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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 17:8 mean?

Explanation

John 17:8 focuses on a moment within Jesus' prayer to the Father, which is part of a larger section known as the High Priestly Prayer.

In this verse, Jesus testifies that His disciples have accepted the teachings He conveyed to them as coming directly from God the Father. He affirms that the disciples have understood and believed the essential truth that Jesus was sent by the Father and has come into the world from Him.

The verse emphasizes belief and the reception of divine words, which are indicative of the relationship between Jesus, His disciples, and God the Father.

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Historical Context

The High Priestly Prayer is found in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17.

This chapter is part of the so-called 'Farewell Discourse' which spans from John 14 to 17, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His impending departure (His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension).

This particular prayer is believed to have been spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, before His betrayal and arrest.

The historical setting was in Jerusalem during the time of the Roman occupation, around 30-33 A.D.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives may focus on various aspects of this verse:

Orthodox/Catholic View: Emphasizes that the Church is the keeper of the divine words given by Jesus and transmitted through apostolic succession.
Protestant View: Often stresses the authority of Scripture as the words given by Jesus and the importance of personal faith in Jesus as the one sent by the Father.
Liberal Theology: May interpret this verse as a metaphor for the spiritual oneness of the community rather than a literal sending from the Father.

Practical Applications

Believers can draw from this verse to: 1.

Recognize the importance of Scripture as the divinely inspired words of God. 2.

Fortify their faith in Jesus as the one sent from the Father to redeem humanity. 3.

Share their faith with others, emphasizing the historical belief in Jesus' divine origin and mission.

Cross-References

John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 8:42: "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."

Language Study

In this verse, key Greek terms include:

"given" (dedōka): Aorist indicative form implying a completed action of giving.
"words" (rhēmata): The sayings or teachings, indicating the specific messages Jesus delivered.
"received" (elabon): Aorist indicative suggesting a past, definitive reception of those teachings by the disciples.
"known surely" (egnōkan alēthōs): Reflects a deep understanding or realization of the truth.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the ancient world, the belief in a divine being providing words or law to humanity is not unique to Christianity.

For example:

Judaism: Moses received the Torah from God on Mount Sinai.
Islam: Prophet Muhammad received the Quran through the angel Gabriel.
Greek Mythology: Oracles were thought to convey messages from the gods to people.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly address any scientific concepts, in modern times, the integration of faith and science could lead to discussions on the nature of belief, how it is processed in the mind, and the sociological effects of shared beliefs in forming communities and shaping worldviews.

Commentaries

Commentators offer insights into this verse:

Matthew Henry: Notes Jesus' role as the mediator, faithfully delivering the Father's words to the disciples.
Albert Barnes: Emphasizes the disciples' faith in Christ's divine mission.
William Barclay: Suggests that the real test of any teaching is whether it brings a person nearer to God, as Jesus' words did for His disciples.

John 17

John 17

What does John 17:8 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 17:8 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?