Prayer for the Son 1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2For You granted Him authority over all people,a so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. Prayer for the Disciples 6I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me,b so that they may be one as We are one. 12While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.c 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. Prayer for All Believers 20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. 24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.” Footnotes: 2 a Literally all flesh 11 b Literally Your name, which You gave Me; TR Your name. These You have given Me; similarly in verse 12 15 c Or from evil Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub  John 17 Summary Prayers for the Son, Disciples, and BelieversVerses 1–5 – Glory Shared between Father and Son Verses 6–10 – The Father’s Name Revealed to Chosen Disciples Verses 11–13 – Protection and Joy in the Father’s Name Verses 14–16 – Not of the World, Yet Still in It Verses 17–19 – Sanctified in Truth and Sent Verses 20–23 – Unity for Future Believers Verses 24–26 – Eternal Fellowship and Ongoing Revelation John 17 offers an intimate look at the depth of Jesus' prayer life and His concern for believers. Here, Jesus prays to God the Father, demonstrating His divine nature and His unity with the Father. This chapter is often called "The High Priestly Prayer," as it captures Jesus' heartfelt intercession for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. Historical Setting John 17 is prayed late on the night Jesus was betrayed, very likely in the Upper Room or as the group walked toward Gethsemane. The Passover meal has concluded (John 13), Judas has left to arrange the arrest, and Jesus has delivered His farewell teaching (John 14–16). This chapter is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus, sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer because it resembles the Old Testament priest entering the Holy of Holies on behalf of the people (Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 16). Structure and Flow 1. Verses 1–5: Jesus prays concerning Himself. 2. Verses 6–19: Jesus prays for the eleven disciples. 3. Verses 20–26: Jesus prays for all future believers. The movement is outward—glory, protection, mission—mirroring concentric circles of concern. Key Words and Phrases • Glory (doxa): Appears 8 times. Points to God’s splendor shining through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (John 1:14). • Name (onoma): Represents God’s revealed character (Exodus 34:5-7). • World (kosmos): The ordered system opposed to God (1 John 2:15-17). • Give/Given: Indicates every gift originates with the Father (James 1:17). • One/Unity: Expresses God’s nature and the intended witness of believers (Ephesians 4:3–6). Jesus’ Use of “Glory” • Pre-existence: “the glory I had with You before the world existed” (17:5) links back to John 1:1-3. • Cross and Resurrection: The “hour” (v. 1) means the cross, yet Jesus views it as glorification, not defeat (John 12:23-24). • Shared Glory: Believers receive a share (v. 22), echoing Romans 8:30. Revealing the Father’s Name • Name as Character: To “manifest Your name” (v. 6) means making God’s attributes tangible (Psalm 9:10). • Jesus Fulfills Exodus: God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM” (Exodus 3:14); Jesus’ seven “I am” statements (John 6:35; 8:12; etc.) complete that revelation. • Ongoing Revelation: “I will continue to make it known” (v. 26) anticipates the Spirit’s teaching (John 16:13). Protection from the Evil One • Jesus guarded the disciples physically and spiritually (v. 12). • “Keep them from the evil one” (v. 15) parallels the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13). • Spiritual Armor: Paul echoes this idea in Ephesians 6:10-18. Sanctification in Truth • Definition: To be set apart for God’s purposes. • Means: “Your word is truth” (v. 17). Scripture is the Father’s tool for shaping holy people (Psalm 119:9, 105). • Model: Jesus “consecrates” Himself (v. 19) by fully yielding to the cross, showing that true holiness is lived out, not merely professed. Mission and Sending • Parallel Sending: “As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them” (v. 18). Compare John 20:21. • Authority: Authority flows from Father to Son (Matthew 28:18) and then to believers (Luke 10:19). Unity Among Believers • Purpose: “so that the world may believe” (v. 21). Unity is evangelistic. • Nature: Reflects the inner relationship of Father and Son—relational, loving, self-giving. • Practiced: Acts 2:42-47 demonstrates early church unity; Paul urges the same in Philippians 2:1-4. Desire for Eternal Fellowship • Jesus wants believers to “behold My glory” (v. 24). The ultimate answer will be in the New Jerusalem where “they will see His face” (Revelation 22:4). • Love Before Creation: “You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (v. 24) emphasizes love as the oldest reality (1 John 4:8). Archaeological and Cultural Insights • Upper Room Tradition: A first-century large upper chamber in Jerusalem’s western hill, identified by early pilgrims, fits the description of a guest room owned by a well-to-do disciple. • Passover Context: Families reclined on cushions; four cups of wine were shared. Jesus likely prayed John 17 after the fourth cup (the “cup of praise”), which magnifies the themes of glory and deliverance. • Early Manuscripts: Papyrus 66 and Papyrus 75 (AD 175–225) contain John 17 almost word-for-word with modern Bibles, reinforcing textual reliability. Connections to the Old Testament • High Priestly Parallel: Like Aaron bearing names of tribes on his breastplate (Exodus 28:29), Jesus carries His people before the Father. • Covenant Love: “I have loved them even as You have loved Me” (v. 23) echoes God’s steadfast love (hesed) for Israel (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Sanctification: Numbers 6:24-26 sets a priestly blessing pattern that Jesus fulfills by speaking blessing over His disciples. Connections to the New Testament • Hebrews 7:25: Jesus “always lives to intercede,” confirming John 17’s prayer continues in heaven. • 1 Peter 2:9: Believers are a “royal priesthood,” mirroring Jesus’ sanctification and mission. • Revelation 5:9-10: The redeemed from every nation affirm Jesus’ prayer for worldwide unity and glory. Literary Observations • Circular Movement: The verbs “give” and “glorify” rotate between Father and Son, underscoring mutual generosity. • Climactic Petition: The prayer ends not with a formal “Amen” but with a declaration of ongoing revelation (v. 26), signaling the account continues into the passion narrative. • Repetition for Emphasis: Words like “world” (18 times) and “believe” (4 times) drive the message home. Practical Application • Approach God Confidently: Jesus’ intimacy with the Father models candid, bold prayer (Hebrews 4:16). • Embrace Holiness: Real holiness is alignment with God’s word and willingness to be sent. • Pursue Unity: Demonstrating oneness in families and congregations validates the gospel to observers. • Live on Mission: Just as the Father sent Jesus, believers are commissioned to carry light into dark places. • Anticipate Glory: Present hardships are framed by the promise of seeing Christ’s glory forever (2 Corinthians 4:17). Outline for Teaching or Personal Study 1. Glory Shared (1–5) – Jesus looks up, not around. 2. Name Revealed (6–10) – Identity and ownership. 3. Protection Prayed (11–16) – Kept in the Father’s name. 4. Truth and Mission (17–19) – Set apart to be sent. 5. Unity for Witness (20–23) – Credible community. 6. Eternal Presence (24–26) – Love that began before time. Connections to Additional Scriptures Unity in the Body of Christ Ephesians 4:3-6 emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity in the Spirit. Sanctification through the Word Psalm 119:105 highlights the guiding power of God's Word. Eternal Life through Knowing God Philippians 3:10 expresses the desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Teaching Points Jesus' Prayer for Himself (John 17:1-5)Jesus begins by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. This mutual glorification highlights the divine relationship and purpose of Jesus' mission. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent (John 17:3). Eternal life is defined as knowing God and Jesus intimately. Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:6-19) Jesus acknowledges that His disciples have kept God's word and prays for their protection from the evil one. He asks for their sanctification through the truth, stating, Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth (John 17:17). Jesus' Prayer for All Believers (John 17:20-26) Jesus extends His prayer to all future believers, emphasizing unity: that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You (John 17:21). He desires that believers experience the same love and unity that exists between Him and the Father. Practical Applications Pursue Intimacy with GodSeek to know God and Jesus more deeply, as this is the essence of eternal life. Embrace Unity Strive for unity within the body of Christ, reflecting the oneness that Jesus prayed for. Live in Truth Allow God's Word to sanctify and guide your life, recognizing it as the ultimate truth. Pray for Protection Regularly pray for protection from spiritual attacks, just as Jesus prayed for His disciples. People 1. Jesus ChristJesus is the central figure in this chapter, offering a prayer to the Father. He speaks of His mission, the glory He shares with the Father, and His desire for unity among His followers. In the original Greek, "Jesus" (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." 2. God the Father Referred to simply as "Father" throughout the chapter, God the Father is the one to whom Jesus directs His prayer. The Greek word used is "Πατήρ" (Patēr), emphasizing the intimate and relational aspect of God as Father. 3. The Disciples Jesus prays specifically for His disciples, those whom the Father has given Him. He asks for their protection and sanctification. The term "disciples" (μαθηταί, mathētai) in Greek refers to learners or followers, highlighting their role as students of Jesus. 4. The World While not a person, "the world" is mentioned as the realm that is distinct from the followers of Jesus. Jesus prays for His disciples' protection from the evil in the world. The Greek term "κόσμος" (kosmos) is used, often referring to the secular world system opposed to God. 5. Future Believers Jesus extends His prayer to include all who will believe in Him through the message of the disciples. This group is not named individually but is significant as it encompasses all future Christians. The Greek phrase "πιστεύω" (pisteuō) is used, meaning "to believe" or "to have faith." Places John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, is a chapter in the New Testament where Jesus prays to the Father. In this chapter, there are no specific geographical places mentioned. Instead, the focus is on spiritual themes and Jesus' relationship with the Father and His disciples. Therefore, a numbered list of physical places is not applicable to this chapter. However, if you are interested in a thematic or conceptual analysis, I can provide insights into the spiritual "places" or themes discussed in John 17. Let me know if you would like that information!Events 1. Jesus Prays for Himself (John 17:1-5)Jesus begins His prayer by addressing the Father, asking to be glorified so that He may glorify the Father. He acknowledges the authority given to Him over all flesh to grant eternal life. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. He speaks of having glorified the Father on earth and completing the work given to Him. 2. Jesus Prays for His Disciples (John 17:6-19) Jesus prays specifically for His disciples, whom He has revealed the Father’s name to. He acknowledges that they have kept the word and believed that He came from the Father. Jesus asks for their protection in the Father’s name, unity, and joy. He prays for their sanctification by the truth, which is the word of God. The Greek word for "sanctify" (ἁγιάζω, hagiazō) implies setting apart for holy purposes. 3. Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-26) Jesus extends His prayer to all who will believe in Him through the disciples' message. He prays for unity among all believers, just as He is one with the Father. This unity is meant to be a testimony to the world of Jesus’ divine mission. Jesus desires that believers be with Him to see His glory, which the Father has given Him. He concludes by expressing His desire for the love of the Father to be in them and for Himself to be in them. Topics 1. Jesus Prays for Himself (John 17:1-5)Jesus begins His prayer by addressing the Father, asking to be glorified so that He may glorify the Father. This section emphasizes the pre-existence and divine mission of Jesus, as He speaks of the glory He shared with the Father "before the world existed" (John 17:5). The Greek word for "glory" (δόξα, doxa) is significant, indicating honor and divine majesty. 2. Jesus Prays for His Disciples (John 17:6-19) Jesus shifts His focus to His disciples, praying for their protection and sanctification. He acknowledges that they have kept His word and prays for their unity and joy. The term "sanctify" (ἁγιάζω, hagiazō) in verse 17, meaning to set apart for holy purposes, underscores the call for the disciples to be distinct from the world. 3. Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-26) Jesus extends His prayer to all future believers, emphasizing unity among them. He prays that they may be one, just as He and the Father are one, highlighting the importance of unity in the body of Christ. The Greek word for "one" (ἕν, hen) in verse 21 signifies a profound spiritual unity and oneness in purpose and mission. Each section of this chapter reflects Jesus' deep intercessory prayer, revealing His heart for His mission, His disciples, and all who would come to believe in Him through their message. Themes 1. Glorification of the Son and the FatherJesus begins His prayer by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. This mutual glorification highlights the divine relationship and purpose. ^“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.”^ (John 17:1) The Greek word for "glorify" (δοξάζω, doxazō) implies honoring and exalting, reflecting the divine nature and mission of Jesus. 2. Eternal Life through Knowing God Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. This emphasizes the relational aspect of salvation. ^“Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”^ (John 17:3) The Greek word for "know" (γινώσκω, ginōskō) suggests an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual understanding. 3. Completion of Jesus’ Earthly Mission Jesus speaks of having completed the work given to Him by the Father, underscoring His obedience and fulfillment of His earthly mission. ^“I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.”^ (John 17:4) The term "accomplishing" (τελειόω, teleioō) in Greek conveys the idea of bringing to completion or perfection. 4. Revelation of God’s Name Jesus has revealed the Father’s name to His disciples, indicating the disclosure of God’s character and nature. ^“I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world.”^ (John 17:6) In Hebrew thought, a name represents the essence and authority of a person, thus revealing God’s name signifies making His nature known. 5. Unity Among Believers Jesus prays for the unity of His followers, reflecting the unity between the Father and the Son. This unity is a testimony to the world of Jesus’ divine mission. ^“Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.”^ (John 17:11) The Greek word for "one" (ἕν, hen) emphasizes singularity and unity in purpose and essence. 6. Protection from the Evil One Jesus asks for the protection of His disciples from the evil one, highlighting the spiritual battle and the need for divine safeguarding. ^“I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.”^ (John 17:15) The Greek term for "keep" (τηρέω, tēreō) implies guarding or preserving. 7. Sanctification through Truth Jesus prays for the sanctification of His disciples through the truth, which is God’s word. This theme underscores the transformative power of divine truth. ^“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”^ (John 17:17) The Greek word for "sanctify" (ἁγιάζω, hagiazō) means to set apart for holy purposes. 8. Mission of the Disciples Jesus sends His disciples into the world just as the Father sent Him, indicating the continuation of His mission through them. ^“As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world.”^ (John 17:18) The Greek verb "sent" (ἀποστέλλω, apostellō) conveys the idea of being commissioned with authority. 9. Future Believers and Unity Jesus extends His prayer to future believers, emphasizing the importance of unity among all who will come to faith through the disciples’ message. ^“I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message.”^ (John 17:20) This theme highlights the ongoing impact of the disciples’ witness and the inclusive nature of Jesus’ prayer. 10. The Love of the Father and the Son Jesus concludes by expressing the desire for believers to experience the love that exists between the Father and the Son, which is to be in them. ^“I have made Your name known to them, and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”^ (John 17:26) The Greek word for "love" (ἀγάπη, agapē) denotes selfless, sacrificial love, central to the Christian faith. Answering Tough Questions 1. In John 17:5, how can Jesus claim to share glory “before the world existed” if science shows the universe had a singular origin billions of years ago? Bible Study Discussion Questions 1. What do we learn about Jesus' relationship with God the Father in this prayer? 2. What does Jesus' prayer for His disciples reveal about His love and concern for them? 3. How can we apply Jesus' prayer for unity among believers to our relationships in the church today? 4. What does Jesus' prayer for future believers tell us about His vision for the church? 5. How does Jesus' request for the Father to "glorify your Son" challenge our understanding of glory? 6. How does this chapter influence your perspective on the purpose and power of prayer? 7. How does Jesus define "eternal life" in His prayer? 8. In what ways does Jesus' prayer inspire you to pray for others in your life? 9. What does it mean to be "sanctified by the truth" as Jesus prays for His disciples? 10. How does Jesus' prayer for His own glory impact your understanding of His mission? 11. How should the unity Jesus prays for among believers affect our behavior within the Christian community? 12. How does Jesus' concern for His disciples' protection apply to us as believers today? 13. How can we emulate Jesus' model of intercessory prayer in our own prayer lives? 14. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17 impact your understanding of your identity as a believer? 15. In the face of trials or hardships, how does knowing Jesus prayed for you give you comfort or strength? 16. How should Jesus' desire for unity among believers influence our attitudes toward church divisions or denominational differences? 17. How does Jesus' statement about His authority over all people affect your view of His divinity? 18. How does knowing Jesus prayed for future believers to witness His glory inspire your hope for eternal life? 19. In what ways does Jesus' prayer reveal the heart of His mission on earth? 20. How can we live out the unity Jesus prayed for in our daily interactions with other believers? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions |
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