Bible Strands
John 15:11
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples immediately after commanding them to keep his word and love one another. He speaks this declaration at the close of his teaching on abiding in his love.
The words — χαρὰ (chara) = joy and ἵνα (ina) = that. The Greek uses ἵνα to frame a purpose clause, making Christ’s speech the direct cause of the joy he describes.
The thread — The motif of fulfilled joy appears in John 16:24, John 17:13, and Romans 15:13. Each passage connects complete joy to Christ’s instruction, prayer, or the God of hope.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept Christ’s joy as the foundation for their own complete joy. It ties that reality to the obedience and mutual love he just commanded.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Cross-references
- Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- John 17:13 But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.
- John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
- 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
- 1 John 1:4 We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
- John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- 2 John 1:12 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice at all times.
- Luke 15:32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.