John 17

Jesus is praying. Rarely do we get to see what Jesus prayed. But, here we do. We get to see the relationship between the Father and Son.

First part: Jesus celebrating and requesting.

Celebrating his work is done

Requesting he be glorified through the task of the cross.

John 17:1–5 (ESV)

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

John 17:1–5 (ESV)

John 17:1—When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,

To lift up the eyes to heaven was the common posture in prayer, and very proper too, inasmuch as the One who is addressed has his Throne in heaven. (cf. Ps. 123:1; Mark 7:34; Luke 18:13).

hour has come-Jesus is very conscious about the drama of redemption. He is thinking about the entire consummation of his entire ministry-death, resurrection, ascension, and coronation. This hour was an hour of crisis.

Jesus is glorified when the radiance of his attributes is displayed. Surely, in the cross of Christ and also in the crown we see this glory. In the cross, viewed as the culmination and climax of the entire work of redemption by which he saves his people, the Son manifests his perfect obedience, his infinite love for sinners, and his power over the prince of this world. This obedience, love, and power reflects glory on himself.

The “glory” of God is a noun and means his majesty or his splendor, his “display of divine goodness” (Carson, John, 129). When we talk about God’s being glorified (the verb), we mean the appropriate response to his goodness displayed. So the glory of God (noun) is his goodness displayed, and glorifying God (verb) is his goodness celebrated. God is glorious regardless of whether anyone understands who he is, but we glorify God by seeing his goodness and worshiping him for it.

The opening petition glorify your Son implies a claim to deity, since the OT affirms that God will not give his glory to another (e.g., Isa. 42:8; 48:11; on Jesus as the sent Son, see also John 3:16–18). As usual in John, God is glorified particularly through the cross of Christ.

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Exalting Jesus in John (Jesus Prays for the Father to Glorify Him (John 17:1–5))

Here when Jesus prays to be glorified, it means his goodness must be seen and celebrated. For God to answer this request means the greatness of Jesus will need to be understood and acknowledged.

If Jesus’s number one priority is to bring glory to the Father, what does that mean for his followers? It can mean nothing less than that the glory of God must be the top priority in your life. Everything you do should have as its purpose the worship of God. Every single detail of your life is intended to reveal and celebrate the goodness of God.

Carter, Matt, and Josh Wredberg. 2017. Exalting Jesus in John. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference.

John 17:2—since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

The Father has given Jesus authority over all flesh

17:2 authority over all flesh Jesus has performed miracles and exorcisms, and He even demonstrated His power to raise someone from the dead. God also created the world through Him, which means that He is the ruler of it (1:1–3).

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 17)

Adam and Eve were supposed to have authority over the earth, acting as the heirs and stewards of God’s work to bring order to chaos (see note on Gen 1:28). Since they failed by sinning, God needed to send His only Son to carry out this work. Only someone united with God—as Adam and Eve were before their sin—has the ability to righteously rule over the earth as steward (Gen 3:8; Rom 5:12–21; 1 Cor 15:22, 45).

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 17

17:2 The Father’s granting of authority over all flesh to Jesus (cf. 5:27) marks the start of a new era (cf. Isa. 9:6–7; Dan. 7:13–14; see also Matt. 11:27; 28:18). “All flesh” means the whole human race.

Exalting Jesus in John (Jesus Prays for the Father to Glorify Him (John 17:1–5))

John 17:3— this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

But eternal life is not just everlasting life.

• Eternal life is a relationship with the everlasting God and Jesus Christ

17:2–3 Eternal life comes from knowing God and Jesus the sent Son (cf. 1:4; 5:26; 20:31). Knowing God is not confined to intellectual knowledge but entails living in fellowship with him. That they know you implies an intimate relationship that involves actually knowing God as a person. That God is the only true God is affirmed supremely in Deut. 6:4 (cf. John 5:44; 1 John 5:20). Jesus, in turn, is the “one-of-a-kind” Son sent by the Father (cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18) and the only way to him (14:6).

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

When can we have eternal life? now

John 17:4—I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 17)

17:4 the work Jesus taught the disciples God’s plan for salvation, what it means to believe in Him, God’s plan for eternal life, and how to proclaim the message of salvation. Jesus is also saying that none of His disciples have been lost outside of the one whom God knew from the beginning would be lost (Judas; see note on v. 12).

How did Jesus glorify the Father? He did his work.

One way to glorify God is to accomplishing the work that the Father gives us to do.

John 17:5—And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 17)

17:5 glory that I had at your side Describes a position of power. Jesus is asking God the Father to raise Him to the same position He had before entering the world (compare John 1:1–4; note on Isa 53:12).before the world existed See note on John 1:1.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 17

17:5 Jesus again claims that he existed before the world existed (or “before the world was”; cf. 1:1, 14; 3:13; 6:62; 8:58; 16:28; 17:24).

Jesus wants to be glorified in the presence of God like the glory he had even before the world existed.

John 17:6–19 (ESV)

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:6–19 (ESV)

John 17:6. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 17)

17:6 I have revealed (manifested) your name Throughout His ministry, Jesus has made the Father known (1:18; 5:43; 14:6–9; 17:26).

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 17

17:6 Jesus’ revelation of God’s name entails making known the Father in his whole person, both his works and words (cf. 1:18; 8:19, 27; 10:38; 12:45; 14:9–11).

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 17

men whom you gave me Refers to those who came to Jesus to hear His message of salvation.

John 17:7. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.

John 17:8. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

John 17:9. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

17:9 Those whom you have given me are those who have believed or who would come to believe in Christ (see vv. 2, 6, 12; also 6:37, 39; 10:29).

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 17:10. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

John 17:11. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

17:11 I am no longer in the world Jesus seems to be anticipating the state of affairs after His ascension, when the disciples are carrying on His earthly ministry. The term “world” could refer to those who oppose Jesus (see note on 16:20; compare note on 16:33). If this is the case, Jesus means that He will no longer dialogue with those who oppose Him. From this point forward, Jesus’ answers to His oppressors are minimal and straightforward; He speaks plainly (e.g., 16:25). He will go to His death in the same way as the Suffering Servant—silently (Isa 53:7).

I am coming to you Jesus will come to God’s heavenly abode through His ascension (see note on John 14:2).

your name, which you have given to me The reference here is a claim of equal status with God, who at times is called “the Name” in the OT (see Deut 12:5 and note).

your name God has given His authority to Jesus. This fits with the “I am” sayings used throughout the Gospel of John (see note on John 13:13).

may be one, just as we are Since believers are one with Jesus, and Jesus is one with God the Father, believers are one with God the Father. However, proximity to God’s holiness requires a sacrifice for believers’ sins—which takes place in Jesus’ death. Jesus has emphasized this point to His disciples throughout chs. 14–17 (compare note on 10:30).

that they may be one, even as we are one. Jesus shows the kind of profound unity that should be the norm among genuine believers. As the following verses indicate (through John 17:26), this is to be a reflection of the unity that has existed eternally between the Father and the Son (v. 11), namely, the unity of a common mind and purpose, an unqualified mutual love, and a sustained comprehensive togetherness in mission, as revealed in the Father-Son relationship characterized by Jesus’ own ministry.

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The kind of unity that is central to Jesus’ high priestly prayer is not organizational but is an all-encompassing relational reality that binds believers together with each other and with their Lord—a unity that can be achieved only through the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although individual Christians, and the church in general, tend to fall short of the fullness of unity that the Lord intends, whenever such unity is even partially realized (never at the expense of truth or holiness; v. 17) the result will always be deep joy (v. 13), a persuasive witness to the world (vv. 21, 23), and a display of God’s glory (v. 22).

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Rowing

Unity doesn’t come from everyone rowing their hardest but from everyone submitting to a single voice.

Carter, Matt, and Josh Wredberg. 2017. Exalting Jesus in John. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference.

John 17:12. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 17

17:12 I kept them in your name Indicates that Jesus kept His disciples secure in their faith through divine authority and power.

New Testament 17:6–19—Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Here Jesus might allude to Psalm 41:9, which he cited in John 13:18. Jewish teaching recognized that God dealt more severely with apostates than with those who were born pagans, because apostates had known the truth but turned away from it.

John 17:13. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

John 17:14. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

You and the World OPTIONS:

Isolation-believing the gospel needs to be protected instead of shared. They hear the call to remain faithful to God’s Word, and they disengage from all non-Christians.

Inoculation—believing the gospel has made them immune to temptation and worldliness. They hear the call to remain faithful to God’s mission and immerse themselves fully in the world. They ask, “What better way to reach the world than to blur any possible distinction between a Christian and a non-Christian?” These Christians minimize the biblical teaching on sin and repentance, choosing to live exactly as their non-Christian neighbors. Their legitimate desire to remain faithful to God’s mission has caused them to disregard his truth.

insulation, believing a daily focus on the gospel protects us from temptation as we seek to share the gospel with those who don’t know Jesus. Insulation means working diligently to balance faithfulness to the truth and faithfulness to our mission. We recognize Christians should live differently from non-Christians but not by removing ourselves from the world of non-Christians. We live differently in the midst of an unbelieving world, and the difference is seen in the unmistakable fruit of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Carter, Matt, and Josh Wredberg. 2017. Exalting Jesus in John. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference.

John 17:15. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

17:15 evil one A general term referring to a malicious figure. In some contexts, it can refer to the devil specifically (see note on 13:2; note on 13:27).

17:15 Even though God’s people in the midst of hardship may sometimes want to be taken out of the world (see Num. 11:15; 1 Kings 19:4; Jonah 4:3, 8), Jesus does not ask for that. The place of believers during this lifetime is not to withdraw from the world but to remain in the world and to influence it continually for good, as difficult as that may be.

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

keep them. The central request of the prayer is repeated again (see John 17:11). Jesus prays that his own will be guarded from the evil one, that is, Satan, who would attack them to destroy their lives and their ministries. But the Greek phrase ek tou ponērou can also mean “from evil” (see ESV footnote), since Greek nouns denoting abstract qualities often take a definite article, in which case it would be a prayer that their lives and ministries not be overcome by Satan or by any other kind of evil, and that they be kept from doing evil as well (see 1 John 5:19).

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 17:16. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

17:16 Those who believe in Christ are not of the world, meaning that they have an entirely different nature (see 3:3–8), including different heart desires, different fundamental goals, and ultimately a different God. The common saying that Christians are “in the world but not of the world” is not found exactly anywhere in Scripture, but the idea is true and is taken from 17:15–16.

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 17:17. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

New Testament (17:6–19—Jesus Prays for His Disciples)

The Old Testament and Jewish tradition emphasized Israel’s separation from and often hatred by the world. God had “sanctified” or “set apart” Israel for himself as holy, especially by giving them his commandments (e.g., Lev. 11:44–45). (Today Jewish people still celebrate this sanctification by the commandments in the blessing over the lighting of sabbath candles.)

New Testament (17:6–19—Jesus Prays for His Disciples)

If God had sanctified his people, or set them apart among the nations by giving them the law, how much more are followers of Jesus set apart by his coming as the law made flesh (see comment on 1:1–18); Jesus treats his disciples here as the true remnant of Israel, i.e., the saved covenant community within Israel.

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 17)

17:17 Sanctify Refers to God’s ongoing work to set His people apart for His purposes—to make them holy as He is holy (see note on 1 Thess 4:3). The Spirit is the one who prompts and tends to this work (see note on John 14:26).

17:17 Sanctify them. The sanctification of Christians is a lifelong process. It involves both a relational component (separation from participating in and being influenced by evil) and a moral component (growth in holiness or moral purity in attitudes, thoughts, and actions). This occurs in the truth, that is, as Christians believe, think, and live according to “the truth” in relation to God, themselves, and the world. This truth comprises the entire Bible, for Jesus says, your word is truth. The Greek word is surprisingly not an adjective (meaning “your word is true”) but a noun (alētheia, “truth”). This implies that God’s Word does not simply conform to some other external standard of “truth,” but that it is truth itself; that is, it embodies truth and it therefore is the standard of truth against which everything else must be tested and compared.

Crossway Bibles. 2008. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 17:18. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

John 17:19. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.