If you love MeThis phrase emphasizes the relational aspect of faith in Jesus. Love for Christ is not merely an emotional feeling but a commitment to Him as Lord. In the context of the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. The love He speaks of is agape love, a selfless, sacrificial love that mirrors the love God has for humanity. This love is foundational to the Christian faith and is echoed in the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (
Matthew 22:37).
you will keep
The concept of keeping commandments is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where obedience to God's law was a sign of faithfulness. In the New Testament, this obedience is transformed through the lens of grace. Keeping Jesus' commandments is not about legalistic adherence but about living out the principles of His teachings. This reflects the new covenant, where the law is written on believers' hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). The Greek word for "keep" (tereo) implies guarding or preserving, indicating a careful and intentional observance.
My commandments
Jesus' commandments encompass His teachings and the moral imperatives He laid out during His ministry. This includes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He expounds on the spirit of the law, and the new commandment to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). The commandments of Jesus are not burdensome (1John 5:3) but are meant to lead to a life of freedom and fulfillment in Him. They are rooted in love and are a reflection of His character, calling believers to live in a way that honors God and serves others.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples during the Last Supper, providing them with final teachings and comfort before His crucifixion.
2.
The DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' words, representing all believers who follow Christ and seek to live according to His teachings.
3.
The Last SupperThe setting of this discourse, where Jesus shares His final meal with His disciples and imparts crucial teachings about love, obedience, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching Points
Love as the Foundation of ObedienceTrue love for Christ is demonstrated through a willing and joyful obedience to His commandments. This love is not merely emotional but is expressed through action.
The Role of the Holy SpiritJesus promises the Holy Spirit to help believers keep His commandments. The Spirit empowers and guides us in living a life that reflects our love for Christ.
Commandments as a Reflection of RelationshipObedience to Jesus' commandments is not about legalism but about maintaining a close relationship with Him. Our actions reflect our commitment and love for Him.
The Connection Between Love and LawJesus' commandments are rooted in love, and by keeping them, we fulfill the law of love. This aligns with the greatest commandments to love God and love our neighbor.
Practical Obedience in Daily LifeKeeping Jesus' commandments involves practical steps in our daily lives, such as showing kindness, forgiving others, and living with integrity.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 14:15?
2.How can we demonstrate love for Jesus according to John 14:15's command?
3.What does "keep My commandments" imply about our daily Christian walk?
4.How does John 14:15 connect with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20?
5.In what ways can we prioritize obedience to Jesus in our lives?
6.How does loving Jesus influence our interactions with others daily?
7.How does John 14:15 define the relationship between love and obedience to Jesus' commandments?
8.What are the specific commandments Jesus refers to in John 14:15?
9.How does John 14:15 challenge the concept of faith without works?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 14?
11.How should we live according to God's commandments?
12.What is the concept of situation ethics?
13.Do you love me enough to keep my commandments?
14.Do you love me enough to keep my commandments?What Does John 14:15 Mean
IfThe verse opens with a condition. Jesus is not making a suggestion but drawing a clear line between genuine affection and visible action.
• A conditional “if” calls for honest self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith”).
• The Lord regularly frames discipleship in conditional terms—Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”
• Because Scripture is accurate and literal, we treat this “if” as a real test, not mere rhetoric.
you love MeLove for Christ is the heart of Christian life, not just emotion but allegiance.
•John 14:21-23 repeats the idea: “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father… and We will make Our home with him.”
• Love flows from new birth (1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us”) and is commanded as supreme (Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart”).
• This love is personal—directed to “Me,” the living Savior, not only to ideals or traditions.
you will keepThe future tense shows an inevitable outcome—love produces obedience.
•1 John 5:3, “This is the love of God: to keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
• Obedience does not secure salvation; it proves its reality (James 2:17-18).
• “Keep” means continual guarding and practicing (John 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love”).
My commandmentsJesus claims full authority; His words carry the same weight as the Father’s (John 12:49-50).
• Includes everything He taught—moral standards (Matthew 5-7), the new commandment of love (John 13:34), and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”).
• Not limited to a short list; His commandments summarize Scripture’s moral will (Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets”).
• Keeping them demonstrates allegiance to His lordship (Romans 1:5, “the obedience of faith”).
summaryJohn 14:15 binds love and obedience together. Genuine affection for Christ inevitably expresses itself in gladly guarding and practicing His instructions. The conditional “if” invites soul-searching; the reference to “My commandments” declares His supreme authority. Love is the motive, obedience the evidence, and both spring from a heart transformed by grace.
(15)
If ye love me, keep my commandments.--Comp. Notes on
John 14:17;
John 13:34;
John 15:10. The connection here is through the condition "in My name," which includes willing obedience to His commands. The word "My" is emphatic--"The commandments which ye have received from Me." Those of this last discourse are perhaps prominent in the thought.
Verse 15. -
If ye love me, keepmy commandments. This great saying is enlarged on in the subsequent section - the relation of love to obedience, obedience producing love, and love suggesting obedience and supplying it with motive.
Τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς ἐμάς, "the commandments which are peculiarly mine" (see Westcott on
John 15:9), "as either adopted and reuttered by
me, or as originating in my new relation to you." "Guard them as a sacred deposit, obey them as the only reasonable response you can make to authoritative command." It is somewhat startling to find the great promise that follows conditioned by loving obedience, seeing that love and obedience in any sinful man, love to Christ itself, are elsewhere made the work of the Holy Spirit. But we here come across that which often perplexes the student, viz. the contrast between the general idea of the constant and continuous work of grace in human hearts, and the special manifestation in personal glory and Divine activity of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
IfἘὰν(Ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.you loveἀγαπᾶτέ(agapate)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 25:To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.Me,με(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.you will keepτηρήσετε(tērēsete)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5083:From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.Myἐμὰς(emas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1699:My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.commandments.ἐντολὰς(entolas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1785:An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.
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NT Gospels: John 14:15 If you love me keep my commandments (Jhn Jo Jn)