John 15:1

Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή, “I am the true vine.” ἡ ἀληθινή suggests a contrast to other vines to which this title could not be applied: but not to a vine trailing across the window of the room where they were, nor to the golden vine on the Temple gate, nor to the vines on the slopes of Olivet; but to Israel, the stock which God had planted to bring forth fruit to Him, see Psalms 80; Isaiah 5; Jeremiah 2:21. ἐγὼ δὲ ἐφύτευσά σε ἄμπελον καρποφόρον πᾶσαν ἀληθινήν. The vine was a recognised symbol also of the Messiah, see Delitzsch in Expositor, third series, iii., p. 68, and in his Iris, pp. 180 190, E. Tr. On the Maccabean coinage Israel was represented by a vine. It was the present situation which here suggested the figure. As Jesus rose to depart the disciples crowd round Him with anxiety on every face. Their helplessness and trouble appeal to Him, and He encourages them by reminding them that, although left to do His work in the world, they would still be united to Him as truly as the branches to the vine. He and His together are the true Vine of God. καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ γεωργός ἐστι, “and my Father is the vine-dresser”. What is now happening is the Father's doing, and, therefore, tends to the well-being and fruitfulness of the vine. [“Pater qui cum diligit me, certe servabit totum fruticem.” Melanchthon.]