"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
— John 15:13 (NIV)
John 15:13 is the verse people mean when they search the reference for "greater love has no one than this." This page is the passage and a plain reading. Loving like Jesus across John 15 on this site is How to love like Jesus: John 15. God's love shown in Christ's death in Paul is Romans 5:8 and God's love Bible: Romans 5:8. The gift of the Son is John 3:16 meaning.
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The verse
John 15:13 (NIV) reads: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
The King James says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Same measure: love is ranked by costly self-giving for friends.
What the verse is saying
Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the upper-room discourse. He has just called them friends if they do what he commands. Laying down one's life is the highest love he names — and he is about to do it. Friendship here is not casual liking; it is shared life under his word. The vine-and-branches chapter around this verse is gathered under How to love like Jesus: John 15.
This page stays with the reference. The wider John 15 love theme is that study page.
How people use John 15:13
People look up the reference for memorials, military and first-responder tributes, sermons on the cross, and friendship that costs something. It pairs with Romans 5:8 when the topic is love proved by death. Related pages are What does the Bible say about love and Bible verses about love.
Questions people ask
What does John 15:13 say?
It says greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
What does lay down one's life mean?
It means giving up your life for someone else's good — ultimately what Jesus did at the cross. See How to love like Jesus: John 15.
Is this only about dying?
Dying is the extreme form. The chapter also calls disciples to remain in love and keep his commandments. Costly love includes daily self-giving.
How does this relate to Romans 5:8?
John 15:13 names love for friends. Romans 5:8 names Christ dying while we were still sinners. Together they show love that spends itself. See Romans 5:8.
Where should I read next?
For John 15 as a whole on love, read How to love like Jesus: John 15. For the cross in Paul, read Romans 5:8. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.
