1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Overview of John Chapter 17
John Chapter 17 is often referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. This chapter is significant as it captures the intimate moment between Jesus and the Father just before His crucifixion. It consists of three main sections: Jesus’ prayer for Himself, His prayer for His disciples, and His prayer for all believers. The chapter emphasizes themes of unity, glory, and eternal life.
Structure of the Chapter
- Jesus Prays for Himself (Verses 1-5)
- Jesus acknowledges His impending crucifixion and asks the Father to glorify Him.
- He speaks of the authority given to Him over all flesh to grant eternal life.
- Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
- Jesus Prays for His Disciples (Verses 6-19)
- Jesus expresses gratitude for the disciples whom the Father has given Him.
- He highlights the importance of His teachings and the disciples’ acceptance of them.
- Jesus prays for their protection and unity, emphasizing their mission in the world.
- He asks the Father to sanctify them in the truth, which is His word.
- Jesus Prays for All Believers (Verses 20-26)
- Jesus extends His prayer beyond the immediate disciples to all future believers.
- He emphasizes the desire for unity among believers, mirroring the unity He shares with the Father.
- Jesus desires that believers experience His glory and love, which the Father has given Him.
Thematic Analysis
- Glory
Throughout the chapter, the theme of glory is prominent. Jesus seeks to be glorified so that He may glorify the Father. This reciprocal glorification underscores the divine relationship within the Trinity.
- Unity
Jesus’ prayer for unity among His followers is a central theme. He desires that they be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is crucial for the witness of the church to the world.
- Eternal Life
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Himself. This relational aspect of eternal life emphasizes that it is not merely a future promise but a present reality for believers.
- Sanctification
Jesus’ request for the sanctification of His disciples highlights the process of being set apart for God’s purposes. He ties this sanctification to the truth of His word.
Theological Implications
- Intercession of Christ
This chapter illustrates the intercessory role of Christ, as He prays for His followers, showing His care and concern for their spiritual well-being.
- Nature of God
Jesus reveals the nature of God as relational and unified. The prayer reflects the intimate relationship within the Trinity and invites believers into that relationship.
- Mission of the Church
The prayer emphasizes the mission of the church to continue the work of Christ in the world, grounded in unity and truth.
Conclusion
John Chapter 17 serves as a profound theological and pastoral reflection on the nature of Jesus’ mission, the importance of unity among believers, and the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. It offers deep insights into the Christian faith and the call to live in accordance with the truth of God’s word.
