Analysis of John Chapter 17
John Chapter 17 is often referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus, as it captures a profound and intimate moment between Jesus and the Father. This chapter is a culmination of Jesus’ teachings and actions throughout His ministry, revealing His deepest intentions and desires for His followers. The chapter is divided into three major sections: Jesus prays for Himself (verses 1-5), Jesus prays for His disciples (verses 6-19), and Jesus prays for all believers (verses 20-26). Each section provides a unique insight into Jesus’ mission and His relationship with the Father, His disciples, and all future believers.
Jesus Prays for Himself (Verses 1-5)
In the opening verses of this chapter, Jesus lifts up His eyes to heaven and begins His prayer. Here, He addresses God as “Father,” emphasizing the intimate and personal relationship He shares with God.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1)
Jesus acknowledges that “the hour has come” – a phrase that signifies the impending fulfillment of His mission through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The concept of “glory” is central in these verses; Jesus prays for the Father to glorify Him so that in turn, He may glorify the Father. This reciprocation of glorification highlights the mutual love and honor between Jesus and the Father.
Furthermore, Jesus speaks about the authority given to Him over all people, to grant eternal life to those given to Him by the Father. In verse 3, He defines eternal life not just as an unending existence but as a relationship:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
Here, eternal life is understood as a profound, personal, and experiential knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This verse connects eternal life to the intimate relationship between believers and God, contrasting it with mere intellectual assent or obedience.
Jesus then reflects upon His ministry, affirming that He has completed the work the Father gave Him to do, and thus He seeks to be glorified in the presence of the Father with the glory He had before the world began. This emphasizes Jesus’ pre-existence and divinity, suggesting that His mission on earth was part of a larger, grander divine plan.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples (Verses 6-19)
In this section, Jesus shifts His focus from Himself to His immediate disciples. He begins by acknowledging that He has revealed the Father to the disciples – those whom the Father had given Him out of the world. The disciples’ response of obedience and belief is highlighted, affirming their acceptance of Jesus’ message and their recognition of Him as sent by God.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” (John 17:6)
Jesus makes several important requests on behalf of His disciples:
- Protection by the power of the name of God, so that they may be one as Jesus and the Father are one (verse 11).
- Protection from the evil one, as they are not of the world even as Jesus is not of the world (verse 15).
- Sanctification by the truth, with God’s word being the truth (verse 17).
The first request for protection and unity underscores the importance of the communal aspect of the disciples’ relationship. Jesus desires that they remain united in purpose and spirit, reflecting His unity with the Father. This unity is a testament to the divine nature of their fellowship.
The second request for protection from the evil one acknowledges the spiritual battles and temptations the disciples will face. Jesus does not ask for their removal from the world but prays for their strength and resilience against spiritual adversities.
The third request for sanctification reveals Jesus’ concern for the disciples’ spiritual growth and holiness. Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God’s purposes, and Jesus identifies God’s word as the means by which this sanctification is accomplished. This highlights the transformative power of Scripture in the believers’ lives.
Moreover, Jesus clarifies that His sanctification is for their benefit:
“For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:19)
This indicates that Jesus’ own dedication and sacrifice are intended to enable the disciples to achieve true sanctification, reinforcing the notion of His role as the mediator and high priest.
Jesus Prays for All Believers (Verses 20-26)
In the final section, Jesus extends His prayer to encompass all future believers – those who will come to faith through the message of the disciples. Here, Jesus’ vision broadens to the global Church, reflecting His inclusive and universal mission.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:20-21)
Unity remains a central theme. Jesus prays that all believers may be one, mirroring the unity between Him and the Father. This unity is not merely organizational but deeply spiritual, rooted in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus emphasizes that this unity serves a higher purpose: so that the world may believe that the Father has sent Him. The unity of believers is a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the divine origin and authenticity of Jesus’ mission.
Furthermore, Jesus expresses His desire for believers to be with Him and to see His glory:
“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.” (John 17:24)
This verse reveals Jesus’ longing for an eternal and intimate fellowship with believers, allowing them to fully experience His divine glory and love. It underscores the eschatological hope of believers being united with Christ in His heavenly glory.
Finally, Jesus concludes His prayer by affirming His continued revelation of the Father’s name and love to the believers:
“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.” (John 17:26)
This emphasizes the ongoing, dynamic relationship between Jesus and believers, facilitated by the continuous revelation of God’s love. It highlights the transformative and abiding presence of Jesus within believers, enabling them to embody the divine love in their lives.
Conclusion
John Chapter 17 offers a profound and comprehensive portrayal of Jesus’ heart and mission. His prayer encapsulates themes of glory, unity, protection, sanctification, and love, providing a deep insight into His relationship with the Father, His disciples, and all future believers. Through this prayer, Jesus not only intercedes for His followers but also reveals the ultimate purpose of His mission: to bring people into an intimate and eternal relationship with God, characterized by divine love and unity. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual inheritance and calling of all believers, encouraging them to live in unity, holiness, and love, reflecting the glory of God to the world.