What does John 17:5 mean?

Explanation

John 17:5 contains Jesus' prayer to the Father shortly before His crucifixion.

In this verse, Jesus is communicating his desire to be restored to the glory he possessed alongside God before the foundation of the world.

Literally, it suggests a pre-incarnate existence for Jesus, indicating that he existed before creation itself and shared in divine glory.

Deeper meanings point to the divine pre-existence of Christ, His equality with God, and the relationship within the Trinity.

The verse speaks to the theme of divine glory, which is a weighty presence or manifestation of God.

Historical Context

John 17 is part of a larger section of the Gospel of John known as the Farewell Discourse (chapters 14-17) that takes place after the Last Supper and before Jesus' arrest.

It occurred in the context of first-century Judea under Roman occupation, where Jewish expectations for a Messiah were intertwined with hope for political liberation.

However, Jesus' mission was spiritual salvation, depicted here as he approaches his sacrificial death.

The book of John was likely composed at the end of the first century when early Christians were grappling with theological questions about the identity of Jesus and his relationship to God.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions yield various theological insights regarding this verse.

From a Trinitarian standpoint, it's cited as evidence of Jesus' divine nature and pre-existence.

It may also lead to discussions about the economic and immanent Trinity, indicating the different roles within the Godhead in salvation history versus their eternal co-existence.

Non-Trinitarian perspectives might interpret this verse metaphorically or argue that Jesus is speaking from his position as the pre-eminent creature rather than as God Himself.

Practical Applications

In daily life, believers can take from John 17:5 an example of Jesus' humility and his pursuit of God's glory rather than his own. It may serve as a call to Christians to prioritize divine purpose over personal ambition.

Moreover, this acknowledgment of a grander existence before human life can prompt believers to reflect on their own eternal destiny and relationship with God.

Cross-References

• Philippians 2:6: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
• Colossians 1:16-17: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
• John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God."

• John 8:58: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Language Study

The original Greek text uses crucial terms like "doxazo" (δόξασόν, glorify), which has the connotation of honoring or bestowing splendor, and "para" (παρά, with), which signifies proximity and association.

When Jesus speaks about the "glory which I had with thee," the tense of "had" (εἶχον) is the imperfect, indicating a continuous state in the past, reinforcing his pre-existence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this Christian perspective with other ancient myths, such as Greek mythology, similarities arise in the stories of gods descending to the earth.

However, the Christian narrative uniquely centers on self-sacrifice and redemption rather than capricious deity behavior.

In some strands of Judaism, such as Kabbalistic thought, there's an understanding of divine light ("Or Ein Sof") which mirrors the Christian concept of glory, albeit without a personal God becoming incarnate.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science has little to say about the spiritual concept of divine glory and pre-existence, as these concepts are metaphysical and beyond empirical testing.

However, the mention of "before the world was" could be poetically parallel to scientific understanding of the universe's beginning, as in the Big Bang theory.

The acknowledgement of the universe having a starting point is agreed upon in both spiritual and scientific realms, though the causality and nature of that beginning are interpreted differently.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries reflect on John 17:5 highlighting its theological depth.

The early church fathers like Augustine saw this passage as evidence of Christ's divinity and his eternal generation from the Father.

Contemporary scholars like D.A.

Carson often discuss its implications for understanding the interrelationships within the Trinity.

Conservative commentators focus on the pre-existence of Christ as a divine person, while liberal scholars might place more emphasis on the role of the historical Jesus and the development of early Christian theology.

The consensus among Christian scholars tends to recognize this verse as significant for affirming the deity of Christ and His glory in the salvific plan of God.