King James Version

What Does John 15:3 Mean?

John 15:3 in the King James Version says “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. — study this verse from John chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:3 · KJV


Context

1

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing . without me: or, severed from me


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (ἤδη ὑμεῖς καθαροί ἐστε διὰ τὸν λόγον)—Jesus declares the disciples katharoi (clean, pure) not through ritual washing but through ton logon (the word). This echoes Ephesians 5:26, where Christ cleanses the church "with the washing of water by the word."

The perfect tense ἐστε (you are) indicates an already-accomplished reality. Their cleansing came through receiving and believing Christ's teaching (His rhema, spoken word). In the vine allegory, this means genuine branches have been pruned (v.2) and purified through divine truth. Judas, who rejected the word, remained unclean (13:10-11)—not a true branch despite external proximity to the vine.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken in the upper room on Passover night, hours before Jesus's arrest. In John's narrative, Jesus had just washed the disciples' feet (ch. 13), foreshadowing their spiritual cleansing through His death. The imagery of pruning connects to viticulture in first-century Judea, where vinedressers carefully cut away dead wood and excess growth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's word continue to cleanse and sanctify believers today (John 17:17)?
  2. What is the relationship between hearing God's word and bearing spiritual fruit in your life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
ἤδη1 of 10

Now

G2235

even now

ὑμεῖς2 of 10

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

καθαροί3 of 10

clean

G2513

clean (literally or figuratively)

ἐστε4 of 10

are

G2075

ye are

διὰ5 of 10

through

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸν6 of 10
G3588

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

λόγον7 of 10

the word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ὃν8 of 10

which

G3739

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

λελάληκα9 of 10

I have spoken

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὑμῖν·10 of 10

unto 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 15:3 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 15:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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