What are the specific commandments Jesus refers to in John 14:15?

◄ Which commandments in John 14:15? ►

Text of John 14:15

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

The Greek Term “Entolai” and Its Scope

The word rendered “commandments” is ἐντολαί (entolai), the same term John uses for the Ten Commandments (John 12:50), for Jesus’ “new commandment” (John 13:34), and for any charge given by God (1 John 5:3). Within Johannine usage the plural ordinarily embraces the entire body of imperatives Jesus delivers—moral, relational, missional, and devotional. Thus the reference is comprehensive rather than limited to a single precept.

Immediate Literary Context: The Upper-Room Discourse

John 13–17 records Jesus’ final evening with His disciples. In these chapters He explicitly articulates several commands, all of which sit behind the plural “commandments”:

1. Love one another as I have loved you (13:34).

2. Believe in God and in Christ (14:1).

3. Ask in His name (14:13–14; 15:7).

4. Abide in Him and in His word (15:4, 7).

5. Bear fruit that remains (15:16).

6. Testify about Him (15:27).

These imperatives dominate the discourse and provide the most immediate explanation of John 14:15.

The Foundational Command: Christ-like Love

Jesus singles out love for fellow disciples as “a new commandment” (13:34–35) and later equates “keep My commandments” with “remain in My love” (15:10). John’s first epistle clarifies the synthesis: “And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (1 John 3:23). Belief and love function as two sides of a single coin—internal faith producing external love.

Continuity with the Decalogue

Jesus never abrogates the moral law; He fulfills and deepens it (Matthew 5:17–20). In John 8:46 He challenges His accusers to convict Him of sin, demonstrating perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments. For His followers the Decalogue remains binding, now empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8:3–4). Therefore “My commandments” includes—but is not restricted to—the Decalogue, now interpreted through the lens of self-sacrificial love (Romans 13:8–10).

Comprehensive Catalog of Jesus’ Explicit Commands in John’s Gospel

Spiritual & Devotional

• “Believe in the Light” (12:36).

• “Abide in Me” (15:4).

• “Ask the Father in My name” (16:24).

Moral & Relational

• “Sin no more” (5:14; 8:11).

• “Love one another” (13:34).

Missional

• “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields” (4:35).

• “Follow Me” (1:43; 21:19).

• “Feed My sheep” (21:17).

• “Receive the Holy Spirit” (20:22).

Symbolic Actions (which carry the force of commands)

• “Take up your mat and walk” (5:8).

• “Remove the stone” (11:39).

Though situational, these underscore Jesus’ authority and the expectation of obedience.

Synoptic Parallels Presupposed by John

John writes knowing readers have access to earlier apostolic teaching (John 20:30–31; 21:25). Consequently “My commandments” would naturally include commands preserved in the Synoptics, such as:

• Repent (Matthew 4:17).

• Be reconciled to a brother (Matthew 5:24).

• Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ (Matthew 5:37).

• Pray, fast, give in secret (Matthew 6:1–18).

• Seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

• Do not judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:1–5).

• Make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching (Matthew 28:18–20).

Apostolic Expansion and Clarification

The apostles do not invent new standards; they apply Christ’s. Paul calls his directives “the commandments of the Lord” (1 Colossians 14:37). James identifies the royal law of love (James 2:8). Peter commands holiness grounded in Christ’s redemption (1 Peter 1:15–19). Each regards Jesus’ teaching as the definitive rule of life.

Relationship to the Holy Spirit

In John 14:16–17 Jesus immediately promises the Paraclete who empowers obedience: “He will give you another Advocate… the Spirit of truth.” Commandments are therefore inseparable from Spirit-enabled transformation (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:4).

Practical Outworking for Believers Today

Keeping His commandments means:

• Cultivating a life of faith and dependence on Christ.

• Demonstrating tangible, self-giving love within the church and beyond.

• Pursuing moral integrity reflecting the Decalogue’s standards.

• Abiding in Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit’s guidance.

• Engaging in witness, discipleship, and acts of mercy.

Failure to obey reveals a deficiency of love (John 14:24); consistent obedience evidences genuine discipleship (John 8:31).

Concise Summary List

1. Love one another as Christ loved us.

2. Believe in Christ, trusting His person and work.

3. Abide in Him and in His word.