Verse 1
THE VINE AND BRANCHES ADDRESS v. 1-14
1) "I am the true vine," (eto eimi he ampelos he alethine) "I am (exist as) the true vine," in the sense of the "original" or genuine vine; As John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the true light, John 1:9, or the "original," the source of light, all light, so is He the original, true vine, or vine-life-supply. Israel was for a time His vine-life-dispenser. And Jesus was the true, genuine, or "original" bread, not the manna that Moses gave to Israel, John 6:32. Israel was, for a time, God’s beloved vineyard, His fruitbearing agency, Isaiah 5:1-7. But the life of that vine, Israel, the life-source for fruit bearing, came from the Jehovah, now the Redeemer, revealed to the world as Jesus Christ.
2) "And my Father is the husbandman." (kai ho pater mou ho georgos estin) "And my Father is (exists as) the husbandman," So 8:12. The one who planted the vineyard of Israel to be a fruitbearer of righteousness, but whose conduct had come to be so morally, ethically, and religiously wicked that she was about to be plucked up and her former mission given to another vine or vineyard. He spoke of the church which He had now called out, chosen and established, to whom He was now speaking, Matthew 15:12-14; John 15:16; John 15:27.
The term "husbandman" means a "vine-dresser." He sent forth His Son, first to Israel, John 1:11; Romans 1:16; When she, as His former vineyard, received Him not, He then plucked her up, Matthew 21:40-43; Matthew 21:45; Romans 11:15; Romans 11:20; Romans 11:25, cast her away, and planted this new vineyard at the hand of Jesus Christ His Son, to be a fruit-bearing agency for. Him; and to be His bride in this and the eternal ages, John 3:28-29; Revelation 19:5-9; Ephesians 3:21. He now charges them regarding their trust in and obedience to Him in producing good fruit of righteousness.