Lexical Summary ampelos: Vine Original Word: ἄμπελος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vine. Probably from the base of amphoteros and that of halon; a vine (as coiling about a support) -- vine. see GREEK amphoteros see GREEK halon HELPS Word-studies 288 ámpelos – a grapevine; (figuratively) Jesus Christ, "the true vine" (Jn 15:1). 288 /ámpelos ("vine") is also used symbolically of Christless Judaism and apostate Christianity (Rev 14:18,10), i.e. the (external) religious body of people which merely pretends to bear fruit but is in fact fruitless. Only Christ Himself is the true Vine, in whom the people of God are formed into the mystical body of Christ. This is the fruit of His love (redemption). Compare Jn 15:1,4,5 with 1 Cor 12:13. [288 (ámpelos) is used of a literal grapevine in Mt 26:29; Mk 14:25; Js 3:12.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition vine NASB Translation vine (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 288: ἄμπελοςἄμπελος, , ἡ (from Homer down), a vine: Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18; James 3:12. In John 15:1, 4f Christ calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into his followers his own divine strength and life. ἄμπελος τῆς γῆς in Revelation 14:18 (Rec.st omits τῆς ἀμπέλου.), John 15:19, signifies the enemies of Christ, who, ripe for destruction, are likened to clusters of grapes, to be cut off, thrown into the winepress, and trodden there. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Vine Motif The vine imagery threads through Scripture as a living parable of covenant relationship, fruitfulness, and judgment. In the Greek New Testament the word occurs nine times, consistently carrying forward rich Old Testament symbolism into Christ’s teaching, apostolic exhortation, and prophetic vision. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. John 15:1, 4-5 – Jesus calls Himself “the true vine,” believers “branches,” and the Father “vinedresser.” Old Testament Background Israel is repeatedly portrayed as the vine or vineyard (Genesis 49:11-12; Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:1-8; Hosea 10:1). The nation was planted to bear covenant fruit, yet persistent barrenness invited pruning or uprooting. This heritage forms the backdrop for Jesus’ declaration that He Himself is the true and faithful vine, succeeding where Israel failed. Christological Significance: The True Vine “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1). The claim is exclusive and messianic: Ecclesiological Application: Abiding and Fruitfulness Believers are exhorted to “remain in Me, and I will remain in you” (John 15:4). Abiding entails: Fruitfulness encompasses character (Galatians 5:22-23), witness (John 15:8), and works prepared by God (Ephesians 2:10). Sacramental Implications: The Cup of the New Covenant At the Passover table Jesus pronounced, “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). The phrase “fruit of the vine” became early Christian shorthand for the communion cup, linking the sacrificial blood of Christ with eschatological fellowship and joy. Eschatological Harvest Revelation 14:18-19 envisions an angel gathering “the great cluster of grapes from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are ripe.” The winepress motif echoes Isaiah 63:2-6 and Joel 3:13, portraying divine wrath on an unrepentant world. The imagery warns that every vine either yields righteous fruit through union with Christ or is pressed in judgment. Ethical Lessons James 3:12 deploys the vine to expose hypocrisy: just as a vine cannot produce figs, so praise and cursing cannot flow from the same mouth. The metaphor affirms the necessity of integrity between nature and speech. Historical and Cultural Insights Viticulture dominated ancient Mediterranean agriculture. Vines required pruning, trellising, and vigilant care—apt parallels for spiritual cultivation. Wine accompanied covenant meals, festival rejoicing, and priestly offerings (Numbers 15:5-10), reinforcing the covenantal resonance of the New Testament vine passages. The Vine in Early Christian Teaching Church Fathers such as Cyprian and Augustine interpreted John 15 to underscore ecclesial unity: separated branches signify schismatics lacking life. Patristic homilies on the Eucharistic cup tied the fruit of the vine to Christ’s blood and the eschatological banquet. Key Themes for Ministry • Christ-centered dependence: ministry thrives only by continual abiding. Forms and Transliterations άμπελοι αμπέλοις αμπελον άμπελον άμπελόν ἄμπελον αμπελος άμπελος ἄμπελος αμπελου αμπέλου ἀμπέλου αμπέλους αμπελω αμπέλω ἀμπέλῳ αμπέλων ampelo ampelō ampéloi ampélōi ampelon ámpelon ampelos ámpelos ampelou ampélouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:29 N-GFSGRK: γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλου ἕως τῆς NAS: fruit of the vine from now KJV: this fruit of the vine, until that INT: fruit of the vine until the Mark 14:25 N-GFS Luke 22:18 N-GFS John 15:1 N-NFS John 15:4 N-DFS John 15:5 N-NFS James 3:12 N-NFS Revelation 14:18 N-GFS Revelation 14:19 N-AFS Strong's Greek 288 |
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