John 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
These words spake Jesus - That is, what is related in the preceding chapters. We may consider our Lord as still moving on towards Gethsemane, not having yet passed the brook Cedron, Joh 18:1. Our Lord, who was now going to act as high priest for the whole human race, imitates in his conduct that of the Jewish high priest on the great day of expiation; who, in order to offer up the grand atonement for the sins of the people: - 1. Washed himself, and put on clean linen garments. This Christ appears to have imitated, Joh 13:4. He laid aside his garments, girded himself with a towel, etc. There is no room to doubt that he and his disciples had been at the bath before: see Joh 13:10. 2. The high priest addressed a solemn prayer to God: 1. For himself this Christ imitates, Joh 17:1-5. 2. For the sons of Aaron: our Lord imitates this in praying for his disciples, Joh 17:9-19. 3. For all the people: our Lord appears to imitate this also in praying for his Church, all who should believe on him through the preaching of the apostles and their successors, Joh 17:20-24. After which he returns again to his disciples, Joh 17:25, Joh 17:26. See Calmet's Dict. under Expiation; and see La Grande Bible de M. Martin, in loc. I. Our Lord's Prayer for Himself, Joh 17:1-5 Father - Here our Lord addresses the whole Divine nature, as he is now performing his last acts in his state of humiliation. Glorify thy Son - Cause him to be acknowledged as the promised Messiah by the Jewish people, and as the universal Savior by the Gentile world; and let such proofs of his Godhead be given as shall serve to convince and instruct mankind. That thy son also may glorify thee - That by dying be may magnify thy law and make it honorable, respected among men - show the strictness of thy justice, and the immacu…
Open source ↗THE INTERCESSORY PRAYER. (John 17:1-26) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes--"John very seldom depicts the gestures or looks of our Lord, as here. But this was an occasion of which the impression was indelible, and the upward look could not be passed over" [ALFORD]. Father, the hour is come--(See on Joh 13:31-32). glorify thy Son--Put honor upon Thy Son, by countenancing, sustaining, and carrying Him through that "hour."
Open source ↗These words spake Jesus,.... Referring to his sermons and discourses, his words of comfort, advice, direction, and instruction, delivered in the three preceding chapters: and lift up his eyes to heaven; the seat of the divine majesty, the throne of his Father. This is a prayer gesture. It is said (c) of R. Tanchuma, that , "he lift up his face to heaven", and said before the holy blessed God, Lord of the world, &c. and this is expressive of the ardency and affection of the mind of Christ, and of his confidence of the divine favour: it shows that his mind was filled with devotion and faith, and was devoid of shame and fear, and was possessed of great freedom, boldness, and intrepidity: and said, Father; or "my Father", as the Syriac, Arabic and Persic versions read; and no doubt but he used the word Abba, which signifies "my Father", thereby claiming his interest in him, and relation to him: the hour is come; to depart out of the world, to suffer and die for his people, which was agreed upon between him and his Father from all eternity; and it was welcome to him, on account of the salvation of his people, and therefore he spoke with an air of pleasure and satisfaction; and it would be quickly over, was but an hour, as it were, though a time of great trouble, distress and darkness, and so a fit time for prayer: glorify thy Son; as man and Mediator; for as God, he needed no glory, nor could any be added to him: but it designs some breakings forth of glory upon him at his death; by supporting him under all the sorrows and sufferings of it; and in carrying him through it; so that he conquered all his people's enemies, and his own, sin, Satan, the world, and death, and obtained eternal redemption for them: and at his resurrection; by not suffering him to remain so long in the…
Open source ↗Here we have, I. The circumstances of this prayer, Joh 17:1. Many a solemn prayer Christ made in the days of his flesh (sometimes he continued all night in prayer), but none of his prayers are recorded so fully as this. Observe, 1. The time when he prayed this prayer; when he had spoken these words, had given the foregoing farewell to his disciples, he prayed this prayer in their hearing; so that, (1.) It was a prayer after a sermon; when he had spoken from God to them, he turned to speak to God for them. Note, Those we preach to we must pray for. He that was to prophesy upon the dry bones was also to pray, Come, O breath, and breathe upon them. And the word preached should be prayed over, for God gives the increase. (2.) It was a prayer after sacrament; after Christ and his disciples had eaten the passover and the Lord's supper together, and he had given them a suitable exhortation, he closed the solemnity with this prayer, that God would preserve the good impressions of the ordinance upon them. (3.) It was a family-prayer. Christ's disciples were his family, and, to set a good example before the masters of families, he not only, as the son of Abraham, taught his household (Gen 18:19), but, as a son of David, blessed his household (Sa2 6:20), prayed for them and with them. (4.) It was a parting prayer. When we and our friends are parting, it is good to part with prayer, Act 20:36. Christ was parting by death, and that parting should be sanctified and sweetened by prayer. Dying Jacob blessed the twelve patriarchs, dying Moses the twelve tribes, and so, here, dying Jesus the twelve apostles. (5.) It was a prayer that was a preface to his sacrifice, which he was now about to offer on earth, specifying the favours and blessings designed to be purchased by the merit of his…
Open source ↗17:1-26 This chapter records Jesus’ longest prayer, which is often called his “high priestly prayer.” It provides an intimate glimpse into his heart. In this prayer, which closes the farewell that began at 13:31, Jesus expressed his own concerns to his Father (17:1-8) and then turned to concerns for the church and its future (17:9-26). 17:1 Jesus looked up to heaven, assuming the traditional Jewish posture for prayer (11:41; Ps 123:1). He probably also raised his hands (Exod 9:33; 17:11; Ps 28:2). Prayers like this were said aloud so that followers could hear (John 11:41-42; 12:27-30; also Matt 11:25-30; Luke 10:21-22). • Father was Jesus’ usual way to address God, which he did six times in this prayer (see also John 11:41; 12:27). This title—unusual in Judaism—reflected Jesus’ intimacy with God. • This hour included Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, torture, death, and resurrection (see study note on 12:23). • Glorify your Son: In the Gospel of John, the cross is a place of honor. Jesus’ oneness with the Father means that if the Son is glorified, the Father will also be glorified.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπαίρω (epaírō, G1869) — to raise up (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) αἰώνιος (aiṓnios, G166) — perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively) αἰώνιος (aiṓnios, G166) — perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee μόνος (mónos, G3441) — remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere ἀληθινός (alēthinós, G228) — truthful θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… τελειόω (teleióō, G5048) — to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) σύ (sý, G4771) — thou μέ (mé, G3165) — me παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… σεαυτοῦ (seautoû, G4572) — of (with, to) thyself δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow…
Open source ↗φανερόω (phaneróō, G5319) — to render apparent (literally or figuratively) σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… σός (sós, G4674) — thine ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me
Open source ↗νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that μοί (moí, G3427) — to me καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, G230) — truly ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by…
Open source ↗ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἐρωτάω (erōtáō, G2065) — to interrogate; by implication, to request περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are σός (sós, G4674) — thine
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are σός (sós, G4674) — thine δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐκέτι (oukéti, G3765) — not yet, no longer εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the…
Open source ↗ὅτε (hóte, G3753) — at which (thing) too, i.e. when ἤμην (ḗmēn, G2252) — I was μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me φυλάσσω (phylássō, G5442) — to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight
Open source ↗ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… μισέω (miséō, G3404) — to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.
He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.
When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.