What does John 15:13 mean?
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Quick answer
‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’—the highest love is self-sacrifice, shown supremely by Jesus.
What it means
Jesus defines the greatest love as giving one’s life for others—and he was about to do exactly that on the cross.
He calls his disciples ‘friends’ and points them to a love that costs everything for the good of others.
Common questions
Who is the friend Jesus lays down his life for?
His disciples—and all who follow him. Jesus models the greatest love by dying for those he calls friends.
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Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.