John 17
BSB1 When 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. 2 For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. 6 I 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. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8 For 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. 9 I 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. 10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11 I 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, so that they may be one as We are one. 12 While 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. 13 But 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. 14 I 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. 15 I am not asking 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 by the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. 20 I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21 that 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. 22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23 I 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. 24 Father, 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. 25 Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26 And 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."
Study Notes — John 17
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from John 17
- Themes from John 17
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on John 17
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In John 17, Jesus prays to the Father, expressing His desire to glorify God and to have His disciples glorify Him as well. He prays for their protection from the evil one and for their unity, that they may be one as Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus also prays for those who will believe in Him through the disciples' testimony, that they may have eternal life. He asks the Father to sanctify His disciples in the truth, and to send them into the world to bear fruit. The chapter concludes with Jesus' expression of joy and love for His disciples, and His desire to give them the glory that the Father has given Him.
Context for the Chapter
John chapter 17 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' life and ministry, as recorded in the Gospel of John. It follows Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, in which He prepares them for His departure and promises to send the Holy Spirit to guide them. This chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of prayer and the relationship between God and humanity.
Heart Application
As we read Jesus' prayer in John 17, we are reminded of the importance of our personal relationship with God and Jesus. We are called to glorify God and to have a deep intimacy with Him, just as Jesus does. We are also called to unity with other believers, that we may be one as Jesus and the Father are one.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
John chapter 17 is a prayer of Jesus to His Father, in which He expresses His desire to glorify God and to have His disciples glorify Him as well. Jesus prays for their protection and unity, and He defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of our personal relationship with God and Jesus, and we are called to glorify God and to have unity with other believers.
Voices from the Church
“The prayer of Jesus in John 17 is a model for our own prayers, as it is characterized by intimacy, reverence, and a deep concern for the well-being of others.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“In John 17, we see the Son of God praying to the Father, and this teaches us the importance of prayer in our own lives. We are to come to God in prayer, just as Jesus does, with confidence and reverence.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to Jesus' Prayer (John 17:1-5) — In this section, Jesus addresses the Father and expresses His desire to glorify Him. He also defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.
- Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:6-19) — In this section, Jesus prays for His disciples, whom He loves and wants to protect from the evil one. He asks the Father to sanctify them in the truth and to send them into the world to bear fruit.
- Jesus' Prayer for Unity (John 17:20-23) — In this section, Jesus prays for the unity of His disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He asks the Father to give them the glory that He has given Him, that they may be with Him where He is.
- Conclusion to Jesus' Prayer (John 17:24-26) — In this section, Jesus concludes His prayer by expressing His desire to give His disciples the glory that the Father has given Him. He also looks forward to the time when He will be with His disciples again, and they will see His glory.
- Final Thoughts on Jesus' Prayer (John 17:1-26) — As we conclude our study of Jesus' prayer in John 17, we are reminded of the importance of our personal relationship with God and Jesus. We are called to glorify God and to have unity with other believers, just as Jesus and the Father are one.
Core Doctrines
- The Trinity
- In John 17, we see the Son of God praying to the Father, and this teaches us about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We learn that Jesus is the Son of God, who has come from the Father and is returning to the Father.
- The Importance of Prayer
- Jesus' prayer in John 17 is a model for our own prayers, as it is characterized by intimacy, reverence, and a deep concern for the well-being of others. We are to come to God in prayer, just as Jesus does, with confidence and reverence.
- The Nature of Eternal Life
- In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. This teaches us that eternal life is not just a state of being, but a personal relationship with God and Jesus.
- The Importance of Unity
- Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes the importance of unity among His disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. This teaches us that unity is essential for the church, and that we are to strive for unity in our relationships with other believers.
Lessons from John 17
- The Importance of Intimacy with God — Jesus' prayer in John 17 teaches us the importance of intimacy with God, and how we can cultivate that intimacy in our own lives through prayer and meditation on God's Word.
- The Power of Prayer — Jesus' prayer in John 17 demonstrates the power of prayer, and how it can bring about real change in our lives and in the world around us.
- The Nature of Eternal Life — Jesus' definition of eternal life in John 17:3 teaches us that eternal life is not just a state of being, but a personal relationship with God and Jesus. This helps us to understand the nature of salvation and the Christian life.
- The Importance of Unity — Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 emphasizes the importance of unity in the church, and how we can strive for unity in our relationships with other believers.
- The Glory that Awaits Us — Jesus' conclusion to His prayer in John 17:24-26 teaches us about the glory that awaits us in heaven, and how we can look forward to that glory with confidence and anticipation.
Themes from John 17
- The Trinity — In John 17, we see the Son of God praying to the Father, and this teaches us about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Importance of Prayer — Jesus' prayer in John 17 is a model for our own prayers, as it is characterized by intimacy, reverence, and a deep concern for the well-being of others.
- The Nature of Eternal Life — Jesus' definition of eternal life in John 17:3 teaches us that eternal life is not just a state of being, but a personal relationship with God and Jesus.
- The Importance of Unity — Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 emphasizes the importance of unity in the church, and how we can strive for unity in our relationships with other believers.
- The Glory that Awaits Us — Jesus' conclusion to His prayer in John 17:24-26 teaches us about the glory that awaits us in heaven, and how we can look forward to that glory with confidence and anticipation.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the main theme of Jesus' prayer in John 17, and how does it relate to our own lives?
- How does Jesus' definition of eternal life in John 17:3 relate to our understanding of salvation and the Christian life?
- What does Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 teach us about the importance of unity in the church?
- How can we apply Jesus' model of prayer in John 17 to our own prayer lives, and what benefits can we expect to experience as a result?
- What does Jesus' conclusion to His prayer in John 17:24-26 teach us about the glory that awaits us in heaven, and how can we look forward to that glory with confidence and anticipation?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to Jesus' Prayer (John 17:1-5)
| 17:1 | Jesus addresses the Father and expresses His desire to glorify Him. He says, "Father, the hour has come." |
| 17:2 | Jesus defines His role as the Son of God, and He expresses His desire to give eternal life to those whom the Father has given Him. He says, "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him." |
| 17:3 | Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. He says, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." |
| 17:4 | Jesus expresses His desire to glorify the Father, and He says that He has glorified Him on earth by completing the work that the Father gave Him to do. He says, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." |
| 17:5 | Jesus looks forward to the time when He will be with the Father again, and He will have the glory that He had with the Father before the world began. He says, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." |
2. Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:6-19)
| 17:6 | Jesus says that He has revealed the Father's name to the disciples, and they have received it. He says, "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world." |
| 17:7 | Jesus expresses His desire to give the disciples the words that the Father has given Him, and He says that they have received them and have come to know that everything that the Father has given Him comes from the Father. He says, "Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you." |
| 17:8 | Jesus says that He has given the disciples the words that the Father has given Him, and they have received them. He says, "For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them." |
| 17:9 | Jesus prays for the disciples, whom He loves and wants to protect from the evil one. He says, "I pray for them." |
| 17:10 | Jesus says that everything that belongs to Him belongs to the Father, and everything that belongs to the Father belongs to Him. He says, "All I have is yours, and all you have is mine." |
| 17:11 | Jesus prays for the unity of the disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He says, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you." |
| 17:12 | Jesus says that while He was with the disciples, He protected them and kept them safe from the evil one. He says, "While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me." |
| 17:13 | Jesus says that He is coming to the Father, and He is praying for the disciples while He is still in the world. He says, "But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." |
| 17:14 | Jesus says that He has given the disciples the Father's words, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world. He says, "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." |
| 17:15 | Jesus prays for the disciples, asking the Father to protect them from the evil one. He says, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." |
| 17:16 | Jesus says that the disciples are not of the world, just as He is not of the world. He says, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." |
| 17:17 | Jesus asks the Father to sanctify the disciples in the truth, and He says that His word is truth. He says, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." |
| 17:18 | Jesus says that just as the Father sent Him into the world, He is sending the disciples into the world. He says, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." |
| 17:19 | Jesus says that for their sake, He sanctifies Himself, that they too may be truly sanctified. He says, "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." |
3. Jesus' Prayer for Unity (John 17:20-23)
| 17:20 | Jesus says that He is praying not only for the disciples, but also for those who will believe in Him through their message. He says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." |
| 17:21 | Jesus prays for the unity of all believers, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He says, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." |
| 17:22 | Jesus says that He has given the disciples the glory that the Father has given Him, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He says, "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one." |
| 17:23 | Jesus says that He is in the disciples and the disciples are in Him, and that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. He says, "I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity." |
4. Conclusion to Jesus' Prayer (John 17:24-26)
| 17:24 | Jesus says that He wants the disciples to be with Him where He is, so that they may see His glory, which the Father has given Him. He says, "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." |
| 17:25 | Jesus says that the Father is righteous, and the world has not known Him, but Jesus has known Him, and the disciples have come to know Him. He says, "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me." |
| 17:26 | Jesus says that He has made the Father's name known to the disciples, and He will continue to make it known, that the love of the Father may be in them and that Jesus may be in them. He says, "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Jesus' prayer in John 17?
The main theme of Jesus' prayer in John 17 is His desire to glorify the Father and to have His disciples glorify Him as well. He prays for their protection and unity, and He defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.
What does Jesus mean by 'eternal life' in John 17:3?
In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. This means that eternal life is not just a state of being, but a personal relationship with God and Jesus.
Why does Jesus pray for unity among His disciples in John 17:20-23?
Jesus prays for unity among His disciples because He wants them to be one as He and the Father are one. He knows that unity is essential for the church, and that it will be a witness to the world of the love and power of God.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 17:1 → Hebrews 5:7 | In both John 17:1 and Hebrews 5:7, we see Jesus praying to the Father, and this teaches us about the importance of prayer in our own lives. |
| 2 | John 17:3 → 1 John 5:11 | In both John 17:3 and 1 John 5:11, we see that eternal life is defined as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. |
| 3 | John 17:5 → Isaiah 6:1-5 | In both John 17:5 and Isaiah 6:1-5, we see a vision of God's glory, and this teaches us about the majesty and power of God. |
| 4 | John 17:11 → Ephesians 4:3 | In both John 17:11 and Ephesians 4:3, we see the importance of unity among believers, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. |
| 5 | John 17:17 → Psalm 119:9 | In John 17:17, Jesus asks the Father to sanctify the disciples in the truth, and this teaches us about the importance of God's Word in our lives. |
| 6 | John 17:20 → Acts 2:42-47 | In both John 17:20 and Acts 2:42-47, we see the importance of unity among believers, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. |
| 7 | John 17:22 → 2 Corinthians 3:18 | In both John 17:22 and 2 Corinthians 3:18, we see the importance of reflecting God's glory in our lives, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. |
| 8 | John 17:24 → 1 Thessalonians 4:17 | In both John 17:24 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we see the promise of being with Jesus in heaven, and this teaches us about the hope of eternal life with God. |
| 9 | John 17:25 → Jeremiah 9:24 | In both John 17:25 and Jeremiah 9:24, we see the importance of knowing God, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. |
| 10 | John 17:26 → 1 John 4:7-12 | In both John 17:26 and 1 John 4:7-12, we see the importance of loving one another, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. |
Sermons on John 17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Grain of Wheat by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ. He tells a story about an artist who becomes so engrossed in his work that he is |
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(The Glory of God) in Motivation by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching about God's glory rather than focusing on principles and rules. He criticizes the tendency of pastors to manipula |
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"That They May Be one." by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not treating the preaching of the word of God as a mere ceremonial duty. He criticizes the idea of paying someone to fill a |
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Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar |
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Anaheim Talk by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that war in the Middle East is inevitable and that the stage is set for it. He believes that the word of God is more up to date than tomorro |
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What Is Truth by Francis Schaeffer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of acting upon the knowledge of the truth in order to experience peace. He emphasizes that God wants all people to be saved a |
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Poor, Blind, Beggarly Believer by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a simple illustration used by Jesus in John 12:23-24. Jesus speaks of the hour of his glorification and uses the analogy of a grain of wheat |
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(Education for Exultation) Building Our Lives on the Bible by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of the Bible in our lives and its role in bringing about exaltation in God. He emphasizes that all Scripture is inspired by Go |
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The Holy of Holies (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the hardships and sufferings that the apostle Paul endured in his ministry. He mentions Paul being lashed, hung on a piece of wood, and expe |
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Suffering With Jesus Christ by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of taking on the yoke of Jesus. He uses the analogy of a train staying on track to illustrate the importance of being in bondage |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 17
In John 17, we see Jesus praying to the Father, and this teaches us about the importance of prayer in our own lives. Jesus' prayer is characterized by intimacy, reverence, and a deep concern for the well-being of others. He prays for His disciples, asking the Father to protect them from the evil one and to sanctify them in the truth. He also prays for unity among His disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. This chapter teaches us about the nature of eternal life, which is defined as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. It also teaches us about the importance of reflecting God's glory in our lives, and how it is a witness to the world of the love and power of God. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of our personal relationship with God and Jesus, and we are called to glorify God and to have unity with other believers. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Jesus' Intimacy with the Father
Throughout the chapter, Jesus addresses the Father in a deeply personal and intimate way, demonstrating His close relationship with God. This is evident in verses such as John 17:1, where Jesus says, "Father, the hour has come."
Jesus' Concern for His Disciples
Jesus' prayer in this chapter is characterized by His concern for His disciples, whom He loves and wants to protect from the evil one. This is evident in verses such as John 17:9, where Jesus says, "I pray for them."
The Importance of Unity
Jesus' prayer in this chapter emphasizes the importance of unity among His disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. This is evident in verses such as John 17:11, where Jesus says, "that they may be one as we are one."