# Overview John Chapter 17 presents the profound and intimate prayer of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] to the #Father, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer. This chapter is a culmination of Jesus' farewell discourse with His disciples, emphasizing His mission and relationship with the Father. Jesus begins by praying for His own glorification, that through His impending crucifixion, the Father may be glorified, and eternal life may be granted to those who know the only true #God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. This opening highlights the divine purpose and unity between Father and Son, as Jesus declares that He has accomplished the work given to Him, revealing the Father's name to those chosen out of the world. The prayer then shifts focus to the disciples. Jesus prays for their protection and sanctification in the truth, as they are left in the world but not of it. He asks the Father to keep them united, as He and the Father are one, and to protect them from the evil one. This section underscores the mission of the disciples to continue Jesus' work, sanctified by the truth of God's word. Finally, Jesus extends His prayer to all future believers, desiring that they may be one, as the Father is in Him and He is in the Father, so that the world may believe the Father sent Him. This intercession for unity reveals Jesus' heart for His followers to embody the love and unity reflective of the divine relationship, ultimately pointing to the truth of His mission and the glory given by the Father. ## Theological Insights #John 17, often referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer," offers profound theological insights into the nature of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]' mission, His relationship with the #Father, and His intercessory role for His #disciples and all future believers. 1. **Unity with the Father**: Jesus begins His prayer by addressing the #Father, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between them. This unity is foundational to understanding the #Trinity. Jesus prays, "Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you" (John 17:1), illustrating the mutual glorification between the Father and the Son. This reflects the divine purpose and unity in the mission of #salvation. 2. **Eternal Life Defined**: Jesus defines eternal life not merely as endless existence but as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). This knowledge is relational and experiential, emphasizing the personal aspect of salvation and the importance of a relationship with God through #Christ. 3. **Jesus' Completion of His Mission**: Jesus declares that He has finished the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). This statement anticipates His forthcoming crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, underscoring the completeness and sufficiency of His redemptive work. 4. **Protection and Sanctification of the Disciples**: Jesus prays for the protection and sanctification of His disciples (John 17:11, 17). He acknowledges the hostility of the world but asks the Father to keep them safe in His name and to sanctify them in the truth, which is God's word. This highlights the ongoing need for divine guidance and holiness in the life of a believer. 5. **Unity Among Believers**: Jesus' prayer extends to all who will believe through the message of the apostles, asking for unity among His followers (John 17:20-21). This unity is modeled after the unity between the Father and the Son and serves as a testimony to the world of Jesus' divine mission. It calls the church to strive for spiritual and relational unity. 6. **Jesus' Desire for Believers**: Jesus expresses His desire for believers to be with Him where He is, to see His glory (John 17:24). This expresses the ultimate goal of redemption: eternal communion with God, witnessing His glory, and sharing in His divine life. 7. **The Love of God**: The prayer concludes with an emphasis on the love of God (John 17:26). Jesus desires that the love with which the Father has loved Him may be in His followers, demonstrating the transformative and abiding nature of divine love in the believer's life. In summary, John 17 provides a deep insight into the heart of #Christ and His divine mission, emphasizing themes of glory, unity, sanctification, and love. These elements are central to the Christian faith and the life of every believer who seeks to follow Jesus. ## Thematic Connections ### Unity Among Believers In John 17, [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] prays for the unity of all believers, a theme that resonates throughout the #NewTestament. This unity is modeled on the relationship between the #Father and the #Son, reflecting perfect harmony and mutual indwelling. Jesus' prayer for unity among his followers echoes the early church's emphasis on communal life and mutual support, as seen in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]] where believers are described as "being together and having everything in common." ### The Glory of God The theme of God's glory is central to John 17. Jesus prays that the #Father would glorify the Son so that the Son may glorify the Father. This reciprocal glorification emphasizes the divine relationship and mission. The theme of God's glory is a recurrent theme in the #Bible, from the revelation of God's glory to #Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 33]] to the vision of God's glory in the #NewJerusalem in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]]. ### Sanctification Through Truth Jesus’ request for the sanctification of his disciples through the truth underlines the transformative power of God's word. This theme of sanctification is closely linked with living a life set apart for God, as seen in the call to holiness throughout Scripture, such as in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19]] where God commands, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." ### The Mission of the Disciples Jesus' prayer in John 17 also highlights the mission of the disciples, who are sent into the world just as Jesus was sent by the Father. This missionary theme is paralleled in the Great Commission in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]], where Jesus instructs his followers to make disciples of all nations. The disciples’ mission is rooted in the love and truth of the Gospel, reflecting the call to be witnesses to the ends of the earth as described in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1]]. ### The Love of God The love shared between the Father and the Son is extended to believers, emphasizing God's inclusive and sacrificial love. This love, which is meant to be a hallmark of Christian identity, is echoed in Jesus’ commandment to love one another in [[John/John Chapter 13]]. The theme of divine love is foundational to the Christian faith, exemplified in the famous declaration of God's love in [[John/John Chapter 3|John 3:16]]. ### Eternal Life John 17 also focuses on the theme of eternal life, which Jesus defines as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. This understanding of eternal life as a relationship with God and Jesus is a distinctive teaching of John's Gospel and aligns with the promise of eternal life found throughout the New Testament, such as in [[1 John/1 John Chapter 5]] where the assurance of eternal life is linked to belief in the Son of God. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The High Priestly Prayer and the Role of the Messiah In John 17, [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] offers a prayer that connects to the prophetic role of the #Messiah as mediator and intercessor for His people. This reflects the promise of a coming priestly figure found in prophetic passages such as [[Psalm/Psalm 110|Psalm 110:4]], where the Messiah is depicted as a priest forever in the order of #Melchizedek. Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, and for all future believers, fulfills the expectation of the Messiah who bridges humanity and God. ### The Revelation of God's Name Jesus declares that He has manifested God's name to His followers in John 17:6. This act of revealing God’s name fulfills the prophecy found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 52|Isaiah 52:6]], where God promises that His people will know His name. Jesus, by making God known, fulfills this prophecy, emphasizing His divine mission to reveal God's character and glory. ### Unity Among Believers Jesus prays for the unity of believers in John 17:21, which aligns with prophetic expectations of the Messiah uniting the people of God. This unity echoes the prophecies of a united people under one leader, as seen in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 37|Ezekiel 37:22]], where God promises to make His people one nation under a single shepherd. Jesus’ prayer points to His fulfillment of this prophecy, highlighting His role in establishing a new covenant community united in faith. ### The Glory of the Son Jesus speaks of the glory given to Him by the Father in John 17:5, which is a fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the glorified Messiah. This is reflected in the prophecies such as [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:13-14]], where the Son of Man is given dominion and glory. Jesus’ reference to His pre-existent glory and the glory He shares with the Father fulfills these messianic prophecies, affirming His divine nature and mission. ### The Sanctification and Sending of the Disciples In John 17:17-18, Jesus prays for the sanctification of His disciples, echoing the prophetic call for a holy and set-apart people found in passages like [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19|Exodus 19:6]], where Israel is called to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Jesus’ prayer and sending of His disciples fulfill this call, positioning them as the foundation of the new covenant community tasked with spreading the gospel to all nations. ## Verses - **John 17:1** - "After saying all these things, [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] looked up to heaven and said, 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.'" - See also [[John/John Chapter 12]] where Jesus speaks about His hour. - **John 17:2** - "For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him." - Compare with [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]] where Jesus speaks of His authority. - **John 17:3** - "And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true #God, and [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], the one you sent to earth." - See also [[John/John Chapter 14]] where Jesus talks about knowing the Father. - **John 17:4** - "I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." - Compare with [[John/John Chapter 19]] where Jesus completes His work on the cross. - **John 17:5** - "Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began." - See also [[John/John Chapter 1]] on the pre-existence of Jesus. - **John 17:6** - "I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word." - Compare with [[John/John Chapter 6]] where Jesus speaks about those given to Him by the Father. - **John 17:7** - "Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you," - See also [[James/James Chapter 1]] about every good gift coming from the Father. - **John 17:8** - "for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me." - Refer to [[John/John Chapter 16]] where Jesus talks about His mission from the Father. - **John 17:9** - "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you." - See also [[John/John Chapter 15]] on the relationship between Jesus and His followers. - **John 17:10** - "All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory." - Compare with [[John/John Chapter 10]] where Jesus speaks about His sheep. - **John 17:11** - "Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are." - See also [[John/John Chapter 14]] on Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. - **John 17:12** - "During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold." - Refer to [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 41]] and [[John/John Chapter 13]] about the prophecy of betrayal. - **John 17:13** - "Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy." - See also [[John/John Chapter 15]] about Jesus' joy in His disciples. - **John 17:14** - "I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world." - Compare with [[1 John/1 John Chapter 2]] on not loving the world. - **John 17:15** - "I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6]] on deliverance from evil. - **John 17:16** - "They do not belong to this world any more than I do." - Refer to [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 3]] about citizenship in heaven. - **John 17:17** - "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." - Compare with [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 5]] on sanctification through the word. - **John 17:18** - "Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]] on the Great Commission. - **John 17:19** - "And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." - Compare with [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 10]] on Jesus' sacrifice. - **John 17:20** - "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message." - Refer to [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]] on the spread of the Gospel. - **John 17:21** - "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." - See also [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 4]] on the unity of believers. - **John 17:22** - "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one." - Compare with [[2 Corinthians/2 Corinthians Chapter 3]] on the glory of the new covenant. - **John 17:23** - "I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." - Refer to [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8]] on the love of God. - **John 17:24** - "Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!" - See also [[John/John Chapter 14]] on the promise of being with Jesus. - **John 17:25** - "O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me." - Compare with [[1 John/1 John Chapter 5]] on knowing God. - **John 17:26** - "I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them." - See also [[Colossians/Colossians Chapter 1]] on Christ in believers.