John - Chapter 17

John 17.1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: John 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. John 17.3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17.5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. John 17.7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. John 17.8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. John 17.9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. John 17.10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. John 17.11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17.12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17.13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17.14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. John 17.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17.18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17.19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; John 17.21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: John 17.23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17.24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17.25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. John 17.26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John : Chapter 17

The Prayer of the High Priest: A Revelation of the Heart of Jesus

Chapter 17 of the Gospel according to John offers us precious insight into the prayer of the high priest, an intimate moment when Jesus turns to the Father before his passion. This text reveals not only the profound love Jesus has for his disciples, but also for all believers who will come after them. It addresses essential themes such as divine glory, the sanctification of believers, and the unity of the Church.

John 17 invites us to meditate on the Trinitarian communion and Christ's immeasurable love for his people. To deepen our understanding of this profound and comprehensive prayer, we invite you to reflect on five biblical passages that will enrich our meditation.

Exodus 33:18-23

"Then Moses said, 'Please show me your glory.' [...] But you will not be able to see my face, for no one will be able to see me and live." This prayer of Moses, expressing the desire to contemplate divine glory, finds an answer in Jesus' prayer for mutual glorification with the Father (John 17:1-5). Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Jesus' prayer for the unity of believers (John 17:20-23) resonates with this Old Testament ideal, illustrating the importance of fellowship within the body of Christ. Daniel 7:14 To him was given authority and glory and a kingdom; and all peoples, nations, and languages ​​worshipped him. Jesus' assertion of His authority over all humanity (John 17:2) echoes Daniel's prophetic vision, emphasizing His eternal sovereignty.

Jeremiah 32:39

"I will give them one heart and one way, so that they may fear Me forever, for their own good and that of their children." Jesus' prayer for the unity of believers (John 17:20-23) reflects this prophetic ideal, calling us to a deep communion with God and with one another.

Isaiah 55:11

"So shall the word that goes forth from my mouth be: It shall not return to me empty, but shall accomplish my purpose and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Jesus' affirmation that he had finished the work the Father had entrusted to him (John 17:4) resonates with this promise of the effectiveness of God's word.

By meditating on these passages, we are invited to enter more deeply into Jesus' prayer, to understand his desire for unity and sanctification among his disciples, and to commit ourselves to living according to this divine calling.