JOHN 17:20-26 Flashcards
(4 cards)
John 17:20–23 — Jesus Prays for Unity Among Future Believers
What kind of unity does Jesus want for all who believe in Him?
“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. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Analysis:
Here, Jesus turns His prayer outward—to the future. He intercedes for all who will believe in Him through the apostles’ message. His central request is for deep spiritual unity among believers—one that mirrors the eternal, inseparable bond between the Father and the Son. This is not just about getting along, but about a unity of spirit, purpose, and divine presence. Jesus desires that believers dwell in Him and in the Father, drawing strength, identity, and life from that relationship. He emphasizes that this visible unity will be a witness to the world—proof that He was sent by the Father and that the same love God has for Jesus is now extended to believers. The “glory” Jesus gives refers to the divine authority, identity, and mission passed from Father to Son to us—empowering us to live righteously, value eternal things, and win the daily spiritual battle. It is a calling to reflect God’s holiness and love through unity.
John 17:24 — Jesus’ Desire for Eternal Fellowship
What does Jesus want for those the Father has given Him?
“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.”
Analysis:
This is one of the most personal and intimate moments of Jesus’ prayer. He expresses His longing not only for believers to be united now, but to be with Him eternally, to behold His true divine glory—something that existed even before time began. His desire is not for distant admiration but for relational closeness and shared experience. Jesus wants His followers to live in His presence forever, and to witness firsthand the eternal glory and love He has with the Father. This shows Jesus’ sacrificial love: He gave His life so that we could have access to this eternal relationship. It’s also a promise—He is not only preparing a place for us, but earnestly wants us there with Him. He is making it possible through His intercession, sacrifice, and resurrection.
John 17:25 — Jesus Acknowledges the Righteous Father
What contrast does Jesus draw between the world and His followers regarding knowledge of the Father?
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.”
Analysis:
Jesus contrasts the ignorance of the world with the understanding of those who believe. The world—blind to the truth—does not recognize or submit to the Father. But Jesus, in intimate relationship with God, knows Him fully, and reveals Him to those who are open to receiving. Believers, through Jesus, have come to recognize the divine origin of Christ. This verse reveals a deep spiritual truth: true knowledge of God is relational, not merely intellectual. It also underscores the separation between the world and the Kingdom, and the need for Jesus’ continuous intercession to bridge that gap. Jesus is positioning Himself as the mediator, bringing divine knowledge to humanity and restoring access to the Father.
John 17:26 — Jesus Continues to Reveal the Father
Why does Jesus continue to make the Father known to His followers?
“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.”
Analysis:
Jesus ends His prayer with a powerful commitment: He has made the Father known and will continue to do so. This is more than a historical act—it’s an ongoing process of revelation and relationship. Jesus reveals the Father so that the divine love the Father has for the Son might be present in us. This isn’t about distant admiration; it’s about transformational love—a love that dwells within, changing how we live, love, and walk. Jesus desires to live within us through the Holy Spirit. His ongoing revelation ensures we don’t just know about God, but come to experience Him personally. It’s through this love that we become fully united with Christ. This shows Jesus’ continuous intercession and investment in our spiritual growth, so that we are empowered to walk in righteousness and ultimately be with Him eternally.
