As noted in the discussion of verse 1, it may be possible to render vine as “vine stalk,” but it seems better to translate it as meaning the entire plant and the branches as part of it.

In some languages it may be necessary to change the metaphor I am the vine to a simile, for example, “I am like the vine.” This change would be similar to that required in verse 1. Likewise, you are the branches may be rendered as “you are like the branches.”

Whoever remains is a participial construction in Greek (literally “the one remaining”), but it is equivalent in English to an indefinite relative clause (see 12.44). The indefinite relative clause Whoever remains in me, and I in him may be regarded as a conditional, for example, “If a person remains a part of me and I a part of him, then he will bear much fruit” or “… he will be able to accomplish much.”

Will bear is in the present tense in Greek (most translations have “bear”), but the Greek present tense can be used to indicate the future, especially when the certainty of the action is to be emphasized. Moreover, if these words are viewed from the time perspective of Jesus’ day, to translate as a future tense seems more natural.

The phrase without me is emphatic in the Greek sentence structure. Without me may be rendered in some languages “only with my help,” for example, “you cannot do anything except with my help” or “you can do something only with my help” or “… only with me helping you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .