John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Greater love
The phrase "Greater love" in Greek is "μείζονα ἀγάπην" (meizona agapēn). The word "agapē" is a profound term for love in the New Testament, often used to describe the selfless, sacrificial love that God has for humanity. This love is not based on emotions or feelings but is an act of will, a deliberate choice to seek the well-being of others. In the historical context of Jesus' time, love was often understood in terms of familial or reciprocal relationships, but "agapē" transcends these boundaries, embodying the highest form of love that is unconditional and self-giving.

has no one than this
This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the love being described. The Greek "οὐδεὶς ἔχει μείζονα ταύτης" (oudeis echei meizona tautēs) suggests an absolute standard. In the context of Jesus' teachings, this statement sets a benchmark for love that surpasses all other forms. Historically, the concept of ultimate sacrifice was revered in many cultures, but Jesus redefines it by linking it directly to love, not just duty or honor.

that he lay down his life
The Greek phrase "ἵνα τις τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ θῇ" (hina tis tēn psychēn autou thē) translates to "that he lay down his life." The word "psychē" refers to life or soul, indicating the totality of one's being. In the scriptural context, laying down one's life is the ultimate act of self-sacrifice and commitment. This act is not merely about physical death but encompasses the willingness to give up one's own rights, desires, and comforts for the sake of others. Historically, this was a radical departure from the prevailing cultural norms where self-preservation was paramount.

for his friends
The term "friends" in Greek is "φίλων" (philōn), derived from "philos," which denotes a deep, personal affection and bond. In the context of Jesus' ministry, this term is significant because it elevates the disciples from mere followers to intimate companions. The historical context of friendship in the ancient world often involved mutual benefit and loyalty, but Jesus redefines it as a relationship marked by sacrificial love. Scripturally, this foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross, demonstrating the depth of His love for humanity and setting an example for His followers to emulate.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples during the Last Supper, imparting final teachings before His crucifixion.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' message, representing all believers who follow Christ.

3. The Last Supper
The setting of this discourse, a significant event where Jesus shares His final meal with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion.
Teaching Points
Understanding Sacrificial Love
Jesus defines the greatest form of love as self-sacrifice. This challenges us to consider how we can embody this love in our relationships.

Imitating Christ's Example
As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His sacrificial love in our daily lives, putting others' needs before our own.

Friendship in Christ
Jesus elevates the concept of friendship by linking it to sacrificial love, encouraging us to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships grounded in selflessness.

The Cost of Discipleship
True discipleship involves a willingness to lay down our lives, whether literally or metaphorically, for the sake of others and the Gospel.

Love as a Witness
Our love for one another, demonstrated through sacrifice, serves as a powerful testimony to the world of Christ's love.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jesus' definition of love in John 15:13 challenge our modern understanding of love and friendship?

2. In what practical ways can we lay down our lives for others in our daily interactions?

3. How does the concept of sacrificial love in John 15:13 connect with the broader account of Jesus' life and mission?

4. Reflect on a time when someone demonstrated sacrificial love towards you. How did it impact your understanding of Christ's love?

5. How can we, as a community of believers, support one another in living out the sacrificial love that Jesus exemplifies?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 3:16
This verse highlights God's love for humanity, demonstrated through the giving of His Son, which parallels the sacrificial love Jesus speaks of in John 15:13.

Romans 5:8
Paul emphasizes that Christ's death for us while we were still sinners is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, echoing the theme of sacrificial love.

1 John 3:16
This verse directly connects to John 15:13 by explaining that we know love by Jesus laying down His life for us, and it calls us to lay down our lives for others.

Philippians 2:5-8
Paul describes Jesus' humility and obedience to death, even death on a cross, as the ultimate act of love and service.

Ephesians 5:2
Believers are called to walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
A Friend's LoveNew Testament AnecdotesJohn 15:13
Demonstration of Friendship, Divine and HumanSwain.John 15:13
Love's Crowning DeedC. H. Spurgeon.John 15:13
Self-Sacrificing LoveH. J. W. BuxtonJohn 15:13
The Death of Christ Our Only StayArchdeacon Manning.John 15:13
Christ's Friendship for His PeopleJ.R. Thomson John 15:12-15
Our Friendship for ChristJ.R. Thomson John 15:12-15
Brotherly LoveD. Thomas, D. D.John 15:12-17
Christians Bound to Love One AnotherJ. Brown, D. D.John 15:12-17
Love the Means of UnityA. Maclaren, D. D.John 15:12-17
The Cross the Means of Perpetuating Christian LoveJohn 15:12-17
The Great Commandment of ChristC. Bradley, M. A.John 15:12-17
The Oneness of the BranchesA. Maclaren, D. D.John 15:12-17
People
Jesus, Disciples
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Friends, Gives, Greater, Lay, Laying, Love, Someone
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 15:13

     1085   God, love of
     2066   Christ, power of
     2530   Christ, death of
     5568   suffering, causes
     5691   friends, good
     5865   gestures
     5895   intimacy
     6027   sin, remedy for
     6752   substitution
     8296   love, nature of
     8435   giving, of oneself

John 15:9-14

     8115   discipleship, nature of

John 15:12-13

     1175   God, will of
     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching
     6689   mercy, of Christ

John 15:12-17

     8241   ethics, basis of

John 15:13-15

     8122   friendship, with God

Library
The Comforter
Eversley. Sunday after Ascension Day. 1868. St John xv. 26. "When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." Some writers, especially when they are writing hymns, have fallen now-a- days into a habit of writing of the Holy Spirit of God, in a tone of which I dare not say that it is wrong or untrue; but of which I must say, that it is one-sided. And if there are two sides to a matter,
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

April 1 Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is joy.--GAL. 5:22. Joy in the Holy Ghost.--Unspeakable and full of glory. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; . . . exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.--We glory in tribulations. Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; . . . for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame.--These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be fuIl.--As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 8 Morning
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends.--JOHN 15:15. The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.--God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.--Even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 16 Evening
The deep things of God.--I COR. 2:10. 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.--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 21 Morning
Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it.--JOHN 15:2. He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. We glory in tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 13 Morning
Abide in me, and I in you.--JOHN 15:4. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 3 Morning
Be strong, and work; for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.--HAG. 2:4. 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.--I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.--Strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.--The joy of the Lord is your strength. Thus said the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets.--Strengthen
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 22 Evening
Keep yourselves in the love of God.--JUDE 21. 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. 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. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 28. "That My Joy Might Remain in You, and that Your Joy Might be Full" (John xv. 11).
"That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John xv. 11). There is a joy that springs spontaneously in the heart without external or even rational cause. It is an artesian fountain. It rejoices because it cannot help it. It is the glory of God; it is the heart of Christ, it is the joy divine of which He says, "These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." And your joy no man taketh from you. He who possesses this fountain
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 19. "He Purgeth it that it May Bring Forth More Fruit" (John xv. 2).
"He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2). Recently we passed a garden. The gardener had just finished his pruning, and the wounds of the knife and saw were just beginning to heal, while the warm April sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy. We thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down. Now, the gardener's business is to revive and nourish it into life. Its business is not to die, but to live.
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 26. "He Purgeth it that it May Bring Forth More Fruit" (John xv. 2).
"He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2). One day we passed a garden. The gardener had finished his pruning, and the wounds of the knife and saw were beginning to heal, while the warm April sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life and energy. We thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to begin next week and cut it down again. It would bleed to death. Now, the gardener's business is to revive and nourish into life. Its business is not to
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 13. "Abide in Me" (John xv. 4).
"Abide in Me" (John xv. 4). Christianity may mean nothing more than a religious system. Christian life may mean nothing more than an earnest and honest attempt to follow and imitate Christ. Christ life is more than these, and expresses our actual union with the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is undoubtedly in us as the life and source of all our experience and work. This conception of the highest Christian life is at once simpler and sublimer than any other. We do not teach in these pages, that the purpose
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 25. "I am the vine, Ye are the Branches" (John xv. 5).
"I am the vine, ye are the branches" (John xv. 5). How can I take Christ as my Sanctifier, or Healer? is a question that we are constantly asked. It is necessary first of all that we get into the posture of faith. This has to be done by a definite and voluntary act, and then maintained by a uniform habit. It is just the same as the planting of a tree. You must put it in the soil by a definite act, and then you must let it stay put and remain settled in the ground until the little roots have time
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 28. "Without Me Ye Can do Nothing" (John xv. 5).
"Without Me ye can do nothing" (John xv. 5). How much can I do for Christ? We are accustomed to say.--As much as I can. Have we ever thought we can do more than we can? This thought was lately suggested by the remarks of a Christian friend, who told how God had laid it upon her heart to do something for His cause which was beyond her power, and when she dared to obey Him, He gave her the assurance of His power and resources, and so marvelously met her faith that she was enabled to do more than she
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 13. "He that Abideth in Me and I in Him the Same Bringeth Forth Much Fruit for Apart from Me Ye Can do Nothing" (John xv. 5).
"He that abideth in Me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for apart from Me ye can do nothing" (John xv. 5). So familiar are the vine and the branches, it is not necessary to explain; only the branches and the vine are one. The vine does not say, I am the central trunk running up and you are the little branches; but I am the whole thing, and you are the whole thing. He counts us partakers of His nature. "Apart from Me ye can do nothing." The husband and the wife, and many more figures
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 20. "Herein is My Father Glorified" (John xv. 8).
"Herein is My Father glorified" (John xv. 8). The true way to glorify God is, for God to show His glory through us, to shine through us as empty vessels reflecting His fulness of grace and power. The sun is glorified when he has a chance to show his light through the crystal window, or reflect it from the spotless mirror or the glassy sea. There is nothing that glorifies God so much as for a weak and helpless man or woman to be able to triumph, through His strength, in places where the highest human
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 15. "Continue Ye in My Love" (John xv. 9).
"Continue ye in My love" (John xv. 9). Many atmospheres there are in which we may live. Some people live in an atmosphere of thought. Their faces are thoughtful, minds intellectual. They live in their ideas, their conceptions of truth, their tastes, and esthetic nature. Some people, again, live in their animal nature, in the lusts of the flesh and eye, the coarse, low atmosphere of a sensuous life, or something worse. Some, again, live in a world of duty. The predominating feature of their life is
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The True vine
'I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. 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. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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.'--JOHN xv. 14. WHAT suggested this lovely parable of the vine and the branches is equally unimportant
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The Oneness of the Branches
'This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'--JOHN xv. 12, 13. The union between Christ and His disciples has been tenderly set forth in the parable of the Vine and the branches. We now turn to the union between the disciples, which is the consequence of their common union to the Lord. The branches are parts of one whole, and necessarily bear a relation to each other. We may modify for our
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Christ's Friends
'Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 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. 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. These things I command you, that ye love
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Sheep among Wolves
'If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.'--JOHN xv. 18-20. These words strike a discord in the midst of the sweet
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The World's Hatred, as Christ Saw It
'But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth Me, hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated Me without
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Our Ally
'But when the Comforter Is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.'--JOHN xv. 26, 27. Our Lord has been speaking of a world hostile to His followers and to Him. He proceeds, in the words which immediately follow our text, to paint that hostility as aggravated even to the pitch of religious murder. But here He lets a beam of light
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

The True Branches of the True vine
'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. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.'--JOHN xv. 5-8. No wise
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

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