The Gospel is traditionally associated with John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, whose testimony presents Jesus’ signs, words, death, resurrection, and teaching so readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
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John 17
The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love
Jesus, having completed the Father’s work, prays that the Father would glorify Him through the cross, preserve and sanctify His disciples in the truth, unite all believers in divine love, and bring them to behold His glory forever.
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Chapter Summary
Jesus, having completed the Father’s work, prays that the Father would glorify Him through the cross, preserve and sanctify His disciples in the truth, unite all believers in divine love, and bring them to behold His glory forever.
Overview
John 17 argues that Jesus’ passion is the hour of glory, completion, intercession, sanctification, mission, unity, and final fellowship. Jesus does not enter the cross as a victim of circumstance but as the Son who has received authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him. Eternal life is relational knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Jesus has completed the work given to Him and now asks for the glory He had with the Father before the world existed. His disciples are the Father’s gift to Him, and He has revealed the Father’s name and given them the Father’s words. They remain in the world while Jesus returns to the Father, so He prays for their preservation, unity, joy, protection from the evil one, and sanctification in the truth.
Their mission flows from His mission: as the Father sent the Son, the Son sends them. Jesus’ self-sanctification for the cross secures their true sanctification. His prayer then expands to future believers who will believe through the apostolic message. Their unity is grounded in the unity of Father and Son and serves the world’s recognition that the Father sent Jesus.
The final goal is that those given to Jesus will be with Him, behold His glory, and share in the divine love with which the Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world.
Context
John writes to believers and inquirers who must understand that Jesus’ death is not tragic interruption but the climactic completion of His mission from the Father, and that the people of Jesus are preserved, sanctified, united, and sent by divine grace.
John 17 occurs after Jesus’ Farewell Discourse and before the arrest narrative. Jesus has just told the disciples that they will have trouble in the world but peace in Him because He has overcome the world. He now turns from teaching the disciples to praying to the Father in their hearing.
Jesus, having completed the Father’s work, prays that the Father would glorify Him through the cross, preserve and sanctify His disciples in the truth, unite all believers in divine love, and bring them to behold His glory forever.
The Gospel is traditionally associated with John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, whose testimony presents Jesus’ signs, words, death, resurrection, and teaching so readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
John writes to believers and inquirers who must understand that Jesus’ death is not tragic interruption but the climactic completion of His mission from the Father, and that the people of Jesus are preserved, sanctified, united, and sent by divine grace.
John 17 occurs after Jesus’ Farewell Discourse and before the arrest narrative. Jesus has just told the disciples that they will have trouble in the world but peace in Him because He has overcome the world. He now turns from teaching the disciples to praying to the Father in their hearing.
Social Pressure
- Jesus is hours from betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. The disciples are weak, confused, and about to scatter. They remain in a world that hates Jesus and will hate them. Jesus prays for their preservation, sanctification, unity, mission, and final fellowship with Him.
The chapter has often been called Jesus’ high priestly prayer because Jesus intercedes for His people before His sacrificial death. Its themes include consecration, divine name, truth, holiness, mission, and unity. The language of being given by the Father, kept in the Father’s name, sanctified in truth, and sent into the world reflects covenant, priestly, and missionary dimensions.
John 17 stands at the threshold of the passion. Jesus’ prayer interprets the cross as the hour of glorification, the completion of the Father’s work, the means of sanctifying His people, and the foundation for their mission and unity. The prayer reaches from pre-creation glory to future glory, from the immediate disciples to later believers, and from Jesus’ earthly mission to the church’s witness in the world.
Chapter Movement
Jesus prays first for His own glorification in order to glorify the Father, then for the preservation and sanctification of the disciples given to Him, and finally for all future believers to be united, glorified, loved, and brought to behold His glory.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
John 17 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus’ death is the hour of glory and the completion of the Father’s saving work. The Son has authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to those the Father has given Him. Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Jesus reveals the Father’s name, gives the Father’s words, protects His own, sanctifies Himself for their sake, sends them into the world, and prays for all who will believe through the apostolic message.
The gospel creates a people who are kept from the evil one, sanctified by the truth, united in divine love, sent into the world, and destined to be with Christ and behold His glory.
Structural Flow
Jesus prays that the Father would glorify the Son so that the Son may glorify the Father, grounding eternal life in knowing Father and Son and declaring the completion of His work.
Jesus identifies the disciples as those given by the Father, receivers of the Father’s word, believers in Jesus’ mission, and those needing preservation in the Father’s name.
Jesus asks for joy, protection from the evil one, and sanctification in the truth as the disciples are sent into the world.
Jesus prays for those who will believe through apostolic testimony, asking for unity that reflects Father-Son communion and bears witness to the world.
Jesus desires His people to be with Him and see His glory, and He commits to making the Father known so divine love and Christ’s indwelling presence may be in them.
Chapter Outline
- 17:1-5: Jesus prays for the Father to glorify the Son, defines eternal life as knowing the Father and the sent Son, and speaks of completing the Father’s work.
- 17:6-8: Jesus describes the disciples as those given by the Father, to whom He revealed the Father’s name and gave the Father’s words.
- 17:9-10: Jesus prays specifically for those given to Him, who belong to Father and Son, and in whom Jesus is glorified.
- 17:11-12: Jesus asks the Holy Father to protect the disciples by His name so they may be one, and He notes that none has been lost except the son of destruction in fulfillment of Scripture.
- 17:13-16: Jesus prays that His joy would be fulfilled in the disciples and that they would be protected from the evil one while remaining in the world that hates them.
- 17:17-19: Jesus prays for the disciples to be sanctified by the truth of God’s word and sent into the world as Jesus was sent.
- 17:20-21: Jesus extends His prayer to all who will believe through the disciples’ message, praying for their unity in Father and Son.
- 17:22-23: Jesus gives glory to His people so they may be brought to complete unity, displaying to the world that the Father sent the Son and loved them.
- 17:24: Jesus desires that those given to Him be with Him where He is and behold His pre-creational glory from the Father’s love.
- 17:25-26: Jesus contrasts the world’s ignorance with His knowledge of the Father and commits to making the Father known so the Father’s love and Jesus’ presence may be in believers.
Theological Argument
John 17 argues that Jesus’ passion is the hour of glory, completion, intercession, sanctification, mission, unity, and final fellowship. Jesus does not enter the cross as a victim of circumstance but as the Son who has received authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him. Eternal life is relational knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Jesus has completed the work given to Him and now asks for the glory He had with the Father before the world existed. His disciples are the Father’s gift to Him, and He has revealed the Father’s name and given them the Father’s words. They remain in the world while Jesus returns to the Father, so He prays for their preservation, unity, joy, protection from the evil one, and sanctification in the truth.
Their mission flows from His mission: as the Father sent the Son, the Son sends them. Jesus’ self-sanctification for the cross secures their true sanctification. His prayer then expands to future believers who will believe through the apostolic message. Their unity is grounded in the unity of Father and Son and serves the world’s recognition that the Father sent Jesus.
The final goal is that those given to Jesus will be with Him, behold His glory, and share in the divine love with which the Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world.
From the Son’s glory to eternal life, from completed work to pre-creation glory, from the given disciples to preservation in the Father’s name, from world hatred to protection and sanctification, from apostolic mission to future believers, from unity to world witness, and from present intercession to final glory with Christ.
- 1.Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven because the moment has come for direct address to the Father before the passion.
- 2.The hour has come, meaning the long-anticipated hour of death, glorification, and return to the Father is now present.
- 3.Jesus asks the Father to glorify the Son so the Son may glorify the Father, making the cross a mutual revelation of divine glory.
- 4.The Father has given the Son authority over all flesh, grounding Jesus’ power to give eternal life.
- 5.Eternal life is given to those whom the Father has given the Son, revealing salvation as rooted in divine gift and Christ’s authority.
- 6.Eternal life is not merely endless duration but knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent.
- 7.Jesus has glorified the Father on earth by finishing the work the Father gave him to do.
- 8.Jesus asks for the glory he had with the Father before the world existed, revealing his preexistent divine glory.
- 9.Jesus has revealed the Father’s name to the people given to him out of the world.
- 10.The disciples belonged to the Father before being given to the Son, showing Father-Son unity in redemption.
- 11.The disciples’ faith is evidenced by receiving Jesus’ words as the Father’s words and believing that the Father sent him.
- 12.Jesus prays particularly for his own in this intercessory moment, not for the world in the same way.
- 13.All that belongs to Jesus belongs to the Father, and all that belongs to the Father belongs to Jesus, revealing shared divine possession.
- 14.Jesus is glorified in his disciples, because their faith and future witness display his work.
- 15.Jesus is coming to the Father while the disciples remain in the world, creating the need for divine preservation.
- 16.Jesus prays to the Holy Father for protection in the Father’s name so that the disciples may be one as Father and Son are one.
- 17.Jesus has guarded the disciples during his earthly ministry, and none has been lost except the son of destruction in fulfillment of Scripture.
- 18.Jesus speaks while still in the world so that his joy may be fulfilled in the disciples.
- 19.The world hates the disciples because Jesus has given them the Father’s word and they no longer belong to the world.
- 20.Jesus does not ask that the disciples be removed from the world but protected from the evil one.
- 21.The disciples are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world.
- 22.Jesus prays that the Father would sanctify them by the truth, and defines the Father’s word as truth.
- 23.The disciples are sent into the world as Jesus was sent by the Father, making their mission derivative of his mission.
- 24.Jesus sanctifies himself for their sake, setting himself apart for the cross so they may be truly sanctified.
- 25.Jesus’ prayer extends beyond the immediate disciples to all future believers through their message.
- 26.The church’s faith is mediated through apostolic witness, not private invention.
- 27.Jesus prays that all believers may be one, reflecting the unity of Father and Son.
- 28.Believers’ unity is grounded in participation in Father and Son, not merely organizational coordination.
- 29.The unity of believers serves the world’s recognition that the Father sent Jesus.
- 30.Jesus gives believers the glory the Father gave him so that they may be one as Father and Son are one.
- 31.Complete unity is Christ-in-believers and Father-in-Son, a unity grounded in divine indwelling and love.
- 32.The world’s recognition includes seeing that the Father sent the Son and loved believers as he loved the Son.
- 33.Jesus desires those given to him to be with him where he is, revealing the final goal of salvation as presence with Christ.
- 34.Jesus desires his people to see his glory, the glory given because the Father loved him before the creation of the world.
- 35.The world does not know the righteous Father, but Jesus knows him and the disciples know that the Father sent him.
- 36.Jesus has made the Father known and will continue to make him known.
- 37.The purpose of this continuing revelation is that the Father’s love for the Son may be in believers and Jesus himself may be in them.
Theological Focus
- The hour of Jesus
- Glory of the Father and Son
- Authority over all flesh
- Eternal life
- Knowing God and Jesus Christ
- Jesus as sent by the Father
- Completion of Jesus’ work
- Preexistent glory of Christ
- The Father’s name revealed
- The Father’s gift of people to the Son
- Receiving the Father’s words through Jesus
- Jesus’ intercession for His own
- Shared possession of Father and Son
- Jesus glorified in His disciples
- Preservation in the Father’s name
- Unity modeled on Father-Son unity
- Judas as son of destruction and Scripture fulfilled
- Jesus’ joy fulfilled in disciples
- The world’s hatred
- Not of the world
- Protection from the evil one
- Sanctification by truth
- God’s word as truth
- Mission into the world
- Jesus sanctifying Himself
- Apostolic witness and future believers
- Unity of all believers
- World witness
- Shared glory
- Complete unity
- The Father’s love for believers
- Beholding Christ’s glory
- Love before creation
- The righteous Father
- Jesus making the Father known
- Christ indwelling His people
- Glorification of the Son
- Authority of Christ
- Eternal Life
- Mission of the Son
- Preexistence of Christ
- Revelation of the Father
- Divine Gift of the People to the Son
- Reception of the Word
- Intercession of Christ
- Perseverance and Preservation
- Unity of Believers
- World Hatred
- Protection from the Evil One
- Sanctification by Truth
- Mission of the Church
- Christ’s Self-Sanctification
- Apostolic Foundation
- Believers’ Future Glory
- Eternal Love of Father and Son
- Christ in Believers
Covenant Significance
John 17 reveals the covenant people of God as those given by the Father to the Son, kept in the Father’s name, sanctified by the Father’s word, sent into the world by the Son, and brought into unity and love grounded in Father-Son communion. Jesus fulfills priestly intercession, covenant mediation, and mission. The new covenant community is not formed by ethnicity, institutional identity, or human strength, but by divine gift, reception of the Son’s word, sanctification in truth, and participation in the love of Father and Son.
Old Testament Connections
- Jesus acts as the interceding Son on behalf of those given to Him by the Father.
- The Father’s name is revealed by the Son and becomes the sphere of preservation for the disciples.
- Eternal life is covenantal knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
- Jesus completes the work given by the Father, fulfilling the obedient-servant pattern.
- The disciples receive the Father’s words through Jesus, placing revelation at the center of covenant identity.
- The disciples remain in the world but are no longer of the world, marking a distinct holy people.
- Sanctification occurs through the truth of God’s word.
- The sending of disciples into the world flows from the sending of the Son.
- Jesus sanctifies Himself for their sake, connecting His self-consecration to their true sanctification.
- Future believers come through apostolic testimony, making the apostolic word foundational for the church.
- The unity of believers reflects the unity of Father and Son and serves mission to the world.
- The final covenant hope is being with Christ and beholding His glory.
- Exodus 28:29-30 - priestly representation before the Lord
- Leviticus 16:1-34 - priestly mediation and holy access
- Numbers 6:24-27 - the Lord’s name placed upon His people for blessing
- Deuteronomy 7:6-8 - God’s chosen people belonging to Him
- Psalm 2:7-8 - the Son receiving the nations
- Psalm 22:22-31 - the righteous sufferer declaring God’s name to His brothers and the nations
- Psalm 110:1-4 - priest-king exalted at God’s right hand
- Isaiah 49:1-6 - the servant sent and made light to the nations
- Isaiah 52:13-15 - the servant exalted and sprinkling many nations
- Isaiah 53:10-12 - the servant accomplishing the Lord’s will and interceding for transgressors
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 - new covenant knowledge of God
- Ezekiel 36:25-27 - cleansing, Spirit, and obedient people
- Zechariah 3:1-10 - priestly cleansing and removal of guilt
- Daniel 7:13-14 - the Son of Man receiving authority over all peoples
Canonical Connections
Jesus intercedes for His people before offering Himself, fulfilling and surpassing priestly mediation.
Jesus’ preexistent glory and cross-shaped glorification connect divine identity and redemptive mission.
Eternal life is relational knowledge of the Father through the sent Son.
Jesus reveals the Father’s name and asks for His people to be kept in that name.
Jesus grounds sanctification in the truth of God’s word.
Jesus sends His disciples into the world as the Father sent Him.
The unity of believers is grounded in Father-Son communion and serves witness to the world.
The final hope of believers is being with Christ and seeing His glory.
The Father’s love for the Son before creation becomes the ground of believers’ participation in divine love.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
John 17 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus’ death is the hour of glory and the completion of the Father’s saving work. The Son has authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to those the Father has given Him. Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Jesus reveals the Father’s name, gives the Father’s words, protects His own, sanctifies Himself for their sake, sends them into the world, and prays for all who will believe through the apostolic message.
The gospel creates a people who are kept from the evil one, sanctified by the truth, united in divine love, sent into the world, and destined to be with Christ and behold His glory.
Gospel Guardrails
- The cross is the hour of the Son’s glorification.
- The Son glorifies the Father through completing the Father’s work.
- The Father has given the Son authority over all flesh.
- The Son gives eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him.
- Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
- Jesus shared glory with the Father before the world began.
- Jesus reveals the Father’s name to those given to Him.
- The disciples receive the Father’s words through Jesus.
- Jesus intercedes specifically for His own.
- The disciples are kept in the Father’s name.
- Jesus’ people need protection from the evil one while remaining in the world.
- The Father’s word is truth.
- Jesus’ people are sanctified by the truth.
- The Son sends His disciples as the Father sent Him.
- Jesus sanctifies Himself so that His people may be truly sanctified.
- Future believers come through the apostolic message.
- Jesus prays for unity grounded in Father-Son communion.
- Believer unity bears witness that the Father sent the Son.
- The Father loves believers even as He loved the Son.
- Jesus desires His people to be with Him and behold His glory.
- Jesus continues to make the Father known so divine love and Christ’s presence may be in believers.
- Do not preach Jesus’ glory apart from the cross and completed mission.
- Do not define eternal life apart from knowing the Father and the sent Son.
- Do not treat salvation as human self-originated movement · Jesus speaks of those given by the Father to the Son.
- Do not separate Jesus’ words from the Father’s words.
- Do not confuse preservation with removal from the world · Jesus prays for protection, not escape.
- Do not pursue unity apart from truth, sanctification, and apostolic witness.
- Do not define mission apart from sanctification.
- Do not define sanctification apart from God’s word as truth.
- Do not detach future believers from the apostolic message.
- Do not make Christian hope vague · the goal is being with Christ and beholding His glory.
- Do not separate the Father’s love from Christ’s indwelling presence.
Primary Emphasis
John 17 reveals Jesus as the preexistent Son who shared glory with the Father before the world existed, the sent Son who completed the Father’s work, the giver of eternal life, the revealer of the Father’s name, the mediator of the Father’s words, the intercessor for His own, the protector of the disciples, the sanctified one who consecrates Himself for their sanctification, the sender of His people into the world, the source of their unity and glory, and the one whose final desire is that His people be with Him and behold His glory. The chapter is one of the clearest windows into the Father-Son relationship, the divine mission, and the goal of salvation.
Chapter Contribution
John 17 argues that Jesus’ passion is the hour of glory, completion, intercession, sanctification, mission, unity, and final fellowship. Jesus does not enter the cross as a victim of circumstance but as the Son who has received authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him. Eternal life is relational knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Jesus has completed the work given to Him and now asks for the glory He had with the Father before the world existed. His disciples are the Father’s gift to Him, and He has revealed the Father’s name and given them the Father’s words. They remain in the world while Jesus returns to the Father, so He prays for their preservation, unity, joy, protection from the evil one, and sanctification in the truth.
Their mission flows from His mission: as the Father sent the Son, the Son sends them. Jesus’ self-sanctification for the cross secures their true sanctification. His prayer then expands to future believers who will believe through the apostolic message. Their unity is grounded in the unity of Father and Son and serves the world’s recognition that the Father sent Jesus.
The final goal is that those given to Jesus will be with Him, behold His glory, and share in the divine love with which the Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world.
Doctrines in This Chapter
Jesus prays for those given to Him.
Christ fulfills the work given by the Father.
Salvation is knowing the Father through the Son.
Believers will share in Christ’s glory.
Believers are guarded by divine power.
The Son shared glory with the Father before creation.
Truth consecrates believers for service.
Eternal love within the Godhead grounds salvation.
Believers are united in Christ.
Doctrinal Weight
Jesus prays that the Father would glorify the Son so the Son may glorify the Father.
The Father has given the Son authority over all flesh.
Jesus gives eternal life to those the Father has given Him, and eternal life is knowing the Father and the sent Son.
Jesus was sent by the Father and has completed the work given to Him.
Jesus had glory with the Father before the world began.
Jesus reveals the Father’s name and makes the Father known.
The disciples are those whom the Father gave to the Son out of the world.
The disciples receive Jesus’ words as the words given by the Father.
Jesus prays for His own before the Father.
Jesus prays that the Father would protect His disciples by His name.
Jesus prays that His people may be one as Father and Son are one.
The world hates the disciples because they are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world.
Jesus prays not for removal from the world but protection from the evil one.
Jesus prays that the disciples would be sanctified by the truth of God’s word.
As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends His disciples into the world.
Jesus sanctifies Himself for the sake of His disciples so they may be truly sanctified.
Future believers come to faith through the message of the apostles.
Jesus desires His people to be with Him and behold His glory.
The Father loved the Son before the creation of the world.
Jesus prays that He Himself may be in believers.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- John 17 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus’ death is the hour of glory and the completion of the Father’s saving work. The Son has authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to those the Father has given Him. Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Jesus reveals the Father’s name, gives the Father’s words, protects His own, sanctifies Himself for their sake, sends them into the world, and prays for all who will believe through the apostolic message. The gospel creates a people who are kept from the evil one, sanctified by the truth, united in divine love, sent into the world, and destined to be with Christ and behold His glory.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense lift up the eyes
Definition Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven as he begins his prayer.
References John 17:1
Lexicon lift up the eyes
Why it matters The phrase introduces Jesus’ direct communion with the Father before the passion.
Sense hour, appointed time
Definition Jesus says the hour has come.
References John 17:1
Lexicon hour, appointed time
Why it matters The term marks the arrival of the appointed time of death, glorification, and return to the Father.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense glorify, honor, reveal glory
Definition Jesus asks the Father to glorify the Son so the Son may glorify the Father.
References John 17:1, 17:4-5, 17:10, 17:22
Lexicon glorify, honor, reveal glory
Why it matters The term interprets the cross and return to the Father as the revelation of divine glory.
Sense Son
Definition Jesus prays as the Son to the Father.
References John 17:1
Lexicon Son
Why it matters The term frames the chapter in Father-Son relationship, mission, glory, and love.
Sense Father
Definition Jesus addresses God as Father, Holy Father, and Righteous Father.
References John 17:1, 17:5, 17:11, 17:21, 17:24-25
Lexicon Father
Why it matters The chapter reveals Jesus’ relation to the Father and believers’ relation to the Father through the Son.
Sense authority, right, power
Definition The Father has given Jesus authority over all flesh.
References John 17:2
Lexicon authority, right, power
Why it matters The term grounds Jesus’ authority to give eternal life.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense all flesh, all humanity
Definition Jesus has authority over all flesh.
References John 17:2
Lexicon all flesh, all humanity
Why it matters The phrase reveals the universal scope of Christ’s authority.
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense give, grant, entrust
Definition The Father gives authority, people, words, work, name, and glory; Jesus gives eternal life, words, and glory.
References John 17:2, 17:4, 17:6-9, 17:11-12, 17:14, 17:22, 17:24
Lexicon give, grant, entrust
Why it matters The repeated verb structures the chapter around divine gift and redemptive entrustment.
Sense eternal life
Definition Jesus gives eternal life, which he defines as knowing the Father and the sent Son.
References John 17:2-3
Lexicon eternal life
Why it matters The term defines salvation relationally and Christologically.
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense know, recognize, know relationally
Definition Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent.
References John 17:3, 17:7-8, 17:23, 17:25
Lexicon know, recognize, know relationally
Why it matters The term shows that salvation is relational knowledge of God through Christ.
Individual words μόνῳ σοφῷ θεῷ monō sophō theō · σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς skēnēs tēs alēthinēs · βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ bdelygma enōpion tou theou
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense only true God
Definition Jesus identifies the Father as the only true God in defining eternal life.
References John 17:3
Lexicon only true God
Why it matters The phrase preserves monotheistic truth while placing Jesus Christ within saving knowledge.
Individual words Christ Jesus our hope Christos Iēsous hē elpis hēmōn · χωρὶς Χριστοῦ chōris Christou
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Jesus Christ, Jesus the Messiah
Definition Eternal life includes knowing Jesus Christ whom the Father sent.
References John 17:3
Lexicon Jesus Christ, Jesus the Messiah
Why it matters The phrase identifies Jesus as the sent Messiah who must be known for eternal life.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense send, commission
Definition The Father sent Jesus, and Jesus sends the disciples.
References John 17:3, 17:8, 17:18, 17:21, 17:23, 17:25
Lexicon send, commission
Why it matters Sentness anchors Christ’s mission and the church’s mission.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense complete, finish, bring to completion
Definition Jesus glorified the Father by finishing the work given to him.
References John 17:4
Lexicon complete, finish, bring to completion
Why it matters The term anticipates the completed saving work declared at the cross.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense work, task, deed
Definition Jesus completed the work the Father gave him to do.
References John 17:4
Lexicon work, task, deed
Why it matters The term refers to Jesus’ mission of revelation, obedience, signs, and saving work culminating at the cross.
Individual words πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι pro tou ton kosmon einai · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou · τίνι ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ tini homoia estin hē basileia tou theou
Sense before the world existed
Definition Jesus asks for the glory he had with the Father before the world existed.
References John 17:5
Lexicon before the world existed
Why it matters The phrase reveals Jesus’ preexistence and eternal glory with the Father.
Sense name, revealed identity, authority, character
Definition Jesus revealed the Father’s name and prays for the disciples to be protected by that name.
References John 17:6, 17:11-12, 17:26
Lexicon name, revealed identity, authority, character
Why it matters The Father’s name represents His revealed identity and preserving power.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense reveal, make known, manifest
Definition Jesus revealed the Father’s name to those given to him.
References John 17:6
Lexicon reveal, make known, manifest
Why it matters The term identifies Jesus as the revealer of the Father.
Sense world, fallen human order, created realm
Definition The disciples are given out of the world, remain in the world, are hated by the world, and are sent into the world.
References John 17:5-6, 17:9, 17:11, 17:13-18, 17:21, 17:23-25
Lexicon world, fallen human order, created realm
Why it matters The term frames the disciples’ distinct identity and mission amid hostility.
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense keep, guard, obey, preserve
Definition The disciples have kept the Father’s word, and Jesus prays for the Father to keep them in his name.
References John 17:6, 17:11-12, 17:15
Lexicon keep, guard, obey, preserve
Why it matters The term carries both obedient reception and divine preservation.
Sense word, message, saying
Definition Jesus gives the disciples the Father’s words, and the Father’s word is truth.
References John 17:6, 17:8, 17:14, 17:17, 17:20
Lexicon word, message, saying
Why it matters The word is the means of revelation, faith, joy, world hatred, and sanctification.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense receive, accept
Definition The disciples received the words Jesus gave them from the Father.
References John 17:8
Lexicon receive, accept
Why it matters Receiving Jesus’ words marks true discipleship and faith in His mission.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense believe, trust
Definition The disciples believed that the Father sent Jesus.
References John 17:8, 17:20-21
Lexicon believe, trust
Why it matters Faith in Jesus’ divine mission is central to discipleship and future witness.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense ask, request, pray
Definition Jesus prays for those given to him and later for future believers.
References John 17:9, 17:15, 17:20
Lexicon ask, request, pray
Why it matters The term shows Jesus’ intercessory role before the Father.
Individual words τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν to pneuma tou patros hymōn · φιλήματι ἁγίῳ philēmati hagiō
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Holy Father
Definition Jesus addresses the Father as Holy Father when praying for the disciples’ protection.
References John 17:11
Lexicon Holy Father
Why it matters The title connects the Father’s holiness with the preservation and unity of His people.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense keep, guard, protect
Definition Jesus asks the Father to protect the disciples by his name.
References John 17:11, 17:15
Lexicon keep, guard, protect
Why it matters The term grounds perseverance in the Father’s preserving action.
Sense one, united
Definition Jesus prays that the disciples and future believers may be one.
References John 17:11, 17:21-23
Lexicon one, united
Why it matters The term expresses unity patterned after Father-Son unity and serving world witness.
Form in passage Aorist · Middle · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense lose, destroy, perish
Definition Jesus says none has been lost except the son of destruction.
References John 17:12
Lexicon lose, destroy, perish
Why it matters The term highlights Jesus’ preservation of His own and the exceptional case of Judas in fulfillment of Scripture.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense son of destruction, one characterized by ruin/perdition
Definition Jesus refers to Judas as the son of destruction.
References John 17:12
Lexicon son of destruction, one characterized by ruin/perdition
Why it matters The phrase identifies Judas as the Scripture-fulfilling betrayer and warns against outward nearness without true belonging.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Scripture, sacred writing
Definition Judas’ loss occurs so Scripture would be fulfilled.
References John 17:12
Lexicon Scripture, sacred writing
Why it matters The term shows that betrayal does not defeat divine purpose.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense fulfill, bring to completion
Definition Scripture is fulfilled in the loss of the son of destruction.
References John 17:12
Lexicon fulfill, bring to completion
Why it matters The term interprets betrayal within God’s sovereign scriptural plan.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense joy, gladness
Definition Jesus speaks so that the disciples may have the full measure of his joy within them.
References John 17:13
Lexicon joy, gladness
Why it matters Jesus’ joy is intended to dwell in disciples even as they remain in a hostile world.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense hate, reject, despise
Definition The world has hated the disciples because they are not of the world.
References John 17:14
Lexicon hate, reject, despise
Why it matters The term shows that receiving Jesus’ word creates conflict with the world.
Cross-language bridge 3 links · View in lexicon
Individual words μὴ καταβάτω ἆραι αὐτά mē katabatō arai auta · ἀστράπτουσα ἐκ τῆς ὑπ’ οὐρανὸν ... λάμπει astraptousa ek tēs hyp' ouranon ... lampeī
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense take out, remove from
Definition Jesus does not ask the Father to take the disciples out of the world.
References John 17:15
Lexicon take out, remove from
Why it matters The phrase rejects withdrawal from the world as the goal of preservation.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense evil one, wicked one
Definition Jesus prays for protection from the evil one.
References John 17:15
Lexicon evil one, wicked one
Why it matters The term names the personal spiritual threat facing disciples in the world.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense sanctify, make holy, consecrate, set apart
Definition Jesus asks the Father to sanctify the disciples by the truth and says he sanctifies himself for their sake.
References John 17:17, 17:19
Lexicon sanctify, make holy, consecrate, set apart
Why it matters The term joins holiness, consecration, mission, and Jesus’ self-offering.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense truth, reality, faithful revelation
Definition Jesus asks the Father to sanctify the disciples by the truth and says the Father’s word is truth.
References John 17:17, 17:19
Lexicon truth, reality, faithful revelation
Why it matters Truth is the means of sanctification and is identified with God’s word.
Individual words τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ to phōs to en soi · ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας apesterēmenōn tēs alētheias
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense in truth, truly
Definition Jesus sanctifies himself so that the disciples may be sanctified in truth.
References John 17:19
Lexicon in truth, truly
Why it matters The phrase emphasizes genuine sanctification grounded in Jesus’ consecration and God’s truth.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense message, word, testimony
Definition Future believers will believe in Jesus through the disciples’ word.
References John 17:20
Lexicon message, word, testimony
Why it matters The term establishes apostolic witness as the means through which later believers come to faith.
Sense in us
Definition Jesus prays that believers may be in Father and Son.
References John 17:21
Lexicon in us
Why it matters The phrase grounds unity and witness in participation in Father-Son communion.
Sense glory, honor, divine splendor
Definition Jesus gives believers the glory given to him and desires them to see his glory.
References John 17:22, 17:24
Lexicon glory, honor, divine splendor
Why it matters The term connects Jesus’ divine glory, cross-glory, shared glory, and final glory.
Individual words τετελειωμένοι εἰς ἕν teteleiōmenoi eis hen · ἀπολέσας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἓν apolesas ex autōn hen
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense made complete into one
Definition Jesus prays that believers may be brought to complete unity.
References John 17:23
Lexicon made complete into one
Why it matters The phrase describes unity brought to maturity through Christ’s indwelling and the Father’s love.
Individual words φιλέω / ἀγαπάω phileō / agapaō · πίστις δι’ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη pistis di' agapēs energoumenē
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense love, self-giving divine love
Definition The Father loved the Son before creation and loves believers as he loved the Son.
References John 17:23-26
Lexicon love, self-giving divine love
Why it matters Divine love is the eternal ground and final experience of salvation.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense will, want, desire
Definition Jesus desires that those given to him be with him and see his glory.
References John 17:24
Lexicon will, want, desire
Why it matters The term reveals Jesus’ expressed desire for the final destiny of His people.
Individual words τίνι ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ tini homoia estin hē basileia tou theou · σὺ πάντοτε μετ’ ἐμοῦ εἶ sy pantote met' emou ei · ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν hyper hēmōn
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense be with me
Definition Jesus wants his people to be with him where he is.
References John 17:24
Lexicon be with me
Why it matters The phrase identifies final salvation as personal fellowship with Christ.
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense see, behold, contemplate
Definition Jesus desires his people to behold his glory.
References John 17:24
Lexicon see, behold, contemplate
Why it matters The term expresses the final vision of Christ’s glory as the believer’s hope.
Individual words πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι pro tou ton kosmon einai · πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου pro katabolēs kosmou · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense before the foundation of the world
Definition The Father loved the Son before the creation of the world.
References John 17:24
Lexicon before the foundation of the world
Why it matters The phrase reveals eternal Father-Son love prior to creation.
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Righteous Father
Definition Jesus addresses the Father as righteous Father.
References John 17:25
Lexicon Righteous Father
Why it matters The title contrasts the world’s ignorance with the Father’s righteous identity and Jesus’ true knowledge of Him.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense make known, reveal, declare
Definition Jesus has made the Father known and will continue to make him known.
References John 17:26
Lexicon make known, reveal, declare
Why it matters The term captures Jesus’ ongoing revelatory ministry.
Individual words τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ to phōs to en soi · αὐτῶν καὶ ὑμῶν ὁ κύριός autōn kai hymōn ho kyrios
Sense in them
Definition Jesus prays that the Father’s love may be in believers and that Jesus himself may be in them.
References John 17:26
Lexicon in them
Why it matters The phrase brings the prayer to a climax in indwelling love and Christ’s presence.
Definition Hour; the appointed time of Jesus’ death and glorification.
References John 17:1
Individual words δοξασθῶσιν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων doxasthōsin hypo tōn anthrōpōn · σώματι τῆς δόξης sōmati tēs doxēs
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Glorify/glory; the revelation of Father-Son glory through the cross, return, shared glory, and final beholding.
References John 17:1-5, 17:22, 17:24
Definition Authority; the Son’s authority over all flesh to give eternal life.
References John 17:2
Definition Eternal life; knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent.
References John 17:2-3
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Know; relational saving knowledge of Father and Son.
References John 17:3, 17:7-8, 17:23, 17:25
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Send; the Father sends the Son, and the Son sends the disciples.
References John 17:3, 17:8, 17:18, 17:21, 17:23, 17:25
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Definition Complete or perfect; Jesus completes the Father’s work and believers are brought into complete unity.
References John 17:4, 17:23
Individual words πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι pro tou ton kosmon einai · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou · τίνι ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ tini homoia estin hē basileia tou theou
Definition Before the world existed; Jesus’ preexistent glory with the Father.
References John 17:5
Definition Name; the Father’s revealed identity and preserving power.
References John 17:6, 17:11-12, 17:26
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Give; repeated divine-gift language structuring the prayer.
References John 17:2, 17:4, 17:6-9, 17:11-12, 17:14, 17:22, 17:24
Definition Word/words; the Father’s revelation through Jesus, received by disciples and sanctifying as truth.
References John 17:6, 17:8, 17:14, 17:17, 17:20
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Keep, guard, obey; disciples keep the word and are kept by the Father’s name.
References John 17:6, 17:11-12, 17:15
Definition One; unity of believers patterned after Father-Son unity.
References John 17:11, 17:21-23
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Son of destruction; Judas as Scripture-fulfilling betrayer.
References John 17:12
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Joy; Jesus’ joy fulfilled in the disciples.
References John 17:13
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Definition Evil one; personal evil from whom Jesus asks protection for his disciples.
References John 17:15
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Sanctify; set apart in truth and through Jesus’ self-consecration.
References John 17:17, 17:19
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Truth; God’s word as the means of sanctification.
References John 17:17, 17:19
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Believe; disciples and future believers trust that the Father sent Jesus.
References John 17:8, 17:20-21
Individual words τετελειωμένοι εἰς ἕν teteleiōmenoi eis hen · ἀπολέσας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἓν apolesas ex autōn hen
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Participle · Plural What is this?
Definition Perfected into one; complete unity of believers through divine indwelling.
References John 17:23
Individual words πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι pro tou ton kosmon einai · πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου pro katabolēs kosmou · ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ho archōn tou kosmou toutou
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Definition Before the foundation of the world; the Father’s eternal love for the Son.
References John 17:24
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Definition Behold; believers’ final seeing of Christ’s glory.
References John 17:24
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Definition Righteous Father; the Father known by Jesus but unknown to the world.
References John 17:25
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Definition Make known; Jesus’ continuing revelation of the Father.
References John 17:26
Individual words τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ to phōs to en soi · αὐτῶν καὶ ὑμῶν ὁ κύριός autōn kai hymōn ho kyrios
Definition In them; divine love and Christ’s indwelling presence in believers.
References John 17:26
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (48)
strong contrast / correction 3purpose clause 17conditional clause 1content marker or causal 10comparative / scriptural grounding 8continuation or mild contrast 4additive / emphatic 5
| v.1 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.2 | καθὼςEven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it.ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.3 | δέnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.5 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.7 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.8 | ὅτιforcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.9 | ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead?ὅτιforcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.10 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.11 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.12 | εἰonlyconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.13 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.14 | ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.15 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead?ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.16 | καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.18 | καθὼςEven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.19 | καὶandadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.20 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.21 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.22 | ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.23 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.καθὼςeven ascomparative / scriptural groundingWhen Paul writes καθώς γέγραπται ('just as it is written'), he is providing scriptural warrant for everything preceding it. |
| v.24 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.25 | δέnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.26 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἵναso thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (78 main verbs)
completed 30ongoing 9prospective 1resultant 16imperative 4subjunctive 11background 2infinitive 1participle 4
| v.1 | ἐλάλησενlaléōspokeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐπάραςepaírōlifting upaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐλήλυθενérchomaicomeperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδόξασόνdoxázōglorifyaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδοξάσῃdoxázōglorifyaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.2 | ἔδωκαςdídōmigivenaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδέδωκαςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδώσῃdídōmigiveaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.3 | γινώσκωσιginṓskōknowpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.4 | ἐδόξασαdoxázōglorifiedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτελειώσαςteleióōcompletingaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδέδωκάςdídōmigaveperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultποιήσωpoiéōdoaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.5 | δόξασόνdoxázōglorifyaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationεἶχονéchōhadimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionεἶναιeînaiexistedpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.6 | Ἐφανέρωσάphaneróōmanifestedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔδωκάςdídōmigaveaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔδωκαςdídōmigaveaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτετήρηκανtēréōkeptperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.7 | ἔγνωκανginṓskōknowperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.8 | ἔδωκάςdídōmigaveaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδέδωκαdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἔλαβονlambánōreceivedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔγνωσανginṓskōknowaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐξῆλθονexérchomaicameaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐπίστευσανpisteúōbelievedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.9 | ἐρωτῶerōtáōpraypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐρωτῶerōtáōprayingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.10 | δεδόξασμαιdoxázōglorifiedperfect passive indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.11 | ἔρχομαιérchomaicomingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthτήρησονtēréōkeepaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.12 | ἐτήρουνtēréōkeptimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionδέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἐφύλαξαphylássōguardedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀπώλετοlostaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπληρωθῇplēróōfulfilledaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.13 | ἔρχομαιérchomaicomingpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλαλῶlaléōspeakpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔχωσινéchōhavepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentπεπληρωμένηνplēróōcompletedperfect passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.14 | δέδωκαdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἐμίσησενmiséōhatedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.15 | ἐρωτῶerōtáōaskpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἄρῃςtakeaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentτηρήσῃςtēréōprotectaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.17 | ἁγίασονsanctifyaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.18 | ἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀπέστειλαsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.19 | ἁγιάζωsanctifypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.20 | ἐρωτῶerōtáōaskpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπιστευόντωνpisteúōbelievepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.21 | πιστεύῃpisteúōbelievepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.22 | δέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδέδωκαdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.23 | γινώσκῃginṓskōknowpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἠγάπησαςlovedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἠγάπησαςlovedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.24 | δέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultθέλωthélōdesirepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthθεωρῶσινtheōréōseepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentδέδωκάςdídōmigivenperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἠγάπησάςlovedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.25 | ἔγνωginṓskōknowaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔγνωνginṓskōknownaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔγνωσανginṓskōknowaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀπέστειλαςsentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.26 | ἐγνώρισαgnōrízōmade ~ knownaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionγνωρίσωgnōrízōmake ~ knownfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἠγάπησάςlovedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
The reader must see Jesus as the preexistent, sent, obedient, interceding Son who completes the Father’s work, gives eternal life, sanctifies His people, sends them into the world, unites them in divine love, and brings them to behold His glory.
The chapter presses believers away from shallow unity, worldliness, self-preservation, truthless mission, and earthbound hope, and toward Christ-centered assurance, sanctification by the word, mission in the world, unity in truth, and longing to behold the glory of Christ.
A kept, sanctified, unified, mission-sent, truth-governed people who live in the Father’s love, under the Son’s intercession, and for the glory of God.
Practice Response
- Read John 17 and mark every reference to glory, Father, Son, give/given, world, word, name, one, truth, sent, love, and glory.
- Use John 17:1-5 to teach the cross as glory and eternal life as knowing God through Christ.
- Use John 17:6-10 to teach that disciples belong to the Father and Son and receive the Father’s words through Jesus.
- Use John 17:11-12 to teach preservation in the Father’s name and unity grounded in divine keeping.
- Use John 17:13-16 to teach joy, world-hatred, and protection from the evil one.
- Use John 17:17 to anchor sanctification in the truth of God’s word.
- Use John 17:18-19 to connect sanctification and mission.
- Use John 17:20-23 to teach future believers, apostolic witness, unity, and world witness.
- Use John 17:24 to preach the final hope of beholding Christ’s glory.
- Use John 17:25-26 to teach the continuing revelation of the Father and the indwelling love of God in believers.
Warnings and Misreadings
- John 17 is primarily intercessory and consoling, but it contains serious warnings. The world is hostile because it does not know the Father. The disciples remain in the world and need protection from the evil one. Judas is identified as the son of destruction, showing the danger of outward association without true belonging. The prayer also warns against unity detached from truth, mission detached from sanctification, and church identity detached from the apostolic word.
- John 17 is deeply doctrinal, revealing Jesus’ glory, mission, intercession, preservation, sanctification, unity, and final purpose for His people.
- Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent.
- Jesus asks to be glorified with the Father with the glory He had before the world began.
- The unity Jesus prays for is grounded in Father-Son truth, apostolic word, sanctification, and divine indwelling.
- In John 17:9 Jesus speaks of a specific intercessory focus on those given to Him · this does not cancel John 3:16 or Jesus’ mission toward the world.
- Jesus explicitly does not ask that the disciples be taken out of the world, but protected from the evil one.
- Jesus prays, 'Sanctify them by the truth · Your word is truth.'
- The disciples are sent as Jesus was sent, but their mission depends on being kept, sanctified, and grounded in the Father’s word.
- Future believers believe through the message of the apostles, making apostolic testimony foundational.
- Glory includes Jesus’ cross, resurrection, return to the Father, shared glory with believers, and final beholding of Christ’s glory.
- Seeing Christ’s glory is central to the final goal of salvation.
- Jesus prays that the Father’s love for the Son may be in believers and that Jesus Himself may be in them.
Discipleship Questions
- Do I see the cross as the hour of Christ’s glory and the Father’s glory?
- Do I define eternal life as knowing God through Jesus Christ, or merely as endless existence?
- Am I resting in the work Jesus finished, or trying to complete what only He can complete?
- Do I receive Jesus’ words as words from the Father?
- Do I live with confidence that Jesus intercedes for His own?
- Am I seeking preservation in the Father’s name rather than self-protection by worldly compromise?
- Is my desire for unity governed by truth, holiness, and mission?
- Do I expect Jesus’ joy while remaining in a hostile world?
- Where am I tempted to belong to the world rather than be sent into it?
- Do I ask to escape the world more than I ask to be kept from the evil one?
- Am I being sanctified by the truth of God’s word?
- Do I understand mission as participation in Jesus’ own sentness?
- Do I value the apostolic message as the means by which believers come to faith?
- Does my life help the world see that the Father sent the Son?
- Is my hope fixed on being with Christ and beholding His glory?
- Do I live as one brought into the Father’s love for the Son?
Pastoral Applications
- John 17 should be preached as Jesus’ intercession before the cross. The sermon must not flatten the chapter into vague unity language. The text is about glory, eternal life, divine mission, preservation, sanctification, apostolic witness, unity in truth, and final beholding of Christ.
- Jesus’ prayer teaches the church what matters most in crisis: God’s glory, the completion of Christ’s work, protection from the evil one, sanctification in truth, unity, mission, and final fellowship with Christ.
- Believers should be comforted that they are not held by their grip on Christ but by the Father’s gift, the Son’s intercession, and the Father’s name.
- Unity must be pursued deeply, but never cheaply. Jesus prays for unity grounded in truth, sanctification, apostolic witness, divine love, and shared life in Father and Son.
- The church must never treat sanctification as optional or merely behavioral. Jesus prays for His people to be sanctified by the truth of God’s word.
- Jesus sends His disciples into the world as the Father sent Him. The church must reject both withdrawal from the world and conformity to the world.
- Jesus does not ask for removal from the world but protection from the evil one. Pastoral care must prepare believers for faithful presence in danger, not escapist spirituality.
- John 17 grounds the church in the word given by the Father through the Son and then through the apostolic message. Truth is not self-defined · the Father’s word is truth.
- The final hope of believers is not vague bliss but being with Christ and beholding His glory, the glory of the beloved Son from before creation.
- John 17 forms believers in worship of the Father and Son: the Father sends, gives, loves, and glorifies · the Son reveals, completes, intercedes, sanctifies, sends, and indwells.
Pastoral Trajectories
Jesus interprets the approaching cross as the hour in which the Son and Father are glorified.
The Father gives the Son authority over all flesh so He may give eternal life to those given to Him.
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the Father and the sent Son.
Jesus has finished the Father’s work on earth and asks to be glorified with the glory He had before creation.
Those given by the Father to the Son receive the Father’s words through Jesus.
Jesus is returning to the Father, while the disciples remain in the world and need to be kept.
Protection in the Father’s name aims at unity reflecting Father-Son unity.
The world hates the disciples because they received the word, so Jesus prays for protection from the evil one.
The Father’s word is truth, and the disciples are sanctified by that truth.
Jesus sends His sanctified disciples into the world as the Father sent Him.
Those who believe later do so through the message of the first disciples.
The unity of believers bears witness that the Father sent the Son.
Jesus’ desire reaches beyond preservation in the world to believers being with Him and seeing His glory.
Jesus makes the Father known so that the Father’s love for the Son may dwell in believers and Jesus may be in them.
Motifs in This Chapter
Study holiness as divine character, covenant identity, and sanctified life across Scripture.
Trace remnant preservation, covenant continuity, and mercy under judgment across Scripture.
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Jesus prays first for His own glorification in order to glorify the Father, then for the preservation and sanctification of the disciples given to Him, and finally for all future believers to be united, glorified, loved, and brought to behold His glory.
John 17 reveals the covenant people of God as those given by the Father to the Son, kept in the Father’s name, sanctified by the Father’s word, sent into the world by the Son, and brought into unity and love grounded in Father-Son communion. Jesus fulfills priestly intercession, covenant mediation, and mission. The new covenant community is not formed by ethnicity, institutional identity, or human strength, but by divine gift, reception of the Son’s word, sanctification in truth, and participation in the love of Father and Son.
John 17 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus’ death is the hour of glory and the completion of the Father’s saving work. The Son has authority over all flesh and gives eternal life to those the Father has given Him. Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Jesus reveals the Father’s name, gives the Father’s words, protects His own, sanctifies Himself for their sake, sends them into the world, and prays for all who will believe through the apostolic message.
The gospel creates a people who are kept from the evil one, sanctified by the truth, united in divine love, sent into the world, and destined to be with Christ and behold His glory.
A kept, sanctified, unified, mission-sent, truth-governed people who live in the Father’s love, under the Son’s intercession, and for the glory of God.
Focus Points
- The hour of Jesus
- Glory of the Father and Son
- Authority over all flesh
- Eternal life
- Knowing God and Jesus Christ
- Jesus as sent by the Father
- Completion of Jesus’ work
- Preexistent glory of Christ
- The Father’s name revealed
- The Father’s gift of people to the Son
- Receiving the Father’s words through Jesus
- Jesus’ intercession for His own
- Shared possession of Father and Son
- Jesus glorified in His disciples
- Preservation in the Father’s name
- Unity modeled on Father-Son unity
- Judas as son of destruction and Scripture fulfilled
- Jesus’ joy fulfilled in disciples
- The world’s hatred
- Not of the world
- Protection from the evil one
- Sanctification by truth
- God’s word as truth
- Mission into the world
- Jesus sanctifying Himself
- Apostolic witness and future believers
- Unity of all believers
- World witness
- Shared glory
- Complete unity
- The Father’s love for believers
- Beholding Christ’s glory
- Love before creation
- The righteous Father
- Jesus making the Father known
- Christ indwelling His people
- Glorification of the Son
- Authority of Christ
- Mission of the Son
- Preexistence of Christ
- Revelation of the Father
- Divine Gift of the People to the Son
- Reception of the Word
- Intercession of Christ
- Perseverance and Preservation
- Unity of Believers
- World Hatred
- Mission of the Church
- Christ’s Self-Sanctification
- Apostolic Foundation
- Believers’ Future Glory
- Eternal Love of Father and Son
- Christ in Believers
Cross References
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him. Without Him, nothing was made that has been made.
Same-book foundation
For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.
Mission of the Son
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell You, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father doing. For whatever things He does, these the Son also does likewise. For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does. He will show Him greater works than these, that You may marvel. For as the...
Authority and life
All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all He has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise Him up at the last day.
Given people and preservation
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Security of Christ’s sheep
When He had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in Him. If God has been glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him immediately. Little children, I will be with You a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, You can’t come,’...
Glory and love background
Jesus said to Him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If You had known me, You would have known my Father also. From now on, You know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Knowing Father through Son
If the world hates You, You know that it has hated me before it hated You. If You were of the world, the world would love its own. But because You are not of the world, since I chose You out of the world, therefore the world hates You. Remember the word that I said to You: ‘A servant is not greater than His lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also...
World hatred
I have told You these things, that in me You may have peace. In the world You have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Immediate context
Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to You. As the Father has sent me, even so I send You.”
Mission fulfillment
I will declare Your name to my brothers. Among the assembly, I will praise You.
Old Testament foundation
Therefore I will give Him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because He poured out His soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet He bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Old Testament foundation
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, seeing that He lives forever to make intercession for them.
Canonical development
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg You to walk worthily of the calling with which You were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Unity development
We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Johannine counterpart
Passages
Chapter opening: John 17:1-5
Lifting up (επαρας). First aorist active participle of επαιρω, old and common verb with οφθαλμους (eyes) as in 4:35 ; 6:5 ; 11:41 . Father (Πατερ). Vocative form as in verses 5 , 11 ; 11:41 , Christ's usual way of beginning his prayers. It is inconceivable that this real Lord's Prayer is the free composition of a disciple put into the mouth of Jesus. It is rather "the tenacious memory of an old man recalling the greatest days of his life" (Bernard), aided by the Holy Spirit promised for this very purpose ( Joh 14:26 ; 16:13 f.
). Jesus had the habit of prayer ( Mr 1:35 ; 6:46 ; Mt 11:25 f. ; Lu 3:21 ; 5:16 ; 6:12 ; 9:18 , 28 ; 11:22 , 42 ; 23:34 , 46 ; Joh 11:41 ; 12:27 ). He prayed here for himself ( 1-5 ), for the disciples ( 6-19 ), for all believers ( 20-26 ). The prayer is similar in spirit to the Model Prayer for us in Mt 6:9-13 . The hour for his glorification has come as he had already told the disciples ( 13:31 f.
; 12:23 ). Glorify thy Son (δοξασον σου τον υιον). First aorist active imperative of δοξαζω, the only personal petition in this prayer. Jesus had already used this word δοξαζω for his death ( 13:31 f. ). Here it carries us into the very depths of Christ's own consciousness. It is not merely for strength to meet the Cross, but for the power to glorify the Father by his death and resurrection and ascension, "that the Son may glorify thee" (ινα ο υιος δοξαση σε).
Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive.
Authority over all flesh (εξουσιαν πασης σαρκος). Σαρκος is objective genitive. Stupendous claim impossible for a mere man to make. Made already in Mt 11:27 ; Lu 10:22 (Q, the Logia of Jesus, our earliest known document about Jesus) and repeated in Mt 28:18 after his resurrection. That (ινα). Secondary purpose with ινα δωσε (future active indicative) carrying on the idea of ινα δοξαση.
See 13:34 ; 17:21 for ινα, καθωσ, ινα. Whatsoever (παν ο). A peculiar classical Greek idiom, the collective use of the singular παν ο as in 6:37 , 39 and ο in 17:24 and the nominative absolute ( nom. pendens ) with αυτοις (to them), the dative plural explaining the construction. See Robertson, Grammar , p. 653.
Should know (γινωσκωσιν). Present active subjunctive with ινα (subject clause), "should keep on knowing." Even Jesus Christ (Ιησουν Χριστον). See 1:17 for the only other place in John's Gospel where the words occur together. Coming here in the Lord's own prayer about himself they create difficulty, unless, as Westcott suggests, Χριστον be regarded as a predicate accusative, "Jesus as the Christ" (Messiah).
Otherwise the words would seem to be John's parenthetical interpretation of the idea of Jesus. Lucke thinks that the solemnity of this occasion explains Jesus referring to himself in the third person. The knowledge of "the only true God" is through Jesus Christ ( 14:6-9 ).
I glorified thee on the earth (εγω σε εδοξασα επ της γης). Verse 3 is parenthetical and so verse 4 goes on after verse 2 . He had prayed for further glorification. Having accomplished (τελειωσας). First aorist active participle of τελειοω, old verb from τελειος (perfect). Used in 4:34 by Jesus with το εργον as here. That was Christ's "food" (βρωμα) and joy. Now as he faces death he has no sense of failure as some modern critics say, but rather fulness of attainment as in 19:30 (τετελεστα).
Christ does not die as a disappointed man, but as the successful messenger, apostle (απεστειλας, verse 3 ) of the Father to men. Thou hast given (δεδωκας). Perfect active indicative of διδωμ, regarded as a permanent task.
With thine own self (παρα σεαυτω). "By the side of thyself." Jesus prays for full restoration to the pre-incarnate glory and fellowship (cf. 1:1 ) enjoyed before the Incarnation ( Joh 1:14 ). This is not just ideal pre-existence, but actual and conscious existence at the Father's side (παρα σο, with thee) "which I had" (η ειχον, imperfect active of εχω, I used to have, with attraction of case of ην to η because of δοξη), "before the world was" (προ του τον κοσμον εινα), "before the being as to the world" (cf.
verse 24 ). It is small wonder that those who deny or reject the deity of Jesus Christ have trouble with the Johannine authorship of this book and with the genuineness of these words. But even Harnack admits that the words here and in verse 24 are "undoubtedly the reflection of the certainty with which Jesus himself spoke" ( What Is Christianity , Engl. Tr. , p.
132). But Paul, as clearly as John, believes in the actual pre-existence and deity of Jesus Christ ( Php 2:5-11 ).
I manifested (εφανερωσα). First aorist active indicative of φανεροω (from φανερος, manifest). Another word for claiming successful accomplishment of his task as in verse 4 with εδοξασα and in verse 26 with εγνωρισα. Whom (ους). Accusative case after εδωκας, not attracted to case of antecedent (ανθρωποις). Jesus regards the apostles as the Father's gift to him.
Recall the night of prayer before he chose them. They have kept (τετηρηκαν). Perfect active indicative, late Koine form for the third plural instead of the usual τετηρηκασιν. Jesus claims loyalty and fidelity in these men with the one exception of Judas (verse 12 ). He does not claim perfection for them, but they have at least held on to the message of the Father in spite of doubt and wavering ( 6:67-71 ; Mt 16:15-20 ).
Now they know (νυν εγνωκαν). Perfect active indicative third plural like τετηρηκαν above. They have come to know, not as fully as they felt ( 16:30 ), and yet in a real sense.
The words (τα ρηματα). Plural, each word of God, as in 3:34 , and of Christ ( 5:47 ; 6:63 , 68 ), while the singular (τον λογον σου) in verses 6 , 14 views God's message as a whole. Knew (εγνωσαν). Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω like ελαβον in contrast with εγνωκαν (perfect) in verse 7 . They definitely "received and recognized truly" (αληθως). There was comfort to Christ in this fact.
They believed (επιστευσαν). Another aorist parallel with ελαβον and εγνωσαν. The disciples believed in Christ's mission from the Father ( Joh 6:69 ; Mt 16:16 ). Note απεστειλας here as in verse 3 . Christ is God's Apostle to man ( Heb 3:1 ). This statement, like a solemn refrain (Θου διδστ σενδ με), occurs five times in this prayer (verses 8 , 18 , 21 , 23 , 25 ).
I pray (εγω ερωτω). Request, not question, as in 16:23 . Not for the world (ου περ του κοσμου). Now at this point in the prayer Christ means. In verse 19 Jesus does pray for the world (for future believers) that it may believe (verse 21 ). God loves the whole world ( 3:16 ). Christ died for sinners ( Ro 5:8 ) and prayed for sinners ( Lu 23:34 ) and intercedes for sinners ( 1Jo 2:1 f.
; Ro 8:34 ; Heb 7:25 ). For those whom (περ ων). A condensed and common Greek idiom for περ τουτων ους with τουτων (the demonstrative antecedent) omitted and the relative ους attracted from the accusative ους (object of δεδωκας) to the case (genitive) of the omitted antecedent.
Are (εστιν). Singular number in the Greek (is), not the plural εισιν (are), emphasizing the unity of the whole as in 16:15 . "This no creature can say in reference to God" (Luther). I am glorified in them (δεδοξασμα εν αυτοις). "I stand glorified (perfect passive indicative of δοξαζω) in the disciples" (εν αυτοις), in spite of all their shortcomings and failings. There is comfort for us in this.
And these (κα ουτο or αυτο, they). Note adversative use of κα (= but these). I come (ερεομα). Futuristic present, "I am coming." Cf. 13:3 ; 14:12 ; 17:13 . Christ will no longer be visibly present to the world, but he will be with the believers through the Holy Spirit ( Mt 28:20 ). Holy Father (πατερ αγιε). Only here in the N. T. , but see 1Jo 2:20 ; Lu 1:49 for the holiness of God, a thoroughly Jewish conception.
See Joh 6:69 where Peter calls Jesus ο αγιος του θεου. For the word applied to saints see Ac 9:13 . See verse 25 for πατηρ δικαιε (Righteous Father). Keep them (τηρησον αυτους). First aorist (constative) active imperative of τηρεω, as now specially needing the Father's care with Jesus gone (urgency of the aorist tense in prayer). Which (ω). Locative case of the neuter relative singular, attracted from the accusative ο to the case of the antecedent ονοματ (name).
That they may be one (ινα ωσιν εν). Purpose clause with ινα and the present active subjunctive of ειμ (that they may keep on being). Oneness of will and spirit (εν, neuter singular), not one person (εις, masculine singular) for which Christ does not pray. Each time Jesus uses εν (verses 11 , 21 , 22 ) and once, εις εν, "into one" (verse 23 ). This is Christ's prayer for all believers, for unity, not for organic union of which we hear so much.
The disciples had union, but lacked unity or oneness of spirit as was shown this very evening at the supper ( Lu 22:24 ; Joh 13:4-15 ). Jesus offers the unity in the Trinity (three persons, but one God) as the model for believers. The witness of the disciples will fail without harmony ( 17:21 ).
I kept (ετηρουν). Imperfect active of τηρεω, "I continued to keep." I guarded (εφυλαξα). First aorist (constative) active of φυλασσω. Christ was the sentinel (φυλαξ, Ac 5:23 ) for them. Is he our sentinel now? But the son of perdition (ε μη ο υιος της απωλειας). The very phrase for antichrist ( 2Th 2:3 ). Note play on απωλετο, perished (second aorist middle indicative of απολλυμ).
It means the son marked by final loss, not annihilation, but meeting one's destiny ( Ac 2:25 ). A sad and terrible exception ( Mr 14:21 ). The scripture (η γραφη). It is not clear whether this is John's own comment or the word of Jesus. Not in 18:9 . The Scripture referred to is probably Ps 41:9 quoted in 13:18 with the same formula ινα πληρωθη which see there.
That they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves (ινα εχωσιν την χαραν την εμην πεπληρωμενην εν εαυτοις). Purpose clause with present active subjunctive of εχω, "that they may keep on having Christ's joy in their faithfulness realized in themselves." Πεπληρωμενην is the perfect passive participle of πληροω in the predicate position. For the use of πληροω with χαρα (joy) see 15:11 ; 16:24 ; Php 2:2 .
Not of the world (ουκ εκ του κοσμου). They are "in the world" (εν τω κοσμω, verse 13 ) still and Christ sends them "into the world" (εις τον κοσμον, verse 18 ), but they must not be like the world nor get their spirit, standards, and message "out of the world," else they can do the world no good. These verses ( 14-19 ) picture the Master's ideal for believers and go far towards explaining the failure of Christians in winning the world to Christ.
Too often the world fails to see the difference or the gain by the change.
Shouldest take (αρηις). First aorist active subjunctive of αιρω (liquid verb). From the evil one (εκ του πονηρου). Ablative case with εκ, but can mean the evil man, Satan, or the evil deed. See same ambiguity in Mt 6:13 . But in 1Jo 5:18 ο πονηρος is masculine (the evil one). Cf. Re 3:10 .
Repetition of verse 14 for emphasis.
Sanctify (αγιασον). First aorist active imperative of αγιαζω. To consecrate or set apart persons or things to God. See Ex 28:41 ; 29:1 , 36 ; 40:13 . See Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians ( 1Th 5:23 ). This is done in the sphere (εν) of truth (God's truth), God's Word (not human speculation, but God's message to us).
Sent I them (απεστειλα αυτους). The very verb (αποστελλω) used of the original commission of these men ( Mr 3:14 ) and the special commission ( Lu 9:2 ) and the renewal of the commission after the resurrection ( Joh 20:21 f. , both αποστελλω and πεμπω here).
I sanctify myself (εγω αγιαζω εμαυτον). To his holy ministry to which the Father "sanctified" (ηγιασεν) him ( Joh 10:36 ). That they themselves also may be sanctified in truth (ινα ωσιν κα αυτο ηγιασμενο εν αληθεια). Purpose clause with ινα and the periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of αγιαζω (that they may remain sanctified). The act of Christ helps us, but by no means takes the place of personal consecration on the part of the believer.
This high and holy prayer and act of Christ should shame any one who uses the livery of heaven to serve the devil in as does, alas, sometimes happen ( 2Co 11:13-15 ).
Through their word (δια του λογου αυτων). Through the agency of conversation and preaching, blessed privilege open to all believers thus to win men to Christ, but an agency sadly limited by the lives of those who speak in Christ's name.
That they also may be in us (ινα κα αυτο εν ημιν ωσιν). Another purpose clause with ινα and the present active subjunctive of ειμ. The only possible way to have unity among believers is for all of them to find unity first with God in Christ. That the world may believe (ινα ο κοσμος πιστευη). Another purpose clause with ινα and the present active subjunctive of πιστευω, "may keep on believing." Beyond a doubt, strife, wrangling, division are a stumblingblock to the outside world.
And the glory (καγω την δοξαν). Literally, "And I the glory," with emphasis on "I." It is the glory of the Incarnate Word (Bernard), cf. 1:14 ; 2:11 , not the glory of the Eternal Word mentioned in 17:24 . Bengel says: Quanta majestas Christianorum! Then verse 22 repeats the unity prayed for in verse 21 .
That they may be perfected into one (ινα ωσιν τετελειωμενο εις εν). Purpose clause again with ινα (nineteen times in this prayer, this the fifteenth) with the periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of τελειοω (verse 4 ), permanent state, with εις εν (into one) as the goal and final result. That the world may know (ινα γινωσκη). Present active subjunctive of γινωσκω with ινα like the present tense of πιστευω in verse 21 , "that the world may keep on knowing" with the same pregnant phrase "that thou me didst send" (οτ συ με απεστειλας) as in 8 , 25 .
And lovedst them (κα ηγαπησας αυτους). Timeless aorist, but love shown by sending Christ ( Joh 3:16 ) and illustrated and proven by the way Christians love one another.
I will (θελω). Perfect identity of his will with that of the Father in "this moment of spiritual exaltation" (Bernard), though in Gethsemane Jesus distinguishes between his human will and that of the Father ( Mr 14:36 ). Where I am (οπου ειμ εγω). That is heaven, to be with Jesus ( 12:26 ; 13:36 ; 14:3 ; Ro 8:17 ; 2Ti 2:11 f. ). That they may behold (ινα θεωρωσιν).
Another purpose clause with ινα and the present active subjunctive of θεωρεω, "that they may keep on beholding," the endless joy of seeing Jesus "as he is" ( 1Jo 3:2 ) in heaven. Before the foundation of the world (προ καταβολης κοσμου). This same phrase in Eph 1:4 ; 1Pe 1:20 and six other times we have καταβολη κοσμου ( Mt 25:34 ; Lu 11:50 ; Heb 4:3 ; 9:26 ; Re 13:8 ; 17:8 ).
Here we find the same pre-incarnate consciousness of Christ seen in 17:5 .
O righteous Father (Πατηρ δικαιε). Nominative form with πατηρ used as vocative (cf. Joh 20:28 ), but vocative form δικαιε. Then the righteousness of God is appealed to like God's holiness in verse 11 . The world (κα ο κοσμος). The translations usually slur over the κα as untranslatable in English. Westcott suggests "while" as a sort of correlative. It is quite possible that here κα is almost concessive like "though" and δε=yet: "though the world did not know thee, yet I knew thee, and these knew thee."
See Robertson, Grammar , p. 1182 for και--δε--κα and various other uses of κα in John's Gospel.
And will make it known (κα γνωρισω). Future active of γνωριζω, the perpetual mission of Christ through the Spirit ( 16:12 , 25 ; Mt 28:20 ) as he himself has done heretofore ( 17:6 ). Wherewith (εν). Cognate accusative relative with ηγαπησας which has also the accusative of the person με (me).