Introduction
John 17 lets us listen in as Jesus prays to his Father on the night before the cross. It’s called the “High Priestly Prayer,” because Jesus intercedes for his people like a priest. He prays for himself, for his disciples, and, amazingly, for us: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (v. 20).
Context
After the Upper Room teaching (John 13-16), Jesus “lifted up his eyes to heaven” (v. 1) and prayed. Right afterward, he crossed the Kidron Valley to the garden where he’d be arrested (18:1).
Passage Overview
Jesus prays that the Father will glorify the Son so the Son can glorify the Father, and defines eternal life: “that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (v. 3). He prays for his disciples’ protection, joy, and holiness: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (v. 17). He prays for future believers to be one, “so that the world may believe” (v. 21), and to be with him to see his glory (v. 24).
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Verses 1-5: Jesus Prays for Himself
“The hour has come.” Jesus asks to be glorified, not for selfish reasons, but so that the Father would be glorified through the cross. Eternal life isn’t just endless existence; it’s knowing God personally (v. 3). Jesus asks to return to the glory he had “before the world existed” (v. 5), a claim to eternal deity.
Verses 6-19: Jesus Prays for His Disciples
Jesus asks the Father to “keep them in your name” (v. 11) and “from the evil one” (v. 15). He doesn’t ask that they be removed from the world, but protected in it. They’re “not of the world” but “sent into the world” (vv. 16, 18). “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (v. 17). God makes us holy through Scripture.
Verses 20-23: Jesus Prays for Us
Jesus prays for everyone who would believe through the apostles’ message, which includes every Christian today. His request: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (v. 21). Christian unity reflects the unity of the Trinity and shows the world that the Father sent the Son.
Verses 24-26: To Be With Him
“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory” (v. 24). Jesus’ deepest wish for us is that we’d be with him forever.
Key Themes
- Eternal life is knowing God.
- Jesus intercedes for his people.
- Protection in the world, not removal from it.
- Sanctification through God’s word.
- Unity that points the world to Christ.
Gospel Connection
A high priest offered sacrifices and prayed for the people. Jesus is both priest and sacrifice: right after this prayer, he went to offer himself on the cross. And he still prays for us: “he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). If you belong to Christ, Jesus has prayed for you by name.
Application
- Pursue knowing God, not just knowing about him.
- Stay in the world, but don’t be shaped by it.
- Let the word sanctify you. Read Scripture to be changed.
- Work for unity. Is there a broken relationship in your church to mend?
- Rest in his prayers. Jesus intercedes for you today.
Discussion Questions
- How does Jesus define eternal life in verse 3?
- Why doesn’t Jesus pray for his disciples to be taken out of the world?
- How does God’s word sanctify us?
- Why is Christian unity so important to Jesus?
- How does it feel to know Jesus prayed for you (v. 20)?
- What’s Jesus’ final desire for his people in verse 24?
- What’s one way you could promote unity among believers this week?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is John 17 called the High Priestly Prayer?
In John 17 Jesus intercedes for himself, his disciples, and all future believers on the night before the cross. Like a priest standing between God and the people, he prays for their protection, holiness, and unity. The name highlights his ongoing role as our advocate (Hebrews 7:25).
What does Jesus pray for believers today in John 17?
In verses 20-26 Jesus prays for everyone who would believe through the apostles’ message. He asks that they would be one, sharing the unity he has with his Father, so the world would believe. He also asks that they would be with him and see his glory.
How does John 17 define eternal life?
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the one real God, and knowing Jesus, the Christ he sent (John 17:3). Eternal life is not just endless existence. It is a personal relationship with God that begins now through faith and continues forever in his presence.
What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?
Jesus asks the Father to keep his followers in the world while guarding them from Satan (John 17:15-16). Christians live fully in society, yet their identity and values come from God. They are sent into the world as Jesus was sent (v. 18).
Prayer
Father, thank you that eternal life is knowing you and Jesus Christ whom you sent. Keep me from the evil one. Sanctify me in the truth; your word is truth. Make your people one, so that the world may believe. And thank you, Jesus, that you pray for me and want me with you to see your glory. Amen.
Related: Devotional on Eternal Life
Related: our devotional: Devotional on Unity
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.