PrevJohn 17:11Next

John 17

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:

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

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.

Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

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.

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

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.

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.

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

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.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

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.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

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.

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.

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

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.

What does John 17:11 mean?

Explanation

John 17:11 is a part of Jesus' farewell prayer during the Last Supper with His disciples before His crucifixion.

In this verse, Jesus is praying to His Father concerning His disciples.

He acknowledges that He is about to leave the world and return to His Father, but His disciples are to remain.

His prayer is for their protection by the power of God's name, the same Divine power that sustained Jesus.

His desire is that the disciples would be united as one, reflecting the unity that exists between Jesus and the Father.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This prayer of Jesus, sometimes referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, is situated in the context of the Last Supper as described in the Gospel of John.

The Last Supper was a Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples just before He was arrested and subsequently crucified.

It would have occurred around 30-33 A.D.

The High Priestly Prayer is unique to John's Gospel and provides deep theological insights into the mind and heart of Christ shortly before His passion.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian perspective, the request for the disciples to be one as Jesus and the Father are one can be seen as an invitation into the divine fellowship of the Trinity.

Additionally, the prayer for unity reflects ecclesiology, showing God's desire for the church to be united.

The concept of being kept in God's name suggests divine ownership and the believers' identity being anchored in God Himself.

Practical Applications

In daily life, believers are called to strive for unity within the body of Christ, reflecting the unity of the Father and the Son.

This pursuit involves practicing love, humility, selflessness, and patience.

It also affirms the need for divine protection from worldly influences and spiritual adversity, highlighting the importance of prayer for one another.

Cross-References

John 10:30 - "I and my Father are one."
John 17:21-23 - "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us..."
John 16:28 - "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words such as "keep" (τηρήσῃς - tērēsēis) indicate guarding or preserving.

"Name" (ὄνομα - onoma) represents not just a title but the character and authority of God.

"Given me" (δέδωκάς μοι - dedōkas moi) underscores the idea that the disciples are gifts from the Father to the Son.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of divine protection and unity can be contrasted with other ancient practices and religions where gods often acted capriciously and did not seek unity among their followers.

Additionally, the concept of unity in diversity within the Christian Trinity can be compared to unity concepts found in other religious philosophies and myths that emphasize harmony among various entities or forces.

Scientific Perspectives

While most of this verse’s content does not directly intersect with scientific concepts, modern psychological and social sciences explore the benefits of communal unity and the detrimental effects of division within groups.

This can relate to the spiritual and psychological well-being that may result from a community united in purpose.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have offered various interpretations of this verse.

Many emphasize the pastoral heart of Jesus as He prays for His disciples, highlighting His desire for their protection and unity after His departure.

This reflects an understanding of God as a caring protector.

Others focus on the ontological unity between the Father and the Son as a model for Christian unity, stressing the verse’s ecclesiological significance.

John 17

John 17

What does John 17:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 17:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?