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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 17:20 mean?

Explanation

John 17:20 is part of a larger section known as Jesus' High Priestly Prayer.

In this particular verse, Jesus expands His prayer beyond His immediate disciples to include all future believers who will come to faith in Him through the apostolic message.

The "these alone" refers to the disciples who were with Jesus at the time.

The "them also which shall believe on me" signifies a forward-looking concern for the yet-to-convert followers who would become part of the Christian faith as a result of the disciples' teachings and testimonies.

At its core, this verse emphasizes the universality of Jesus' mission and His desire for unity and belief among all who follow Him.

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Historical Context

John 17 is part of the Gospel of John, written approximately between AD 90 and AD 110.

This portion of John's Gospel is set during the Last Supper before Jesus' crucifixion.

The historical context is significant because it represents Jesus' final direct guidance and prayer for His followers while still on Earth.

The impending persecution of Christians after Jesus' death, and the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to the Gentile world, are important backdrop elements to understanding this verse.

Theological Insights

This verse is often cited in discussions about ecclesiology, the study of the church.

From a Christological perspective, it highlights Jesus' divine foresight and His role as intercessor. It brings to light the belief that the Church, the body of Christ, is made up of all who believe in Jesus' teachings, regardless of time or location.

The verse can also be seen through the lens of soteriology, as it reflects the inclusive nature of salvation offered through belief in Jesus.

Practical Applications

John 17:20 can inspire believers to embrace a sense of unity and purpose within the wider Christian community.

It can encourage Christians to value the importance of spreading their faith through words and actions, in recognition that their testimony can lead others to belief.

It also serves as a reminder that prayer should not be self-centered but should extend to the well-being and faith of others.

Cross-References

John 10:16: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
2 Timothy 2:10: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

Language Study

The Greek term for "believe" in this verse is πιστεύων (pisteuōn), which carries the meaning of placing trust or faith in someone.

The term for "word" is λόγος (logos), which aside from the literal word, also represents the idea or philosophy behind the message.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In this verse, Christianity's universal call contrasts with the more culturally-bound or ethnically-limited views of some other ancient religions.

Many ancient mythologies and religions were specific to city-states or people groups, whereas the message of Jesus is presented as a universal truth relevant for all humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself doesn't offer scientific content, modern efforts to understand the spread of religious beliefs and the factors influencing conversion may intersect with the themes here.

Concepts from cultural anthropology, sociology, and psychology regarding how and why people adopt new beliefs could be relevant in analyzing this verse's implications in terms of the spread of Christianity.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars emphasize the prayer in John 17:20 as a fundamental basis for Christian unity.

Commentators like Matthew Henry interpret this passage as reflective of Jesus' love and inclusive desire for all future believers.

In contrast, others, like William Barclay, remind readers of the historical context, part of a farewell discourse, and see in this prayer a poignant mindfulness of a world that would often be hostile to Jesus' followers.

John 17

John 17

What does John 17:20 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 17:20 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?