Log inSign up

John 15 · a question people ask

Jesus says, "Remain in me, and I in you" (15:4). What does he mean by remaining in him?

In the text

In this chapter Jesus goes on to say it in more ways than one, and his own words are the answer these notes give. "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you" (15:7). "Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love" (15:9). "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love" (15:10). And the commandment he names: "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you" (15:12). He also says it runs both ways: "Remain in me, and I in you" (15:4), and "He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit" (15:5). These notes add nothing to his words.

The verses

“Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5 · World English Bible
“If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7 · World English Bible
“Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
John 15:9-10 · World English Bible
““This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.”
John 15:12 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 15

John 15: I am the true vine

Remain comes twelve times in this chapter's Greek, and not only of them remaining in Jesus: "that my joy may remain in you" (15:11), and "that your fruit should remain" (15:16). And when Jesus said, "lay down his life for his friends" (15:13), and then "I chose you and appointed you" (15:16), lay down and appointed were the same Greek verb.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekJohn 15 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about John 15

All questions about John →

Did we miss something?

We're a small team, and we can make mistakes. If something here looks wrong or unclear, tell us and we'll check it against the text.

Tell us

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

The best way to study the Bible.

Your small group or your church can use Favor for Bible study, or you can read by yourself.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions