King James Version

What Does John 15:16 Mean?

John 15:16 in the King James Version says “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your f... — study this verse from John chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

John 15:16 · KJV


Context

14

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15

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.

16

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.

17

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

18

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus declares 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you' (ouch hymeis me exelexasthe all' ego exelexamen hymas). This asserts divine initiative - salvation begins with God's elective choice, not human decision. The verb eklego means to select, to choose out. Jesus then states His purpose: 'and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit' (kai etheka hymas hina hymeis hypagete kai karpon pherete). The verb tithemi (ordained/appointed) indicates authoritative commissioning. Believers are chosen for mission - to go and bear fruit. The fruit's permanence follows: 'and that your fruit should remain' (kai ho karpos hymon mene). The verb meno again - fruitfulness that endures. The promise concludes: 'that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you' (hina ho ti an aitesete ton patera en to onomati mou do hymin). Fruitful mission is supported by answered prayer.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' assertion of divine election contradicted rabbinic model where students chose their rabbi. Jesus chose His disciples (Mark 3:13), reversing normal pattern. Early church understood conversion as divine calling - God draws people to Christ (John 6:44). Augustine's theology emphasized that grace precedes and enables response - humans love God because He first loved them. Pelagian controversy centered on divine initiative versus human autonomy. Reformation theology developed doctrines of election and predestination based on passages like this. Arminian theology reinterpreted election as corporate (God chooses the church) or based on foreseen faith. The verse's emphasis on fruit-bearing and mission reminds that election is not for privilege but purpose - chosen to go and bear fruit. Modern debate continues about election's nature, but Jesus' emphasis is clear: salvation originates in divine choice, not human merit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' declaration 'I have chosen you' shape our understanding of salvation's origin and human responsibility?
  2. What is the relationship between being chosen, being ordained to bear fruit, and having prayer answered?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
οὐχ1 of 35

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὑμεῖς2 of 35

Ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

με3 of 35

me

G3165

me

ἐξελεξάμην4 of 35

chosen

G1586

to select

ἀλλ'5 of 35

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐγὼ6 of 35

I

G1473

i, me

ἐξελεξάμην7 of 35

chosen

G1586

to select

ὑμᾶς8 of 35

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ9 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔθηκα10 of 35

ordained

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

ὑμᾶς11 of 35

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἵνα12 of 35

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ὑμεῖς13 of 35

Ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ὑπάγητε14 of 35

should go

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

καὶ15 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καρπὸς16 of 35

fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

φέρητε17 of 35

bring forth

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

καὶ18 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

19 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρπὸς20 of 35

fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

ὑμῶν21 of 35

that your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

μένῃ22 of 35

should remain

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἵνα23 of 35

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

24 of 35
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τι25 of 35
G5100

some or any person or object

ἂν26 of 35

whatsoever

G302

whatsoever

αἰτήσητε27 of 35

ye shall ask

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

τὸν28 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα29 of 35

of the Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἐν30 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ31 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματί32 of 35

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

μου33 of 35

my

G3450

of me

δῷ34 of 35

he may give it

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ὑμῖν35 of 35

you

G5213

to (with or by) you


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 15:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 15:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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