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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 17:22 mean?

Explanation

John 17:22 encapsulates part of Jesus's prayer to God the Father on behalf of His disciples, specifically in the context of unity.

In this verse, Jesus is acknowledging the glory that God has given Him and, in turn, Jesus has given that same glory to His followers.

The purpose of this imparting of glory is so that the disciples may be one, as Jesus and the Father are one.

The literal meaning focuses on the sharing of divine glory with believers, inspiring unity among them.

The deeper meaning suggests a profound connection among believers mirroring the divine unity within the Godhead.

It speaks to the relationship that Jesus' followers ought to have with each other, a oneness founded on the divine nature and love they share, emulating the unity between the Father and the Son.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 17 is commonly known as the High Priestly Prayer, which is part of the narrative within the Gospel of John, often dated to the late first century AD. This chapter contains Jesus’ extended prayer, which occurs immediately before His betrayal and subsequent crucifixion.

It is set during the Last Supper, a Passover meal Jesus shares with His disciples.

The cultural and historical context is significant, it takes place in a period of anticipation, where the Jewish people were awaiting a Messiah, and there were various factions and beliefs within Judaism about what this would entail.

Jesus' prayer here reflects His mission to reveal the Father and bring about redemption through His soon-to-come sacrifice.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer varied insights into this verse:

Trinitarian Theology: It underscores the unity and inter-relationship of the persons of the Godhead, with implications for the church's unity.
Soteriology: It reflects on the glorification of believers as part of the salvation experience, redeemed humanity is brought into the divine relationship.
Ecclesiology: It stresses the ideal for church unity and mutual indwelling, akin to Christ’s indwelling in the believer.
Eschatology: Some see this glory as not only a present reality but also a future fulfillment in the eschaton when Christ returns and perfects the unity of the church.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire several practical applications in daily life:

Fostering Unity: Believers can strive to embody oneness in their communities, breaking down barriers of division.
Reflecting Christ's Love: Christians are encouraged to love each other in a manner that reflects the selfless love within the Trinity.
Pursuing Holiness: The glory that Jesus refers to can be understood as sanctification, prompting followers to live lives that are set apart.
Encouragement in Trials: In the context of suffering or persecution, believers can find solace in their shared glory and unity with Christ.

Cross-References

John 10:30: "I and my Father are one."
John 17:21: "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."
1 Corinthians 1:10: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
Ephesians 4:3: "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language include:

Glory (δόξαν - doxan): This term often refers to the splendor, luminosity, or majesty that is characteristic of God, and sometimes signifies the honor bestowed by God.
Given (δέδωκα - dedōka): A perfect tense verb suggesting a completed action with ongoing effects; in this case, the bestowal of glory.
They may be one (ἓν ὦσιν - hen ōsin): This phrase indicates Jesus' desire for His followers to experience a unity that is complete and enduring.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greek mythology, the sharing of divine attributes with humans usually occurs through acts of favor or heroism.
Hinduism's concept of Brahman emphasizes a mystical unity of all existence, which has some superficial resemblance to the unity spoken of in John 17:22.
In Buddhism, the idea of interconnectedness can be paralleled to Jesus' words; however, unlike John 17:22, it lacks a personal divine aspect.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 17:22 does not directly engage with scientific concepts, modern psychology and sociology study unity and human connection.

They emphasize the importance of community and shared values for human well-being, which could be seen as reflecting, in a secular sense, the spiritual principles of unity in this verse.

commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary: Emphasizes the believer's honor and privilege in being brought into a oneness with Christ and with each other.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible: Highlights the union of the Father and the Son as a model of unity among Christians, rather than a literal absorption into deity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Focuses on the high nature of Christian calling, as the divine glory that Christ possesses is also given to His people.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: Suggests the glory given to the disciples meant the Gospel, spiritual gifts, and the presence of the Spirit, in order to promote unity and the same mind among believers.

John 17

John 17

What does John 17:22 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 17:22 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?