John 14:15

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 14:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
John 14:15 — American Standard Version

Context — John 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If ye love me, etc.] Not that Christ doubted of the love of his disciples to him; but he argues from it to their observance of his precepts, seeing ye do love me; as all do who are born again, who have had any spiritual sight of him, of his glory, suitableness, and fulness; who believe in him, and have received from him; who have had his love shed abroad in their hearts, having enjoyed communion with him, and know the relation he stands in to them; these love him above all others, and all of him, and that belong to him, unfeignedly, and in the sincerity of their souls, as did the disciples; and since they professed to love, and did love him, as they ought to do, he exhorts them, saying, keep…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, &c.--This connection seems designed to teach that the proper temple for the indwelling Spirit of Jesus is a heart filled with that love to Him which lives actively for Him, and so this was the fitting preparation for the promised gift. he shall give you another Comforter--a word used only by John; in his Gospel with reference to the Holy Spirit, in his First Epistle (Jo1 2:1), with reference to Christ Himself. Its proper sense is an "advocate," "patron," "helper." In this sense it is plainly meant of Christ (Jo1 2:1), and in this sense it comprehends all the comfort as well as aid of the Spirit's work. The Spirit is here…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If ye love me - Do not show your love by grief at my departure merely; or by profession, but by obedience. Keep my commandments - This is the only proper evidence of love to Jesus, for mere profession is no proof of love; but that love for him which leads us to do all his will, to love each other, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow him through evil report and through good report, is true attachment. The evidence which we have that a child loves its parents is when that child is willing, without hesitation, gainsaying, or complaining, to do all that the parent requires him to do. So the disciples of Christ are required to show that they are attached to him supremely by…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If ye love me, keep my commandments - Immediately after faith he exhorts to love and good works. John 14:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:15 If you love me: Because Jesus loves the Father, he is obedient to what God directs him to say and do (12:49). If we love him, we will obey him too (14:21, 23; 15:10, 14; see 1 Jn 2:3-4; 5:2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Joh 14:21-24, Joh 8:42, Joh 15:10-14, Joh 21:15-17; Mat 10:37, Mat 25:34-40; Co1 16:22; Co2 5:14, Co2 5:15, Co2 8:8, Co2 8:9; Gal 5:6; Eph 3:16-18, Eph 6:24; Phi 1:20-23, Phi 3:7-11; Pe1 1:8; Jo1 2:3-5, Jo1 4:19, Jo1 4:20, Jo1 5:2, Jo1 5:3 John 14:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification