removed succulent sprigs from the fruiting branches, dead and diseased wood, adventitious buds on the trunk of the vine, but not all nonfruiting branches. Some nonfruiting branches were kept on the vine. So to what did Jesus refer in John 15:2? A play on words is evident between αἴρει, which many writers say means “he removes,” and καθαίρει, “he prunes.” Καθαίρει may also mean “he cleanses” and so is linked to John 13:10, “you are clean [καθαιροί], but not all.”67 Since