John 17
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17 Meaning
John 17 is a chapter in the Bible where Jesus is praying to God the Father before his crucifixion. In this particular chapter, Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all future believers. It is a powerful and heartfelt prayer where Jesus expresses his love and desire for unity among his followers. The significance of this prayer is that it reveals Jesus’ deep love for all believers and his desire for them to remain connected to him and to one another.
John 17 Commentary and Explanation of Bible Verses:
John 17 is a remarkable chapter in the Gospel of John, where we find Jesus praying to the Father on our behalf. In this chapter, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers, including us.
In the opening verses of John 17, Jesus prays for Himself, acknowledging that the time has come for Him to be glorified. He speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world began (John 17:5).
As we continue through John 17, we see Jesus transitioning from His personal prayer to intercede for His disciples. He prays for their protection, unity, and sanctification. In verse 11, Jesus asks the Father to “keep them in your name.” This request reminds us of the importance of God’s name, as seen in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9). It emphasizes that our unity and protection come through our connection to the Father.
Verses 17-19 emphasize the disciples’ sanctification through the truth, reminding us of Jesus’ earlier statement in John 14:6, where He declared Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life. The Word of God is the source of our sanctification, cleansing us and setting us apart for His purpose.
As we move further into the chapter, Jesus extends His prayer to include all future believers, including us. In verse 20, He says, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” This powerful intercession connects us to the first disciples, highlighting the continuity of faith throughout generations.
Verses 21-23 emphasizes the significance of unity among believers. Jesus prays that we may all be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not merely external but is rooted in a profound spiritual connection. This theme resonates with Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 1:10, emphasizing the importance of being of the same mind and judgment within the body of Christ.
The chapter concludes with a beautiful prayer for believers to be with Jesus and behold His glory (verse 24). We are reminded of the promise of eternal life and dwelling in the presence of our Savior. This echoes Jesus’ words in John 14:2-3, where He assures us of a place in His Father’s house.
John 17 is a precious chapter that reveals the heart of Jesus in His final moments before His crucifixion. It serves as a reminder of His eternal divinity, the sanctifying power of God’s truth, the importance of unity among believers, and the promise of eternal life with Him. As we reflect on this prayer, may we be encouraged to pursue unity, sanctification, and a deeper connection with our Lord, knowing that He intercedes for us even now at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34).
Also Read: Galatians 3 Meaning and Commentary
Context of John 17
The context of John 17 is essential in understanding the significance of Jesus’ prayer. This chapter takes place during the Last Supper, shortly before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Jesus knows what lies ahead for him, and he takes this opportunity to pray to the Father. It is a deeply intimate moment where Jesus lays bare his heart and reveals his ultimate desire for his disciples and all future believers.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus had been preparing his disciples for the challenges they would face. He knew that soon he would no longer be physically present with them, and so he prays for them, entrusting them into the Father’s care. Jesus also prays for all believers because he knows that his mission extends beyond his immediate followers. He desired unity and oneness among his followers so that the world may know and believe in him.
Bible Study on John 17
In studying John 17, we can learn valuable lessons about the importance of unity, obedience, and our mission as followers of Christ. Jesus’ prayer highlights the significance of remaining faithful to God’s Word, seeking His sanctification, and being a witness to the world.
As believers, we are called to live in unity with one another. Just as Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples, we should strive for unity among believers, regardless of denominational or cultural differences. Our unity should not only be for the sake of our fellowship but also as a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.
Jesus’ emphasis on obedience to God’s Word reminds us of the importance of aligning our lives with His teachings. As we study the Scriptures and seek to understand God’s will, we should strive to live in obedience to His commandments. Obedience not only strengthens our faith but also allows us to experience a deeper intimacy with God.
The concept of sanctification is significant in Jesus’ prayer. He prays for God to set His disciples apart and make them holy. This reminds us that as believers, we are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God. Sanctification is a lifelong process of being transformed into the image of Christ. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are continually being conformed to the character of Jesus.
Jesus’ prayer also reveals His heart for evangelism – for the salvation of all believers, present, and future. We are called to continue the work of the disciples and be witnesses to the world around us. Our unity and love for one another are powerful testimonies of God’s love and can draw others to Him.
Final Thoughts
The prayer of Jesus in John 17 is a beautiful and powerful expression of his love for his disciples and all future believers. Through this prayer, we gain insight into Jesus’ desires for his followers: unity, sanctification, and the experience of eternal life. His prayer also emphasizes the importance of knowing and believing in the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent.
As we reflect on John 17, let us remember the significance of Jesus’ prayer and its relevance to our lives today. Let us strive for unity among believers, living out the words of Jesus in our relationships and interactions with one another. May we seek sanctification through the truth of God’s word, allowing it to transform and purify us. And may we continually cultivate our relationship with God, knowing that eternal life begins with knowing the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.