The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that John composed this Gospel.

The precise location is not specified, but John 18:1 states that afterwards, "Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley".

Because the previous chapter ends with the words "Come now, let us go",[6] Plummer, in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, suggests that Jesus and his disciples have "rise[n] from table and prepare[d] to depart, but that the contents of the next three chapters (15-17) are spoken before they leave the room".

Although ostensibly addressing his disciples, most scholars[citation needed] conclude the chapter was written with events concerning the later church in mind.

The chapter proceeds by comparing the close relationship of Jesus and his disciples ('abiding', John 15:9–10) to that of himself and his Father.

[12] The chapter concludes by warning disciples to expect persecution and promises the gift of the parakletos (Paraclete or Holy Spirit God).

Referring to the allegory of trees which have been planted, the reformation theologian Sebastian Castellio suggests destinavi, "I have marked out, or assigned you your place", as an alternative reading.

This verse has been particularly influential in debates concerning the nature of the Trinity and in the filioque disputes between Eastern and Western Christianity.