ἄμπελος

From the study of John 15:1

Range of meaning

A grapevine, the plant itself (not the vineyard, which is ampelōn). In Jewish usage it was a well-known symbol for Israel as God's own planting.

Against the English

English 'vine' can mean any climbing plant, such as ivy or creepers. In Greek the word means a grapevine. That matters because the vine's purpose is grapes, and so wine, and so fruit, which is where verses 2–8 take the picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Hebrew Scriptures as read in Greek (the Septuagint), Israel is God's vine again and again. Psalm 80:8–16 (79:9–17 in Greek): 'You brought a vine out of Egypt… the boar from the forest ravages it.' Isaiah 5:1–7: God plants a vineyard that yields only wild grapes. Jeremiah 2:21: God planted Israel as a fruitful, genuine vine that turned wild and foreign. Ezekiel 15 (useless vine-wood fit only for burning) and 19:10–14. Hosea 10:1: 'Israel is a luxuriant vine.' In Sirach 24:17, Wisdom says 'Like a vine I put forth grace.' 2 Baruch 39:7 (late first century AD) links the vine with the Messiah's rule. Jewish coins from the Hasmonean period and the revolts against Rome carry vine leaves and grape clusters as national emblems. Above the entrance to Herod's Temple sanctuary hung a huge golden vine with grape clusters as tall as a man (Josephus, Antiquities 15.395 and Jewish War 5.210; Mishnah Middot 3:8; Tacitus, Histories 5.5). In early Christian use, Didache 9:2 gives thanks for 'the holy vine of David your servant.'

From the study of John 15:4

Range of meaning

Grapevine: the whole plant, with root, trunk and shoots. In the Greek Old Testament it is the standard word for the vine, both the real plant and the picture of Israel as God's vine.

Against the English

"Vine" is accurate. Modern readers may picture an ivy-like creeper, but a cultivated grapevine in Judea was a pruned, low trunk with shoots trained along the ground or over supports, grown only for its grapes.

Used elsewhere in the period

Israel is God's vine brought out of Egypt (Psalm 80:8–16). It is the vineyard that produced wild grapes when God looked for justice (Isaiah 5:1–7), a choice vine that turned degenerate (Jeremiah 2:21), and vine wood that is useless except as fuel (Ezekiel 15). A huge golden vine decorated the entrance of Herod's temple (Josephus, Antiquities 15.395; War 5.210; Mishnah Middot 3:8; Tacitus, Histories 5.5). Sirach 24:17 pictures divine Wisdom as a vine. The Didache (9:2), an early Christian manual, gives thanks for "the holy vine of David".

From the study of John 15:5

Range of meaning

A grapevine, meaning the whole living plant, roots, stock and shoots together. It is sometimes used loosely for a vineyard.

Against the English

English "vine" is accurate. Modern readers, though, often picture Jesus as the trunk only, with the branches as separate attachments. Ampelos is the whole plant, so the branches are part of the vine itself.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX), Israel is God's vine or vineyard: Ps 80:8–16 (LXX 79), Isa 5:1–7, Jer 2:21 ("I planted you a choice vine… how have you turned into a wild vine?"), Ezek 15; 17; 19:10–14, Hos 10:1. Almost always the image comes with disappointment: the vine failed to produce, or was burned. In Sirach 24:17 personified Wisdom says "Like a vine I put forth grace". Josephus describes a huge golden vine with grape clusters over the entrance of Herod's temple (Antiquities 15.395; War 5.210). The Didache (9:2), an early Christian manual, gives thanks for "the holy vine of David". 2 Baruch 36–39 links the Messiah's rule to a vine (late 1st century AD).