Note 46 at Jn. 15:1: This parable repeats a familiar theme of growth that was in many of Jesus' teachings (see notes 1-2 at Mt. 13:31 and Mk. 4:31, pp. 140-141). Verse 2 speaks of fruit, then more fruit, and finally in verses 5 and 8 much fruit. There is no "short cut" to bearing much fruit. We must grow (1 Pet. 2:2).