What is the meaning of John 17:6? I have revealed Your name Jesus begins by stating, “I have revealed Your name.” In Scripture, a name points to character and nature. When Christ revealed the Father’s name, He unveiled who God truly is—holy, righteous, compassionate, and faithful. • John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son… has made Him known.” • In John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” His entire ministry—His words, miracles, and sacrificial love—served as a living portrait of the Father’s heart. to those You have given Me Jesus addresses the disciples as gifts from the Father. Their coming to Christ didn’t start with them; it began with God’s sovereign choice. • John 6:37 assures, “Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me.” • Ephesians 1:4 affirms believers were “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.” This highlights God’s grace: salvation is initiated by Him and entrusted to the Son for perfect safekeeping. out of the world The Father selected these followers “out of the world,” distinguishing them from the fallen system opposed to God. • John 15:19 reminds disciples, “I have chosen you out of the world, so the world hates you.” • 1 John 2:15 cautions, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” Believers remain physically present yet spiritually set apart, called to live differently because they now belong to Christ. They were Yours Before their conversion, these disciples already belonged to the Father in His eternal plan. • Deuteronomy 32:9 declares, “The LORD’s portion is His people.” • Jesus underscores this security in John 10:29: “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.” Their prior belonging didn’t depend on their performance but on God’s covenant love. You gave them to Me The Father’s gift of believers to the Son creates a sacred trust and unity within the Godhead. • John 17:2 notes that the Father “gave Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.” • John 6:39 promises Jesus will “lose none” of those given to Him. This handoff underscores Christ’s role as Redeemer and Guardian of every believer. and they have kept Your word The disciples’ obedience proves the genuineness of their faith. Though imperfect, they received and guarded the Father’s revelation through Christ. • John 8:31: “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples.” • John 14:23: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” • 1 John 2:3–5 links love for God with obeying His commands. Their perseverance shows the transforming power of divine grace working in them. summary John 17:6 reveals a beautiful chain of divine action: the Father possesses a people, gives them to the Son, and the Son faithfully reveals the Father’s character to them. Drawn out of the world, they demonstrate authentic faith by treasuring and obeying God’s word. This verse magnifies the unity of Father and Son, the security of believers, and the call to distinct, word-keeping lives. |