ἄμπελος

ἄμπελος — ámpelos

ἄμπελος,, ἡ (from Homer down), a vine: Mat 26:29; Mar 14:25; Luk 22:18; Jas 3:12. In Joh 15:1; Joh 15:4 f Christ calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into his followers his own divine strength and life. ἄμπελος τῆς γῆς in Rev 14:18 (Rec.st omits τῆς ἀμπέλου.), Joh 15:19, signifies the enemies of Christ, who, ripe for destruction, are likened to clusters of grapes, to be cut off, thrown into the winepress, and trodden there.