John 15:7
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Explanation and Commentary on John 15:7
This quote is part of Jesus’s final teaching to His apostles during what we know as the Last Supper. Scholars generally agree Jesus spoke these words towards the end of the Last Supper as the apostles were in the upper room.
Before the Last Supper, Jesus prepared His apostles for His death by telling them that He would be betrayed by Judas, crucified, and resurrected. Jesus was deeply concerned for the future of His apostles, rather than on his upcoming crucifixion. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to care for the apostles and help them remember His teachings. He wanted His apostles to stay faithful to Him after his departure. He also wanted the apostles to continue His ministry in the face of hardship.
During the Last Supper, Jesus used imagery to explain that Jesus is the one and only true vine that produces spiritual fruit. God is the “vinedresser,” or the gardener, who prunes branches on the vine to help them produce fruit and thrive in abundance.
The disciples that walked with Jesus were the productive branches. Jesus reassured His disciples that those who stay faithful to His word and obey it can expect God to answer their prayers. It is these two conditions, faithfulness to His word and obedience, that allow us to remain as branches on His vine and receive answers to our prayers. If our prayers are not answered, in James 4:3, we are told that it is because we ask with selfish motives.
Who are the unproductive branches? There are two leading views on interpreting the meaning of “unproductive” or “non-fruiting” branches. One view holds that the unproductive branches are nonbelievers who appear to be believers but do not practice a Christian life. The other view holds that unproductive branches are believers who fail to abide in His word and are then disciplined by God. What we know for sure from the Bible is that God destroys the unproductive branches so that the energy of the vine can go to the productive branches.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 15:7
#1 “If you remain in me…”
To remain in Jesus means we must be connected to Him as a branch is connected to its vine. We achieve this connection by using His word in the Bible to guide our thoughts and actions. We are connected to Jesus when we believe His word, His word finds a home in us and we obey it.
#2 “…and my words remain in you,”
To keep His words in us means that His words are our constant guide and monitor. When His word dwells within our spirit, soul, and body, it will shape our thoughts, words, and actions so that we bear fruit. This means that we will have a Christian temperament, Christian conversations, and a Christian life.
#3 “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Jesus said that whatever you ask of the Father in Jesus’s name will be given to you. God is your Father and is there for you. Jesus tells you that the more faith and obedience you have, the more power your prayers will have and the more fruitful your life will be. You are promised that you will receive peace.
If we remain in Jesus and His words remain in us, our prayers will align themselves with God’s will and God’s desires. We will ask for things that are proper for us and will glorify God. Our prayers will expand God’s kingdom and will not be selfish requests.
Bible Study on John 15:7
Expert Overview of John Ch. 13-21
Biblical Translations of John 15:7
NIV
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
NLT
“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
ESV
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
KJV
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
NKJV
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.