John 17:1-11


"When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.'" (John 17:1-11 ESV)


Jesus' Prayer for Glory and Eternal Life

In this passage, Jesus begins His high priestly prayer, addressing the Father as the hour of His crucifixion approaches. The first focus of His prayer is the mutual glorification between Himself and the Father. "Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you" (v. 1). Jesus asks to be glorified in His upcoming death, resurrection, and ascension, so that through this, the Father’s love and salvation would be revealed to the world. His desire is not self-centered, but fully aimed at reflecting God's glory and fulfilling the plan of redemption.

Jesus also defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. This is not merely about future existence in heaven but an intimate, relational knowledge of God in the present. Eternal life is found in a relationship with the Father and the Son, and Jesus' mission was to reveal this truth to humanity. Discipleship, then, is deeply rooted in this personal knowledge of God, which transforms how we live now and gives us hope for eternity.

Scriptures to Study:

Philippians 2:5-11, 1 John 5:11-13, John 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:2


Jesus Reveals the Father and His Word

Jesus’ earthly ministry was centered on revealing the Father to those whom God had given Him. He says, "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me" (v. 6). To "manifest" God's name means to reveal His character, nature, and attributes. Through His life, teachings, and miracles, Jesus made the invisible God visible. He is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:3), showing us the heart of God—His holiness, love, and grace.

Furthermore, Jesus gave His disciples the Word of God. "For I have given them the words that you gave me" (v. 8). The disciples received these words and believed that Jesus was sent from God. This highlights the centrality of God's Word in discipleship. Just as the disciples received the Word, we too must cherish, meditate on, and obey God's Word, for it is through the Scriptures that we know God more deeply and are transformed by His truth.

Scriptures to Study:

Hebrews 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-20, John 14:9-10, Psalm 119:105


Jesus Prays for His Disciples' Unity and Protection

In verse 11, Jesus transitions to praying specifically for His disciples, asking the Father to protect them and keep them united. He prays, "Holy Father, keep them in your name… that they may be one, even as we are one." Jesus knows that His disciples will face challenges and persecution after His departure, so He prays for their spiritual protection and unity. The unity He desires is modeled after the perfect unity of the Father and the Son—a unity rooted in love, truth, and shared mission.

This unity is crucial for the Church’s witness to the world. Jesus' prayer shows that Christian unity is not just a superficial agreement, but a profound oneness that reflects the very nature of God. This unity is possible through the Holy Spirit, who binds believers together in love and empowers them to live out their faith in harmony with one another. As disciples of Christ, we are called to pursue unity, rooted in the truth of the Gospel, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures to Study:

Ephesians 4:1-6, John 13:34-35, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10


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Life Application Questions