Meaning, commentary and cross references
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
NIV · New International Version
“If you love me, keep my commands.
WEB · World English Bible
If you love me, keep my commandments.
What does John 14:15 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on John 14:15
If ye love me,.... 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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on John 14:15–17
He premises to this a memento of duty (Joh 14:15): If you love me, keep my commandments. Keeping the commandments of Christ is here put for the practice of godliness in general, and for the faithful and diligent discharge of their office as apostles in particular. Now observe, 1. When Christ is comforting them, he bids them keep his commandments; for we must not expect comfort but in the way of duty.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on John 14:15–18
15. If you love me. The love with which the disciples loved Christ was true and sincere, and yet there was some superstition mixed with it, as is frequently the case with ourselves; for it was very foolish in them to wish to keep him in the world. To correct this fault, he bids them direct their love to another end; and that is, to employ themselves in keeping the commandments which he had given them.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: John 14:12–18 (WEB)
12Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. 13Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. 15If you love me, keep my commandments. 16I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: 17the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
Cross references
- 1 John 2:3–5
This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
- 1 John 5:2–3
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments.
- John 14:21–24
One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
- 2 John 1:6
This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
- John 15:10–14
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
- 1 John 4:19–20
We love him, because he first loved us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14–15
For the love of Christ compels us; because we judge thus: that one died for all, therefore all died.
- 1 Peter 1:8
whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,