John 15:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

NIV: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

NASB: This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

CSB: "This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.

NLT: This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

KJV: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

NKJV: This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

In prior verses, Jesus used the analogy of a vine and branches to explain how behavior signifies a relationship with Him (John 15:1–11). In that discussion, Jesus reiterated that obedience to His teachings is an expected sign of those who truly believe (John 14:15). Among the more crucial commands given by Jesus is the requirement for believers to love one another (John 13:34). This instruction is echoed here.

It's tempting to read this edict from Jesus Christ with discouragement. Christ was sinless and perfect (Hebrews 4:15), so when He commands us to love each other the way He loved us, it's challenging. Worse, it can seem impossible: as fallible people, we don't always feel happy thoughts about others, even fellow Christians. The thought that we're obligated to feel perfect, joyful affection towards others is daunting. The prospect of martyrdom can be terrifying (John 15:13). However, that is not what Christ means in this statement.

Of course, His life and conduct are a born-again believer's goal (John 13:15). So far as we can, we want to respond to other people in a Christlike way. But Jesus is not telling believers "feel about other people the way I do." Nor is He demanding we be sinlessly, infallibly perfect. Rather, our love needs to echo the character of Christ's love. This involves two main ideas.

First, we should realize the "love" Jesus speaks of is practical, not emotional. We don't need to "feel warm thoughts" for others, but we do need to act lovingly towards them, even when they're hostile to us (Romans 12:17–21; Matthew 5:43–48). When this evening of discussion and teaching began, Jesus initiated it with an act of love: washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:3–5). Affection will sometimes grow as we serve others. But, even when it doesn't, the command to "love" remains.

Second, we are meant to echo the nature of Christ's love. This means humility (John 13:6), sacrifice (John 15:13), and service (John 13:35). Our approach to others, especially between fellow Christians (1 John 4:20–21), should be characterized by those traits. The idea of laying down one's life, stated in the next verse, means something more constant than a single act.

This passage begins with a celebrated analogy from Christ: the vine and the branches. This includes the seventh and final "I Am" statement of the gospel of John. Jesus uses this metaphor to explain how our spiritual life, as born-again believers, is drawn from His life. God's intent for our lives is to progress from barrenness to fruitfulness, to spiritual abundance. Jesus also repeats His command for believers to love each other. In this context, He goes so far as to refer to those who follow His teachings as His "friends."

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.