Bible Commentaries
John 17

Verse 1

words = things; i.e. from John 13:31 to John 16:33 .

Jesus . App-98 .

to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

heaven = the heaven (singular) See on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

Father . App-98 . See on John 1:14 .

hour. Compare John 12:23 , John 12:27 ; John 13:1 .

glorify. See on John 12:16 and p. 1511.

Son. App-98 and App-108 .

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

also . All texts omit.

Verse 2

As = Even as.

power = authority. App-172 .

over all flesh. Literally of: i.e. in relation to ( App-17 .) all flesh. Compare Isaiah 40:5 .Luke 3:6 . Acts 2:17 .

eternal. App-151 .

life . App-170 .

to as many , &c. Literally everything that Thou hast given Him, to them. Seven times in this prayer His people are said to have been given Him by the Father, verses: John 17:2 , John 17:6 , John 17:6 , John 2:9 , John 2:11 , John 2:12 , John 2:24 ; but see notes on verses: John 17:11 , John 17:12 .

Verse 3

this , &c. Not a definition of eternal life, but the purpose (Greek. hina, as in John 17:1 ) for which it is given.

know. App-132 .

true . App-175 ., and p. 1511.

God . App-98 .

Jesus Christ . App-98 .

sent. App-174 . Christ said to be the sent One six times in this prayer, forty-three times in John; apostello, 17 times; pempo, 33 times.

Verse 4

on. Greek. epi. App-104 .

earth . App-129 .

I have finished . The texts read "having finished". Compare John 4:34 ; John 5:36 ; John 19:30 .

gavest = hast given.

to do = in order that (Greek. hina, as in John 17:1 ) I should do it.

Verse 5

now. Greek. nun, as in John 13:31 .

with = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

glory. Greek. doxa. See p. 1511.

before . Greek. pro. App-104 .

world . App-129 .

Verse 6

have manifested = manifested.

name . Compare verses: it, 12, 26. Exodus 34:5 .Psalms 9:10 ; Psalms 20:1 (see note there).

unto = to.

men . App-123 .

gavest . Compare John 17:2 ; John 6:37 ; John 12:32 .

out of . Greek. ek. App-104 . kept. Greek. tereo. This word is used in these chapters twelve times: John 14:15 , John 14:21 , John 14:23 , John 14:24 ; John 15:10 , John 15:10 , John 15:20 , John 15:20 ; John 17:6 , John 17:11 , John 17:12 , John 17:15 ; nine times in reference to the Word, thrice in reference to the disciples. word. Greek. logos. See Mark 9:32 . Three statements are made by the Lord of His disciples, each three times: their relationship to the Word, verses: John 17:6 , John 17:7 , John 17:8 ; relationship to the Sent One, verses: John 17:8 , John 17:18 , John 17:25 ; relationship to the world, verses: John 17:14 , John 17:14 , John 17:16 .

Verse 7

of = from. Greek. para. App-104 .

Verse 8

words. Greek. rhema. See Mark 9:32 .

have received = received.

have known = knew,

surely = truly. Greek. alethos. Compare App-175 .

from . Greek. para, as in John 17:7 .

have believed = believed. App-150 .

Verse 9

pray = ask. Greek. erotao. App-134 . The Lord uses this word eight times in these chapters: John 14:16 ; John 16:5 , John 16:23 , John 16:26 ; John 17:9 , John 17:9 , John 17:15 , John 17:20 . The word aiteo, used of an inferior addressing a superior, Occurs John 14:13 , John 14:14 ; John 15:7 , John 15:16 ; John 16:23 , John 16:24 , John 16:24 , John 16:26 . Compare Mark 15:43 (crave), Luke 23:52 (beg).

for = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 . not. Greek. ou. App-105 .

Verse 10

all Mine are Thine , &c. = all things that are Mine are Thine, &c. This is a claim of perfect equality. Everything belonging to the Father, from essential being to works, the Son claims as His own. Luther says, "Any man can say ' All mine is Thine', but only the Son can say 'All that is Thine is Mine. ' Compare 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 .

am glorified = have been glorified. See verses: John 17:6-8 .

in . Greek. en. App-104 .

Verse 11

now . . . no more = no longer. Greek. ouketi.

to = unto. Greek. pros. App-104 .

Holy Father . When speaking of Himself, the Lord says, "Father", verses: John 1:5 , John 1:21 , John 1:24 ; when speaking of His disciples, "Holy Father"; when speaking of the world, "Righteous Father", John 17:25 . The holiness of God has separated the disciples from the world. Compare 1 John 2:15 , 1 John 2:16 .

through = in. Greek. en, as in John 17:12 .

whom . All the texts read "which", referring to "name": i.e. "Keep them through Thy name which Thou hast given Me. "Compare Exodus 23:21 .Isaiah 9:6 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:9 , Philippians 1:10 . Revelation 19:12 .

one. Greek. en. Neut. as in John 10:30 . This request is made five times ( App-6 ) in this chapter: here, verses: John 21:21 , John 21:22 , John 21:23 .

Verse 12

While = When. with. Greek. meta. App-104 .

in the world . All the texts omit.

those that . As in John 17:11 , all the texts put the relative in the singular, and read "in Thy name that Thou gayest Me, and I kept them".

have kept = kept (Greek. phulasso), i.e. guarded. Compare Luke 2:8 (keep watch). 1 John 5:21 . Not the same word as in former clause and John 17:6 .

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

lost. Greek apollumi. Occurs twelve times in John: John 6:12 , John 6:39 ; John 12:25 ; John 17:12 ; John 18:9 (lose); John 3:15 , John 3:16 ; John 6:27 ; John 10:28 ; John 11:50 (perish); John 10:10 (destroy); John 18:14 (die). Used of the doom of the sinner. One of the strongest words in the Greek language to express final and irretrievable destruction.

but = except. Greek. ei me.

the son , &c. This expression occurs here and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (the Antichrist). Used in the Septuagint in Isaiah 57:4 , "children of transgression". Compare Matthew 9:16 ; Matthew 13:38 ; Matthew 23:15 .Luke 16:8 . Acts 13:10 . Ephesians 2:2 , in all which passages "child "should be "son".

perdition . Greek. apoleia, a kindred word to apollumi. Occurs twenty times. Only here in John. First occurance. Matthew 7:13 .

the scripture , &c. This expression occurs five times in John, here, John 13:18 ; John 19:24 , John 19:28 , John 19:36 .

might be = may be, expressing certainty.

fulfilled . See on John 15:11 .

Verse 14

Thy word. In John 17:6 the word is "kept", here it is "given"; in John 17:17 its character is stated, "truth".

hath hated = hated.

Verse 15

from = out of. Greek. ek, as in the former clause. the evil = the evil one. See on Matthew 6:13 . Compare 1 John 5:19 . Three things the Lord requested for His disciples: to be kept from the evil one, to be sanctified through the truth (John 17:17 ), and to behold His glory (John 17:24 ).

Verse 17

Sanctify = Hallow. Greek. hagiam. Separation is the idea of the word "holy". See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Thy . All the texts read "the".

truth . The truth is the great separating force. Compare Matthew 10:35 .

Thy word , &c. = The word that is Thine is the truth. The Incarnate and revealed Words alike. Compare John 6:33 ; John 14:6 ; John 16:13 .Matthew 22:16 . 2Co 6:7 ; 2 Corinthians 13:8 . Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:14 .Ephesians 1:13 .

Verse 18

As = Even as.

hast sent = didst send.

into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

have . . . sent = sent.

Verse 19

for their sakes = on behalf of (Greek. huper. App-104 .) them.

I sanctify Myself = I dedicate or consecrate Myself. This shows the meaning of sanctify; not making holy as to moral character, but setting apart for God. The Lord was the antitype of all the offerings, which were holy unto Jehovah.

might be = may be.

the truth . There is no article.

Verse 20

Neither = Not, (Greek. ou . App-105 ).

shall believe . All the texts read "believe".

believe on . App-150 .

through . Greek. dia. App-104 .

Verse 21

hast sent = didst send (Aor.)

Verse 22

gayest . Here the reading should be "hast given".

Verse 23

made perfect = perfected. Greek. teleioo. Same word as "finish" in John 17:4 .

in = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

and. All omit.

hast sent = didst send.

hast loved = lovedst.

loved . Greek. agapao. See p. 1511.

as = even as.

Verse 24

will . Greek. thelo. App-102 . Compare John 12:21 ; John 15:7 ; John 16:19 .

behold . Greek. theoreo. App-133 . Compare John 2:23 ,

the foundation , &c. See App-146 .

Verse 25

righteous Father . See on John 17:11 .

hath not known Thee = knew Thee not. See John 8:55 .Romans 1:18-32 . 1Co 1:21 ; 1 Corinthians 2:8 .

have known = knew.

hast sent = didst send.

Verse 26

have declared = declared: i.e. made known. Greek. gnorizo. See John 15:15 , the only other occurance in John. Kindred word to ginosko ( App-132 . ) and gnosis, knowledge.

love. Greek. agape. App-136 .

hast loved = lovedst. This whole chapter beautifully illustrates Psalms 119:0 and Psalms 138:2 .