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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 17:2 mean?

Explanation

John 17:2 is part of Jesus Christ's prayer to God the Father before His crucifixion, and it encapsulates a profound aspect of Christian doctrine.

The verse speaks of the authority ("power") granted to Jesus over all humanity ("all flesh"), with the purpose that He might grant eternal life to those the Father has given Him.

The reference to "eternal life" aligns with the central Christian belief in salvation and life after death through Christ.

The phrase "as many as thou hast given him" suggests a particular group chosen by the Father to receive this gift. This discernment raises questions about divine election and predestination as understood in different Christian traditions.

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Historical Context

This verse is a segment of the "High Priestly Prayer," found in John 17, which is unique to the Gospel of John.

This prayer is believed to have occurred after the Last Supper, during the final hours before Jesus' arrest.

The Gospel of John was written against the backdrop of early Christian communities in conflict with Jewish religious authorities and grappling with the departure of Jesus from the world.

The Johannine context presents a Christological emphasis on Jesus' divinity and His unique role in the salvation of mankind.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, various perspectives view this verse differently:

Orthodox and Catholic traditions may see this as affirmation of the divinity of Christ and the mystery of the Trinity.
Calvinist interpretation often includes the understanding of predestination where God elects individuals to salvation.
Arminianism challenges the predestination view and leans towards free will in the acceptance of salvation.
Universalism might interpret "all flesh" more inclusively, suggesting a potential for universal salvation through Christ.

The notion of eternal life here is also central to Christian eschatology, informing beliefs about life after death and the end times.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can be a source of comfort and assurance for Christians, emphasizing the belief in Christ's power to offer eternal life. It fosters a sense of purpose and identity, knowing they are part of a distinct group given to Christ by the Father.

Furthermore, it can encourage believers to live righteously, reflecting on the responsibility that comes with the gift of eternal life and to share the Christian message with others.

Cross-References

John 6:37 ("All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.")
John 10:28-29 ("And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.")
Matthew 28:18 ("And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.")
Ephesians 1:4-5 ("According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.")

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek language of this verse include:

"power" (Greek: ἐξουσίαν, exousian): meaning authority or dominion.
"flesh" (Greek: σάρκα, sarka): referring to all humanity or mankind.
"eternal life" (Greek: ζωὴν αἰώνιον, zōēn aiōnion): meaning life everlasting or age-enduring life.
"given" (Greek: δέδωκας, dedōkas): a perfect tense verb indicating an action completed in the past with present implications.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse with other ancient myths and religions, one might find parallels in the concept of divine beings bestowing life or favor upon humanity. For example, in various pagan traditions, gods grant boons or immortality to heroes or favored individuals.

However, the Christian concept differs in its monotheistic framework and in the idea of salvation offered to the many rather than the few.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives largely do not intersect directly with the theological claims of this verse.

Science can study the psychological and sociological effects of religious beliefs, but the empirical methods do not address supernatural claims of eternal life or divine authority.

The scientific understanding of life is based on observable phenomena and does not extend to metaphysical concepts of eternity.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered insights into John 17:2:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the mediatorial role of Christ and God's sovereignty in salvation.
The Geneva Study Bible notes the distinction between having power over all flesh and giving eternal life specifically to those given by the Father.
William Barclay's Commentary could highlight the sacrificial context of the prayer, given that Jesus was about to face His crucifixion.
The New American Commentary discusses the themes of predestination and election, underscoring that this verse supports the idea of a chosen people as well as Jesus' role as the giver of eternal life.

John 17

John 17

What does John 17:2 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 17:2 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?