September 15, 2023

Understanding The Vine

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”  John 15:1 (NASB)

      Vineyards are an important part of Jewish life. “The typical vineyard was surrounded by a protective hedge or fence, and at harvest time the watchtower was manned to guard the crop from thieves (Job 24:18; Is. 1:8; Mk. 12:1). The vines were planted in rows within the enclosed area, and as the plants grew the tendrils were trained along supports to raise the fruit-bearing branches off the ground (Eze. 17:6). The vines were pruned and tended by vinedressers (Lev. 25:3; Is. 61:5; Joel 3:10; Jn. 15:2), and at harvest time the mature fruit was picked and taken to the winepresses (Hos. 9:2). A festive atmosphere accompanied the treading of the grapes (Is. 16:10; Jer. 25:30), and the fermenting juice was collected in new goatskin bags (Mt. 9:17) or large pottery jars. People working in the grape harvest were exempted from military service, which attests to its importance. Taxes and debts were often discharged by payments of wine, and the law provided for the poor to glean in the vineyards as in the wheat fields (Lev. 19:9–10). Nonproductive vines were used for producing charcoal (Eze. 15:4; Jn. 15:6).”[1]

      “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” This statement was given just hours before Jesus’ death. It is the last of the seven “I AM” statements in this gospel. Jesus Himself pointed out He is the source of all spiritual life. The nation of Israel is known in scripture as the vine (Hosea 10:1; Psalm 80:8; Jeremiah 2:21). It has a history of references throughout Jewish life. “The grapevine was a symbol of national life. That emblem appeared on coins minted during the Maccabean period, their regard for it resembling our regard for stars and stripes. So precious was the symbol to the Jews that a huge, gold grapevine decorated the gates of the temple.”[2] In this verse too, Jesus illustrates Himself as the “true vine.” “All the conversation stopped at this powerful pronouncement. The force of his words was, ‘You all know how Israel is pictured as a vine that is meant to produce refreshing fruit. Well, I am the fulfillment of all that symbol suggests.’” “To Christian believers, this is a wonderfully deep and mystic parable. The picture taken together is that of a vineyard with true believers organically related to Christ (the sap that runs in his veins runs in ours) and of the Father walking among the vines lovingly caring for them so they will bring forth fruit.[3]” Jesus is the true vine, not just the vine. There were other vines, but they were false. Other vines than Jesus did not produce genuine fruit. They were only counterfeits. The Father represented here, is the vinedresser. The vinedresser (or farmer) is also seen as the “Husbandman,” as in other translations. “The Father is seen as the great Proprietor of the vineyard, the Lord of the spiritual kingdom (Mark 12:1; James 5:7; 2 Tim. 2:6. cf. 1 Cor. 3:9).”[4] Christ is the vine (the trunk), we are the branches, and God the Father is the gardener. In all, God planted all that lives today.

      The background information today is important if we want to understand what Jesus is about to share. It gives us a good understanding of the truths He is about to share…

[1] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Vine, Vineyard. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 2123). Baker Book House.

[2] Hughes, R. K. (1999). John: that you may believe (pp. 350–351). Crossway Books.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 15:1). Broadman Press.