John 17
John Chapter 17, Explained
John 17 lets us listen in as Jesus prays, on the night before He dies, the longest recorded prayer He ever offered. He prays first for Himself, that the Father would glorify Him as the hour of the cross arrives, and He defines eternal life simply: to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Then He prays for His disciples, and remarkably, for us, for all who will believe through their message. His great desire is that His people would be one, united in love as He and the Father are one, kept safe from evil, and finally with Him to see His glory. It is a window into the love at the center of God and His care for every believer.
Key verses from John 17
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
John 17:3
“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 17:21
The main point
John 17 is about Jesus praying for His people to know God, to be one, and to be kept until they are with Him.
How John 17 points to Jesus
In this prayer Jesus intercedes for us by name before He goes to the cross, and He still lives to pray for us. Eternal life is knowing Him, and He has secured that life and that unity for all who believe.
Want to sit with this chapter for yourself? Open The Living Bread to read John 17 in full, ask any question about it, and pray with others, free.