John 15:16

Amplified Bible

"You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Y'all didn't come and find me, I came and found you. I taught y'all how to make a difference in the world . . . a difference that will last. Anything y'all need will be given to you if you ask.

Legacy Standard Bible
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would abide, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Bible in Basic English
You did not take me for yourselves, but I took you for myself; and I gave you the work of going about and producing fruit which will be for ever; so that whatever request you make to the Father in my name he may give it to you.

Darby Translation
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have set you that ye should go and [that] ye should bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he may give you.

New King James Version
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Christian Standard Bible®
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

World English Bible
You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you that ye may go and bear fruit, and your fruit may remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Weymouth's New Testament
It is not you who chose me, but it is I who chose you and appointed you that you might go and be fruitful and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever petition you present to the Father in my name He may give you.

King James Version (1611)
Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you, and ordeined you, that you should goe and bring foorth fruit, and that your fruite should remaine: that whatsoeuer ye shall aske of the Father in my Name, he may giue it you.

Literal Translation
You have not chosen Me, but I chose you out and planted you, that you should go and should bear fruit, and your fruit remain, that whatever you should ask the Father in My name, He may give you.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you, and ordeyned you, that ye go, and bringe forth frute, and that youre frute contynne, that what soeuer ye axe the father in my name, he shulde geue it you.

Mace New Testament (1729)
it was not you that chose me, but I that chose you, and establish'd you, that your travels may be fruitful, and your fruit be lasting: so that whatever ye shall ask of the father for my sake, he will give it you.

THE MESSAGE
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

American Standard Version
Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Revised Standard Version
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordeyned you that ye go and bringe forthe frute and that youre frute remayne that whatsoever ye shall axe of the father in my name he shulde geve it you.

Update Bible Version
You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Young's Literal Translation
`Ye did not choose out me, but I chose out you, and did appoint you, that ye might go away, and might bear fruit, and your fruit might remain, that whatever ye may ask of the Father in my name, He may give you.

New Century Version
You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.

New English Translation
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Contemporary English Version
You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name.

Complete Jewish Bible
You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you.

English Standard Version
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you, and ordeined you, that ye goe & bring foorth fruite, and that your fruite remaine, that whatsoeuer ye shall aske of the Father in my Name, he may giue it you.

George Lamsa Translation
You did not choose me, but I chose you, and I have appointed you, that you also should go and produce fruit, and that your fruit might remain; so that whatever you ask my Father in my name, he will give it to you.

Hebrew Names Version
You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

International Standard Version
"You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,produce fruit, and your fruit is to last">[fn] so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 1:7; 6:70; 13:18; 14:13; Colossians 1:6; 1 John 4:10,19;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and placed you, that you also may go (and) yield much fruit; and your fruit shall remain, because all that you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give to you.

Murdock Translation
It is not ye that chose me, but I that have chosen you; and I have appointed you, that ye also should go and yield fruits, and that your fruits should continue; so that whatever ye may ask of my Father in my name, he may give it you.

New Living Translation
You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

New Life Bible
You have not chosen Me, I have chosen you. I have set you apart for the work of bringing in fruit. Your fruit should last. And whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.

English Revised Version
Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Berean Standard Bible
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will remain-so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

New Revised Standard
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Not, ye, chose, me, but, I, chose you, and placed you, that ye should go your way and bear, fruit, - and, your fruit, should abide: that, whatsoever ye should ask the Father in my name, he might give unto you.

Douay-Rheims Bible
You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain, in order that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you, and ordayned you, to go, and bryng foorth fruite, and that your fruite shoulde remayne, that whatsoeuer ye aske of the father in my name, he may geue it you.

Easy-to-Read Version
"You did not choose me. I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.

New American Standard Bible
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Good News Translation
You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Ye han not chosun me, but Y chees you; and Y haue put you, that ye go, and brynge forth fruyt, and youre fruyt dwelle; that what euere thing ye axen the fadir in my name, he yyue to you.

Contextual Overview

⁹"I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. ¹⁰"If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love. ¹¹"I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. ¹²"This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you. ¹³"No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. ¹⁴"You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you. ¹⁵"I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father. ¹⁶"You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.¹⁷"This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

have not: John 15:19, John 6:70, John 13:18, Luke 6:13, Acts 1:24, Acts 9:15, Acts 10:41, Acts 22:14, Romans 9:11-16, Romans 9:21, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 4:19

ordained: John 20:21-23, John 21:15-17, Isaiah 49:1-3, Jeremiah 1:5-7, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:47-49, Acts 1:8, Romans 1:5, Romans 15:15, Romans 15:16, 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 1:23, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5

bring: John 15:8, Proverbs 11:30, Isaiah 27:6, Isaiah 55:10-13, Micah 5:7, Romans 1:13, Romans 15:16-19, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:7, Colossians 1:6, James 3:18

that your: Genesis 18:18, Psalms 71:18, Psalms 78:4-6, Psalms 145:4, Zechariah 1:4-6, Acts 20:25-28, Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 11:4, 1 Peter 1:14-21, 1 Peter 3:2, 1 Peter 3:15

that whatsoever: John 15:7, John 14:13, John 14:14, John 16:23, John 16:24, Matthew 21:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:8 - it was not Exodus 28:34 - General Numbers 16:5 - even him Deuteronomy 10:8 - time the Lord 1 Samuel 12:22 - it hath 1 Kings 2:20 - Ask on 1 Kings 3:5 - Ask what Psalms 4:3 - the Lord Psalms 33:12 - people Psalms 37:4 - and Psalms 75:7 - he putteth Psalms 105:6 - his chosen Psalms 106:5 - may see Psalms 106:23 - his chosen Psalms 145:19 - fulfil Proverbs 12:12 - the root Song of Solomon 6:11 - the garden Ezekiel 16:61 - but not Matthew 7:7 - and it Matthew 13:23 - beareth Matthew 18:19 - That if Mark 3:14 - he ordained Luke 11:9 - Ask Luke 13:6 - and he came Luke 20:10 - sent John 9:31 - and doeth John 15:2 - may Acts 4:31 - spake Acts 15:7 - God Romans 6:22 - ye have Romans 16:13 - chosen 1 Corinthians 1:1 - through Galatians 5:22 - the fruit Ephesians 1:4 - that Ephesians 5:20 - in Philippians 1:11 - filled Philippians 4:17 - fruit Colossians 1:10 - fruitful Titus 3:14 - that 1 Peter 1:2 - Elect Revelation 17:14 - and they

Cross-References

Genesis 15:5
And the LORD brought Abram outside [his tent into the night] and said, "Look now toward the heavens and count the stars—if you are able to count them." Then He said to him, "So [numerous] shall your descendants be."

Genesis 15:8
But Abram said, "Lord GOD, by what [proof] will I know that I will inherit it?"

Genesis 15:9
So God said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."

Genesis 15:11
The birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

Exodus 12:40
Now the period of time the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.

1 Kings 21:26
He acted very repulsively in following idols, in accordance with everything the Amorites had done, whom the LORD expelled [from the land] before the sons of Israel.

Daniel 8:23
"At the latter period of their reign, When the transgressors have finished, A king will arise Insolent and skilled in intrigue and cunning.

1 Thessalonians 2:16
forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God's] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,.... Not but that they had made choice of him as their Lord and Master, Saviour and Redeemer; but not first, he was before hand with them; he chose them, before they chose him; so that his choice of them was entirely free, did not arise from any character, motive, or condition in them: the allusion is to a custom of the Jews, the reverse of which Christ acted; with whom it was usual for disciples to choose their own masters, and not masters their disciples: hence that advice of R. Joshuah ben Perachiah, said r to be the master of Jesus of Nazareth,

"br Kl hve s, "make", provide, or chose "thyself a master", and get thyself a companion.''

Those words in Song of Solomon 2:16; "my beloved is mine, and I am his", are thus paraphrased by the Jews t;

"he hath chosen me, and I have chosen him:''

which is not amiss, provided the latter choice is thought to be by virtue, and in consequence of the former; if not, our Lord directly opposes the words and sense. This may be understood both of election to salvation, and of choice to the office of apostleship; in both which Christ was first, or chose them before they chose him, that good part, which shall never be taken away; for as they were chosen in him, so by him, before the foundation of the world; being as early loved by him, as by his Father; and in consequence thereof, were chosen by him, for his people and peculiar treasure; he first chose and called them to be his disciples and apostles, to follow him, preach his Gospel, and become fishers of men; and clothed them with full power and authority to exercise their high office:

and ordained you; which may design either ordination to eternal life, or apostleship, before the world began; as Jeremiah was ordained to be a prophet, before he was born; or else the investiture of them with that office, and with all gifts and graces necessary for the discharge of it; for when he called and sent forth his disciples to preach the Gospel, he is said to "ordain" them, Mark 3:14; and the rather this may be meant here, because the former is designed by his choosing them; or he set them, or planted them in himself, a fruitful soil, that they might shoot up and bear much fruit, as it follows:

that ye should go and bring forth fruit; go first into Judea, and then into all the world; and brings forth the fruits of righteousness and holiness in themselves, and be the happy means of the conversion, and so of bringing in a large harvest of souls to Jesus Christ:

and that your fruit should remain; as it has done; for they not only persevered themselves in faith and holiness, in preaching the Gospel, and living according to it, but the persons whose conversion they were instruments of, continued steadfastly in their doctrine, and in the fellowship of the saints; and the Gospel which was preached by them, has remained, though not always in the same place, yet in the world ever since:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. This is added, to encourage their perseverance in the work he chose and called them to, which would be attended with many difficulties and discouragements; wherefore as they would stand in need of divine assistance, they might assure themselves of it; for be it what it would they should ask of his Father, making mention of his name and righteousness; whether for a sufficiency of gifts and grace in the discharge of their duty; or for success in it; or for the confirmation of the truths delivered by them; or for liberty and boldness to speak in vindication of themselves, when called to it before kings and governors, it should be given them.

r Ganz Tzemach David, fol. 24. 2. s Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 6. t Zohar in Exod. fol. 9. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ye have not chosen me - The word here translated “chosen” is that from which is derived the word “elect,” and means the same thing. It is frequently thus translated, Mark 13:20; Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:31; Colossians 3:12. It refers here, doubtless, to his choosing or electing them to be apostles. He says that it was not because they had chosen him to be their teacher and guide, but because he had designated them to be his apostles. See John 6:70; also Matthew 4:18-22. He thus shows them that his love for them was pure and disinterested; that it commenced when they had no affection for him; that it was not a matter of obligation on his part, and that therefore it placed them under more tender and sacred obligations to be entirely devoted to his service. The same may be said of all who are endowed with talents of any kind, or raised to any office in the church or the state. It is not that they have originated these talents, or laid God under obligation. What they have they owe to his sovereign goodness, and they are bound to devote all to his service. Equally true is this of all Christians. It was not that by nature they were more inclined than others to seek God, or that they had any native goodness to recommend them to him, but it was because he graciously inclined them by his Holy Spirit to seek him; because, in the language of the Episcopal and Methodist articles of religion, “The grace of Christ prevented them;” that is, went before them, commenced the work of their personal salvation, and thus God in sovereign mercy chose them as His own. Whatever Christians, then, possess, they owe to God, and by the most tender and sacred ties they are bound to be his followers.

I have chosen you - To be apostles. Yet all whom he now addressed were true disciples. Judas had left them; and when Jesus says he had chosen them to bear fruit, it may mean, also, that he had “chosen them to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Ordained you - Literally, I have placed you, appointed you, set you apart. It does not mean that he had done this by any formal public act of the imposition of hands, as we now use the word, but that he had designated or appointed them to this work, Luke 6:13-16; Matthew 10:2-5.

Bring forth fruit - That you should be rich in good works; faithful and successful in spreading my gospel. This was the great business to which they were set apart, and this they faithfully accomplished. It may be added that this is the great end for which Christians are chosen. It is not to be idle, or useless, or simply to seek enjoyment. It is to do good, and to spread as far as possible the rich temporal and spiritual blessings which the gospel is fitted to confer on mankind.

Your fruit should remain - This probably means,

1. That the effect of their labors would be permanent on mankind. Their efforts were not to be like those of false teachers. the result of whose labors soon vanish away Acts 5:38-39, but their gospel was to spread - was to take a deep and permanent hold on people, and was ultimately to fill the world, Matthew 16:18. The Saviour knew this, and never was a prediction more cheering for man or more certain in its fulfillment.

2. There is included, also, in this declaration the idea that their labors were to be unremitted. They were sent forth to be diligent in their work, and untiring in their efforts to spread the gospel, until the day of their death. Thus, their fruit, the continued product or growth of religion in their souls, was to remain, or to be continually produced, until God should call them from their work. The Christian, and especially the Christian minister, is devoted to the Saviour for life. He is to toil without intermission, and without being weary of his work, until God shall call him home. The Saviour never called a disciple to serve him merely for a part of his life, nor to feel himself at liberty to relax his endeavors, nor to suppose himself to be a Christian when his religion produced no fruit. He that enlists under the banners of the Son of God does it for life. He that expects or desires to grow weary and cease to serve him, has never yet put on the Christian armor, or known anything of the grace of God. See Luke 9:62.

That whatsoever ... - See John 15:7.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 15:16. Ye have not chosen me — Ye have not elected me as your Teacher: I have called you to be my disciples; witnesses and depositories of the truth. It was customary among the Jews for every person to choose his own teacher.

And ordained you — Rather, I have appointed you: the word is εθηκα, I have PUT or placed you, i.e. in the vine.

Theodorus Mopsuensis, as quoted by Wetstein, observes that εθηκα is here used for εφυτευσα; (I have planted;) "and, in saying this, our Lord still makes use of the metaphor of the vine; as if he had said: I have not only planted you, but I have given you the greatest benefits, causing your branches to extend every where through the habitable world."

The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.

To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must -

1. Be chosen of God to the work.

2. He must be placed in the true vine-united to Christ by faith.

3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labour.

4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.

5. He must labour so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.

6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labour, and blessed him in his work.

7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain - that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.

8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labours may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God - Whatsoever ye shall ASK.

9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. - Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, &c. See Quesnel.