15:2

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful.


We should not regard this as a proof that true believers may fall away. it is part of the viticultural picture, and the point could not be made without it. The emphasis here is on bearing fruit.

In a vineyard fruitfulness is not just desirable; it is imperative; that is the whole point of the vineyard; it is what the vineyard is for. Pruning is resorted to to ensure that this takes place. Left to itself a vine will produce a good deal of unproductive growth. For maximum fruitfulness extensive pruning in essential.

This is a suggestive figure for the Christian life. The fruit of Christian service is never the result of allowing the natural energies and inclinations to run riot. "Trims clean" more literally "cleans" where we might have expected "prunes," shows that we have now moved into the spiritual sphere. the interest is in what happens with people rather than with vines. The action of the father is such as to cleanse his people so that they will live fruitful lives.

The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris p. 594-595

Place of Writing

Although there is no definitive answer to where John wrote his gospel. Early church tradition points to Ephesus.

The early church father Irenaeus says "Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his resence at Ephesus in Asia." Irenaeus had personal contact with Polycarp, who knew John personally.

Others have suggested that the Gospel was written in Alexandria or somewhere in Egypt because an early manuscript has been found in Egypt. And others suggest a general region of Antioch.

The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris p. 54

Purpose of Writing

John tells us in so many words why he wrote: "these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (20:31). There seems to be no reason for ignoring this express statement. John says plainly that he is out to show Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. ... Not only does John tell us this in set terms, but close examination shows that this is, inf fact, what he has don. Again and again he brings before us evidence that Jesus is indeed the Christ. ...Moreover, John constantly lets us see the challenge posed by the message of Jesus. People divide in the presence of this message. Either they commit themselves to Christ in faith and so enter life of they refuse to commit themselves to Christ in faith and so enter life or they refuse to commit themselves and in so doing remain in darkness and a condition of lostness.

The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris p. 34

Date of writing

Conservatives and radicals alike generally hold that the Fourth Gospel is of comparatively late date. It is commonly held that it was written in the last decade of the first century, though some authors prefer a date in the early second century.

The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris p.25

A Gospel for All

Leon Morris begins his commentary with the comparison of John's gospel to a pool in which a child may wade and an elephant can swim. It is both simple and profound. It is for the veriest beginner in the faith and for the mature Christian.

The Gospel According to John, Leon Morris p. 3