How does John 17:12 connect with the prophecy of the "son of destruction"? John 17:12 in Focus “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by Your name, the name You gave Me. None has been lost except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” (John 17:12) Who Is the “Son of Destruction”? • The phrase in Greek is huios tēs apōleias—“a son marked out for ruin.” • In this context it points to Judas Iscariot, the only disciple lost. • The same wording appears in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 for the future Antichrist, hinting at a shared destiny of utter judgment for both. Scriptures Fulfilled by Judas Jesus says Judas’s betrayal happened “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” Several Old Testament passages line up: • Psalm 41:9 — “Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” • Psalm 69:25 — “May their place be deserted; may there be no one to dwell in their tents.” • Psalm 109:8 — “May his days be few; may another take his position.” • Zechariah 11:12–13 — the thirty pieces of silver prophecy (see Matthew 27:9–10). Each text foretells betrayal, abandonment, or the replacement of a faithless companion—all fulfilled in Judas. Linking John 17:12 and Prophecy • Jesus treats Judas’s loss as predetermined by Scripture, not as an accident. • The title “son of destruction” shows Judas was headed for judgment in the divine plan. • By singling him out, Jesus underscores His perfect guardianship over the other eleven; none of them was lost. • Acts 1:16–20 connects Psalm 69 and Psalm 109 directly to Judas, confirming the apostolic understanding of the fulfillment. Why the Same Title in 2 Thessalonians 2:3? • Paul calls the end-time rebel “the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction.” • Judas serves as a historical preview of ultimate apostasy: intimate association with God’s people yet final, willful rebellion. • Both figures: – Are indwelt or driven by Satan (Luke 22:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9). – Appear within the covenant community before turning against it. – End in decisive, divinely decreed ruin. Key Takeaways • John 17:12 anchors Judas’s betrayal in fulfilled prophecy, proving Jesus’ foreknowledge and the reliability of Scripture. • “Son of destruction” highlights God’s just judgment on deliberate unbelief. • The shared title between Judas and the future Antichrist warns that proximity to truth without genuine faith leads to catastrophic loss. |
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