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John 15:14

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 15:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
John 15:14 — American Standard Version

Context — John 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full.
12This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
15No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.
16Ye 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.
17These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
← John 15:13John 15:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye are my friends, etc.] This is an application of the foregoing passage, and more, clearly explains it. The character of “friends”, is applied to the disciples of Christ; and belongs, not only to his apostles, but to all that love him, believe in him, and obey him; to whom he has showed himself friendly, by laying down his life for them: for this clearly shows, that Christ had respect in the former words, to his own laying down his life for his people, in consequence of his great love to them; whereby he has made them friends, and who appear to be so by their cheerful obedience to him: if ye do whatsoever I command you; not that their doing of the commandments of Christ interested them in…”
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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
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you--hold yourselves in absolute subjection to Me.”
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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
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you - On this condition, not otherwise. A thunderbolt for Antinomianism! Who then dares assert that God's love does not at all depend on man's works? John 15:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:14-16 Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my: Joh 14:15, Joh 14:28; Ch2 20:7; Sol 5:1; Isa 41:8; Mat 12:50; Luk 12:4; Jam 2:23 if: Joh 2:5, Joh 13:17, Joh 14:21; Jo1 5:3 John 15:15”
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Related study paths

Read John 15 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification