The Meaning of John 15:16 Explained

John 15:16

KJV: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

YLT: 'Ye did not choose out me, but I chose out you, and did appoint you, that ye might go away, and might bear fruit, and your fruit might remain, that whatever ye may ask of the Father in my name, He may give you.

Darby: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have set you that ye should go and that ye should bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he may give you.

ASV: Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have chosen  you,  and  ordained  you,  that  ye  should go  and  bring forth  fruit,  and  [that] your  fruit  should remain:  that  whatsoever  ye shall ask  of the Father  in  my  name,  he may give it  you. 

What does John 15:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Again Jesus stressed that the initiative in the relationship between Him and His disciples lay with Himself, not them (cf. John 1:39; John 1:42-43; John 6:70; John 10:27). He probably did this because of their tendency to think too highly of themselves and since in their culture it was common for disciples to choose their rabbi. Even today students love to seek out the teacher of their choice and attach themselves to him or her.
He had chosen them to be His friends, but He had also appointed them to a specific task. They had a job to do as His servants, a mission to fulfill. Part of His purpose for them was that they bear fruit and that their fruit would have lasting effects. Evidently the fruit of their missionary outreach was particularly in Jesus" mind since He linked going with bearing fruit. In this case new converts are the fruits in view (cf. John 20:21).
Asking the Father in prayer in Jesus" name was necessary for fruit-bearing to happen. Jesus linked prayer and fruit-bearing in a cause and effect relationship. Prayer plays an essential role in the believer"s fruitfulness (cf. James 4:2).
The NIV translation is misleading. It implies that answers to prayer will be the disciples" reward for effective fruit-bearing. In the Greek text there are two purpose clauses each introduced by hina: "that you should go and bear fruit," and "that whatever you ask the Father ... He may give you." These purposes are coordinate, but logically praying precedes fruit-bearing (cf. John 14:12-14; John 15:7-8).
"Five characteristics of genuine love are detailed in John 15:13-16. True love is sacrificial; it is demonstrated in obedience in Christ; it always communicates truth; it takes the initiative in meeting the legitimate needs of others; and it will always bear fruit with abiding results." [1]

Context Summary

John 15:10-16 - "i Have Called You Friends"
We must estimate the Father's love to Jesus before we can measure His love to us. We are told to love one another with the same love, but enabling power is needed, or we can never fulfill His command. Our love is not like His, unless it is prepared to sacrifice itself even unto death. Not servants, but friends! The first stage is that of the bondservant, who does what he is told, not because he understands, but because he has no option. Friendship involves obedience on our part; and on His part the making known of the deep things of God. Even the Son learned obedience by the things which He suffered. It is by implicit obedience alone that we can pass into the closer intimacy of friendship and ultimately of sonship. There is no limit to what the Father will do for those whom His Son calls "friends." [source]

Chapter Summary: John 15

1  The union of Jesus and his members shown under the parable of a vine
18  The hatred of the world
26  The office of the Holy Spirit

Greek Commentary for John 15:16

But I chose you [αλλ εγω εχελεχαμην υμας]
First aorist middle indicative of εκλεγω — eklegō See this same verb and tense used for the choice of the disciples by Christ (John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:19). Jesus recognizes his own responsibility in the choice after a night of prayer (Luke 6:13). So Paul was “a vessel of choice” Appointed First aorist active indicative Second aorist active subjunctive of διδωμι — didōmi with ινα — hina (purpose clause). Cf. John 14:13 for the same purpose and promise, but with ποιησω — poiēsō (I shall do). See also John 16:23, John 16:26. [source]
Ye - chosen []
The pronoun is emphatic: “It was not ye that chose me.” [source]
Ordained [ἔθηκα]
Rev., appointed is better, because it divests the word of its conventional meaning. Ordain is from the Latin ordinare, and means to set in order. Thus, Robert of Gloucester's “Chronicle:” “He began to ordain his folk,” i.e., set his people in order. Hakluyt, “Voyages:” “He ordained a boat made of one tree.” The Greek verb means to set, put, or place. Hence of appointing one to service. See 1 Timothy 1:12. Wyc., Matthew 24:47: “Upon all his goods he shall ordain him.” [source]
Should go [ὑπάγητε]
Withdraw from His personal society and go out into the world. [source]
That whatsoever, etc. [ἵνα]
Coordinated with the preceding ἵνα , that, as marking another result of their choice and appointment by Christ. He has appointed them that they should bring forth fruit, and that they should obtain such answers to their prayer as would make them fruitful. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 15:16

Luke 6:13 He chose from them twelve [εκλεχαμενος απ αυτων δωδεκα]
The same root It was a crisis in the work of Christ. Jesus assumed full responsibility even for the choice of Judas who was not forced upon Jesus by the rest of the Twelve. “You did not choose me, but I chose you,” (John 15:16) where Jesus uses εχελεχαστε — exelexasthe and εχελεχαμην — exelexamēn as here by Luke.Whom also he named apostles (ους και αποστολους ωνομασεν — hous kai apostolous ōnomasen). So then Jesus gave the twelve chosen disciples this appellation. Aleph and B have these same words in Mark 3:14 besides the support of a few of the best cursives, the Bohairic Coptic Version and the Greek margin of the Harclean Syriac. Westcott and Hort print them in their text in Mark 3:14, but it remains doubtful whether they were not brought into Mark from Luke 6:13 where they are undoubtedly genuine. See note on Matthew 10:2 where the connection with sending them out by twos in the third tour of Galilee. The word is derived from αποστελλω — apostellō to send (Latin, mitto) and apostle is missionary, one sent. Jesus applies the term to himself (απεστειλας — apesteilas John 17:3) as does Hebrews 3:1. The word is applied to others, like Barnabas, besides these twelve including the Apostle Paul who is on a par with them in rank and authority, and even to mere messengers of the churches (2 Corinthians 8:23). But these twelve apostles stand apart from all others in that they were all chosen at once by Jesus himself “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14), to be trained by Jesus himself and to interpret him and his message to the world. In the nature of the case they could have no successors as they had to be personal witnesses to the life and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:22). The selection of Matthias to succeed Judas cannot be called a mistake, but it automatically ceased. For discussion of the names and groups in the list see notes on Matthew 10:1-4; and notes on Mark 3:14-19. [source]
John 14:13 Whatsoever ye shall ask [οτι αν αιτησητε]
Indefinite relative clause with οτι — hoti (neuter accusative singular of οστις — hostis), αν — an and the aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω — aiteō This is an advance thought over John 14:12. In my name First mention of his “name” as the open sesame to the Father‘s will. See also John 14:26; John 15:16; John 16:23, John 16:24, John 16:26. That will I do The Father answers prayers (John 15:16; John 16:23), but so does the Son (here and John 14:14). The purpose (ινα — hina clause with first aorist passive subjunctive of δοχαζω — doxazō) is “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Plead Christ‘s name in prayer to the Father. [source]
John 15:7 Ask whatsoever ye will [ο εαν τελητε αιτησαστε]
Indefinite relative with εαν — ean and present active subjunctive of τελω — thelō to wish, to will, and aorist middle imperative of αιτεω — aiteō to ask. This astounding command and promise (γενησεται — genēsetai future middle of γινομαι — ginomai it will come to pass) is not without conditions and limitations. It involves such intimate union and harmony with Christ that nothing will be asked out of accord with the mind of Christ and so of the Father. Christ‘s name is mentioned in John 15:16; cf. John 14:13; John 16:23. [source]
John 7:33 Yet a little while [ετι χρονον μικρον]
Accusative of extent of time. It was only six months to the last passover of Christ‘s ministry and he knew that the end was near. I go unto him that sent me See the same words in John 16:5. υπαγω — Hupagō old compound See John 16:7-10 for three words for going common in John (απερχομαι — poreuomai go for a purpose, υπαγω — aperchomai to go away, υπαγω — hupagō to withdraw personally). Hupagō often in John of going to the Father or God (John 8:14, John 8:21; John 13:3, John 13:33, John 13:36; John 14:4, John 14:5, John 14:28; John 15:16; John 16:4, John 16:7, John 16:10, John 16:17). See John 6:21. It was enigmatic language to the hearers. [source]
John 4:23 And now is [και νυν εστιν]
See this same phrase in John 5:25. This item could not be added in John 4:21 for local worship was not abolished, but spiritual independence of place was called for at once. So contrast John 5:25, John 5:28; John 16:25, John 16:32. The true worshippers See John 1:9 for αλητινος — alēthinos (genuine). Προσκυνητης — Proskunētēs is a late word from προσκυνεω — proskuneō to bow the knee, to worship, occurs here only in N.T., but is found in one pre-Christian inscription (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 101) and in one of the 3rd century a.d. (Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary). In spirit and truth This is what matters, not where, but how (in reality, in the spirit of man, the highest part of man, and so in truth). All this is according to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5) who is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). Here Jesus has said the final word on worship, one needed today. Seeketh The Father has revealed himself in the Son who is the truth (John 14:6, John 14:9). It does matter whether we have a true conception of God whom we worship. To be his worshippers Rather, “seeks such as those who worship him” (predicate accusative articular participle in apposition with τοιουτους — toioutous (such). John pictures the Father as seeking worshippers, a doctrine running all through the Gospel (John 3:16; John 6:44; John 15:16; 1 John 4:10). [source]
John 7:33 I go unto him that sent me [υπαγω προς τον πεμπσαντα με]
See the same words in John 16:5. υπαγω — Hupagō old compound See John 16:7-10 for three words for going common in John (απερχομαι — poreuomai go for a purpose, υπαγω — aperchomai to go away, υπαγω — hupagō to withdraw personally). Hupagō often in John of going to the Father or God (John 8:14, John 8:21; John 13:3, John 13:33, John 13:36; John 14:4, John 14:5, John 14:28; John 15:16; John 16:4, John 16:7, John 16:10, John 16:17). See John 6:21. It was enigmatic language to the hearers. [source]
Romans 4:17 Have I made [τέθεικα]
Appointed or constituted. For a similar sense see Matthew 24:51; John 15:16, and note; Acts 13:47; 1 Timothy 2:7. The verb shows that the paternity was the result of a special arrangement. It would not be used to denote the mere physical connection between father and son. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:18 Set [ἔθετο]
See on John 15:16, where the same word is used by Christ of appointing His followers. [source]
Ephesians 1:17 That - may give [ιναδωιη]
In Colossians 1:9 ινα — hina is preceded by αιτουμενοι — aitoumenoi but here the sub-final use depends on the general idea asking in the sentence. The form δωιη — dōiē is a late Koiné{[28928]}š optative (second aorist active) for the usual δοιη — doiē It occurs also in 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5; 2 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:18 in the text of Westcott and Hort. Here B 63 read δωι — dōi (like John 15:16) second aorist active subjunctive, the form naturally looked for after a primary tense This use of the volitive optative with ινα — hina after a primary tense is rare, but not unknown in ancient Greek. A spirit of wisdom and revelation (πνευμα σοπιας και αποκαλυπσεως — pneuma sophias kai apokalupseōs). The Revised Version does not refer this use of πνευμα — pneuma to the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 6:1; Romans 8:15), but it is open to question if it is possible to obtain this wisdom and revelation apart from the Holy Spirit. In the knowledge of him In the full knowledge of Christ as in Colossians. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:4 Beloved by God [ηγαπημενοι υπο του τεου]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω — agapaō the verb so common in the N.T. for the highest kind of love. Paul is not content with the use of αδελποι — adelphoi here (often in this Epistle as 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:10), but adds this affectionate phrase nowhere else in the N.T. in this form (cf. Judges 1:3) though in Sirach 45:1 and on the Rosetta Stone. But in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 he quotes “beloved by the Lord” from Deuteronomy 33:12. The use of αδελποι — adelphoi for members of the same brotherhood can be derived from the Jewish custom (Acts 2:29, Acts 2:37) and the habit of Jesus (Matthew 12:48) and is amply illustrated in the papyri for burial clubs and other orders and guilds (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Your election (την εκλογην υμων — tēn eklogēn humōn). That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:4 Your election [την εκλογην υμων]
That is the election of you by God. It is an old word from εκλεγομαι — eklegomai used by Jesus of his choice of the twelve disciples (John 15:16) and by Paul of God‘s eternal selection (Ephesians 1:4). The word εκλογη — eklogē is not in the lxx and only seven times in the N.T. and always of God‘s choice of men (Acts 9:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:8; 2 Peter 1:10). The divine εκλογη — eklogē was manifested in the Christian qualities of 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (Moffatt). [source]
1 Timothy 2:7 I am ordained [ἐτέθην ἐγω]
Better, I was appointed. See on John 15:16. [source]
Hebrews 12:11 It yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness [καρπὸν εἰρηνικὸν ἀποδίδωσιν δικαιοσύνης]
Perhaps with a suggestion of recompense for the long-suffering and waiting, since ἀποδιδόναι often signifies “to give back.” The phrase ἀποδιδόναι καρπὸν only here and Revelation 22:2. Καρπὸν fruitwith διδόναι togive, Matthew 13:8; Mark 4:8: with ποιεῖν tomake or produce, often in Synoptic Gospels, as Matthew 3:8, Matthew 3:10; Matthew 7:17; Luke 3:8; Luke 6:43, etc.: with φέρειν tobear, always and only in John, John 12:24; John 15:2, John 15:4, John 15:5, John 15:8, John 15:16: with βλαστάνειν tobring forth, James 5:18. Ἑιρηνικός peaceablein N.T. Only here and James 3:17, as an epithet of wisdom. Quite often in lxx of men, the heart, especially of words and sacrifices. The phrase καρπός εἰρηνικός peaceablefruit (omit the ), N.T.oolxx. The phrase fruit of righteousness, Philemon 1:11; James 3:18, and lxx, Proverbs 3:9; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:2; Amos 6:13: comp. Psalm 1:3; Psalm 57:11. The genitive of righteousness is explicative or appositional; fruit which consists in righteousness or is righteousness. [source]
Hebrews 1:2 Whom he hath appointed heir of all things [ὃν ἔθηκεν κληρονόμον πάντων]
For ἔθηκεν appointedsee on John 15:16. For κληρονόμος heirsee on inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4; and comp. on Christ as heir, Mark 12:1-12. God eternally predestined the Son to be the possessor and sovereign of all things. Comp. Psalm 89:28. Heirship goes with sonship. See Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7. Christ attained the messianic lordship through incarnation. Something was acquired as the result of his incarnation which he did not possess before it, and could not have possessed without it. Equality with God was his birthright, but out of his human life, death, and resurrection came a type of sovereignty which could pertain to him only through his triumph over human sin in the flesh (see Hebrews 1:3), through his identification with men as their brother. Messianic lordship could not pertain to his preincarnate state: it is a matter of function, not of inherent power and majesty. He was essentially Son of God; he must become Son of man. [source]

What do the individual words in John 15:16 mean?

Not you Me chose but I chose you and appointed that should go fruit you should bear the fruit of you should remain so that whatever - you might ask the Father in the name of Me He may give you
οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἐξελέξασθε ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην ὑμᾶς καὶ ἔθηκα ἵνα ὑπάγητε καρπὸν φέρητε καρπὸς ὑμῶν μένῃ ἵνα ὅ¦τι ἂν αἰτήσητε τὸν Πατέρα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου δῷ ὑμῖν

με  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐξελέξασθε  chose 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐκλέγομαι  
Sense: to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self.
ἐξελεξάμην  chose 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐκλέγομαι  
Sense: to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self.
ἔθηκα  appointed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: τίθημι  
Sense: to set, put, place.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ὑπάγητε  should  go 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ὑπάγω  
Sense: to lead under, bring under.
καρπὸν  fruit 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καρπός  
Sense: fruit.
φέρητε  you  should  bear 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: φέρω  
Sense: to carry.
καρπὸς  fruit 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καρπός  
Sense: fruit.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
μένῃ  should  remain 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μένω  
Sense: to remain, abide.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ὅ¦τι  whatever 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἂν  - 
Parse: Particle
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
αἰτήσητε  you  might  ask 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: αἰτέω  
Sense: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.
Πατέρα  Father 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ὀνόματί  name 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δῷ  He  may  give 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.