the Text, Preaching the Text.
  • "Connection," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "Do you consider yourself a team player or a loner? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of person?"
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Easter 5B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
    • "Take a trip to a vineyard if you can - or a garden centre - and learn about growing vines."
  • John 15:1-8, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's An Exegetical Study of the Common Lectionary, coordinated by Prof. John E. Alsup, features rough translation, disposition, immediate context, broader context, hermeneutical bridge, and contemporary address.
  • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "There are numerous Old Testament passages which refer to Israel as a vine: Ps. 80:8-16, Isa. 5:1-7, Jer. 2:21, Ezek. 15:1-8, 17:5-10, 19:10-14, and Hos. 10:1. The vine became symbolic of Israel, and even appeared on some coins issued by the Maccabees."
  • "Abiding in Christ (John 15)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The nature of the relationship between Christ and His followers was to change from a physical one to that which was spiritual, and the means of sustaining this kind of relationship are described for us."
  • "Eating and Bearing Fruit," "Fly Fishing and Faith: It's About Connection," Dale Fletcher, Faith and Health Connection, 2009.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Baarda, Tjitze, "Archaic Element in the Arabic Diatessaron: Ta 46:18 // John 15:2," Novum Testamentum, 1975.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Brosend, William, "Abiding Love," The Christian Century, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Caldwell, Frank H., "'Contact!': A Homily on John 15:1-12," Interpretation, 1947.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Crossan, John Dominic, "Aphorism in Discourse and Narrative," Semeia, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Derickson, Gary W., "Viticulture and John 15:1-6," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dillow, Joseph C., "Abiding Is Remaining in Fellowship: Another Look at John 15:1-6," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Eickmann, Jerrold A., "Third Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8," Concordia Journal, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 180)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hutchinson, John C., "The Vine in John 15 and Old Testament Imagery in the "I Am" Statements," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2011.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Laney, J. Carl, "Abiding Is Believing: the Analogy of the Vine in John 15:1-6," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lueking, F. Dean, "Abide in Me..." The Christian Century, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matthews, Victor H., "Treading the Winepress: Actual and Metaphorical Viticulture in the Ancient Near East," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Robert A., "The Perseverance of the Saints: A Theological Exegesis of Four Key New Testament Passages,"  Presbyterion, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Peterson, Robert A., "Union with Christ in the Gospel of John,"  Presbyterion, 2013.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pidgeon, George Campbell, "Root and Fruit of Christian Love: Reflections on John 13:34-35; 15:1-14," Theology Today, 1952.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Segovia, Fernando F., "The Theology and Provenance of John 15:1-17," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1982.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Warner, Andrew, "Kingdom Come," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wilson, Stan, "On the Vine," The Christian Century, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wink, Walter, "Abiding, Even under the Knife," The Christian Century, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Abiding Fruit," Juan Huertas, Day 1, 2015.
  • "Neither Heaven Nor Hell," the Rev. Benjamin Anthony, Day 1, 2009.
  • "Well-Connected Christians," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2006.
  • "Much Fruit," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle, 2006.
  • "The Branches," Easter 5 - 14 May 2006, Luke Bouman, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Easter 5, 2008
    • Easter 5, 2006
    • Easter 5, 2003
    • Easter 5, 2000
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Easter 5, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015. 2012.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," May 3, 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary. 2012.
  • "A Branch on the Tree, or a Stick in the Mud?" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Jesus Is the True Vine," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The True Vine," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
• Graphics, Multimedia & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, John 15:5, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: John 15:1-8, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • John 15:1-8, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • You Tube videos: Vine and Branches (Muddy River Media), I Am the Vine (Causeway Coast Vineyard), I Am the Vine (Ken Medema).
  • Commercial Site: I am the Vine (John 15:1-8), Visual liturgy / videos for Easter 5B, The Work of the People.
  • John 15:1, John 15:1, John 15:1-17, John 15:2, John 15:8, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • "You Are the Source," Hymn based on John 15:1-8, Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, 2012.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: John 15:4, 5. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Chief of Sinners
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Interconnectedness
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

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