ἄμπελος, -ου, ἡ, [from Homer down], a vine: Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18; James 3:12. In John 15:1, 4f 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. ἄμπ. τῆςγῆς in Revelation 14:18 [Rec.st omits τῆςἀμπ.], Revelation 14:19, 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.
