What does John 15:14 mean?

Explanation

John 15:14 speaks directly to the nature of the relationship between Jesus and His disciples.

The verse contains an imperative from Jesus, indicating the condition upon which His followers are regarded as His friends: obedience to His commandments.

While on the surface, the verse may seem to advocate a works-based friendship, a deeper reading suggests a relational dynamic based on love and voluntary submission to Christ’s teachings.

In essence, Jesus is stating that friendship with Him is characterized by a shared commitment to His mission and values, and that living according to His teachings is a natural outgrowth of a close relationship with Him.

The obedience referred to here isn’t a means to earning Jesus’ friendship; rather, it is evidence of an already established bond.

Historical Context

This verse is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse (John chapters 14-17), delivered to His disciples at the Last Supper before His crucifixion.

The era was marked by Roman occupation of Judea and a complex Jewish religious environment that included various sects such as Pharisees and Sadducees, with their own interpretations of the Law.

Jesus' teachings often brought Him into conflict with the established religious authorities.

In this private setting, Jesus seeks to prepare His disciples for His impending death and the subsequent challenges they will face, providing them with guidance and comfort, and establishing the fundamentals of Christian relational and community ethics.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, John 15:14 raises several points. The idea of a conditional friendship with Christ is not about legalism, but about mutual love and the transformative power of following Jesus.

Theologically, it points to sanctification – the process of becoming more like Jesus through obedience.

Some may view this verse in terms of covenantal theology, where the relationship between God and humanity is understood as a covenant bond, necessitating faithful adherence to God’s commands.

Others see it through a dispensational lens, focusing on the particularities of God’s relationship with different people over various periods, including the unique intimacy Jesus offers believers in this church age.

Practical Applications

John 15:14 has significant implications for daily living.

It suggests that the way believers live should reflect their relationship with Christ.

Obedience is not a burdensome task but a joyful expression of friendship with Jesus.

Practically, this can mean prioritizing time for prayer and Scripture reading, serving others, sharing the Gospel, maintaining integrity, and striving to live out Christ-like love and humility in every interaction.

This verse challenges Christians to reassess their lives in light of Jesus’ commandments and to actively nurture their relationship with Him.

Cross-References

• John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
• John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
• 1 John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
• John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
• 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.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse, as originally written in Greek, are φίλοι (philoi), which translates as “friends,” and ἐάν (ean), meaning “if,” indicating a conditional statement.

The word ἐντολάς (entolas), "commandments," refers to directives or prescribed rules governing behavior. It should be noted that the cultural understanding of “friends” in the ancient world encompassed not just companionship, but also implied a bond of loyalty and mutual support.

Thus, the term "φίλοι" emphasizes a reciprocal relationship rather than a hierarchical one.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, friendship and loyalty were highly valued and often included in religious contexts.

For instance, in the narratives of Greek and Roman mythology, the gods occasionally formed friendships with mortals, but these were usually conditional upon the human’s continuous honor and sacrifices.

In the context of Judaism, the emphasis could be more on obedience to the Law of Moses as evidence of one’s dedication to God.

Comparatively, Jesus' model of friendship emphasizes a personal relationship and mutual love rather than purely transactional or ritualistic interactions.

Scientific Perspectives

The discussion of obedience and friendship addressed in John 15:14 intersects with modern psychological understandings of relationships and social behavior.

Research in cognitive psychology might explore how beliefs influence actions, and social psychology could study the group dynamics of religious adherence.

Additionally, neuroscience might investigate the neural correlates of ethical decision-making and the experience of community and attachment, providing insight into the biological underpinnings that could support the desire for adherence to a set of values or teachings.

Commentaries

Various commentaries provide a wide range of opinions on John 15:14:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes that obedience to Christ’s commandments is a necessary sign of true discipleship, highlighting the sweetness of the relationship Jesus offers.
• The MacArthur Bible Commentary mentions that the term "friends" signifies a unique, close association and that obedience is a byproduct and evidence of genuine discipleship and intimate communion with Christ.
• The IVP New Testament Commentary Series identifies the counter-cultural nature of Jesus’ redefinition of His relationship with His disciples, from that of master-servant to a more reciprocal friendship, bound by love and choice rather than by law or societal status.