John 15:12

Ver. 12. “ This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ”

Comp. John 13:34. This is the normal relation of the branches to one another, which has as its condition the normal relation of each one to the vine. So Hengstenberg finds in John 15:1-11 the resume of the first part of the summary of the law, and in John 15:12-17, that of the second.

In John 15:13-16, Jesus raises the mutual love of His own to its full height by giving as a model for it that which He has had for them. These four verses are the commentary on the word as in the words: “ As I have loved you. ” And first, John 15:13: the point to which His love has carried devotion death; then, John 15:14-15: the character of full intimacy which He has given to this relation of love; it was the confidence of the friend rather than the authority of the master; finally, John 15:16: the free initiative with which He has Himself laid the foundation of this relation. The meaning of this whole development is this: “When therefore you ask yourselves what limits are to be set to your mutual love, begin by asking yourselves, what limits, in these various points, that love which I have had for you has set for itself!” Or: “And when you would know what it is to love, look at me!” (Gess).