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Bible verse
John 15:13
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
What it means
Jesus names the highest love there is: to lay down your life for those you love. He was not merely describing an ideal; He was about to live it, giving Himself on the cross for us. This reframes love as self-giving rather than self-serving, a willingness to spend ourselves for others' good. We are called His friends, loved to the very end. When we grasp how far His love went, our own love is stirred to sacrifice. The greatest love in history was poured out for you.
John 15:13 at a glance
| Reference | John 15:13 |
|---|---|
| Book | John |
| Chapter to read it in | John 15 |
| Topic | the cross |
| Passages linked to it | 5 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- John 10:11
- Ephesians 5:2
- Romans 5:6-8
- John 10:15
- 1 John 4:7-11
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find John 15:13?
It is in John, in John 15. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with John 15:13?
Readers most often set it beside John 10:11, Ephesians 5:2, Romans 5:6-8, John 10:15. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray John 15:13?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in John 15:13, before any of us arrive. We bring you John 15:13, the cross. Let your Body in that place love one another and be one. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Take one step this week.
- Read all of John 15 today, not only the one verse.
- Write John 15:13 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
