John 17 - Life Application Study Bible

17:1-26 This entire chapter is Jesus’ prayer. From it, we learn that the world is a tremendous battleground where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war. Satan and his forces are motivated by bitter hatred for Jesus Christ and his forces. Jesus prayed for his disciples, including those of us who follow him today. He prayed that God would keep his chosen believers safe from Satan’s power, setting them apart and making them pure and holy, uniting them through his truth.

17:3 How do we get eternal life? Jesus tells us clearly here—by knowing God the Father himself through his Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life requires entering into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Jesus’ love lives in us by the Holy Spirit.

17:5 Before Jesus came to earth, he was one with God. At this point, when his mission on earth was almost finished, Jesus was asking his Father to restore him to his original place of honor and authority. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension—and Stephen’s dying exclamation (Acts 7:56)—attest that Jesus did return to his exalted position at the right hand of God.

17:10 What did Jesus mean when he said “they bring me glory”? We glorify God when we reveal his presence and character in the way we live. The lives of Jesus’ disciples reveal his character and show the world that he is present in them. In what ways does your life reveal Jesus’ character and presence?

17:11 Jesus was asking that the disciples be united in harmony and love as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united—in the strongest of all unions (see the notes on 17:21-23). We achieve this harmony not through structures or organizations alone but through the work of God in and between us, unifying us and drawing our own wills into sync with his own (17:3). It is important to remember, however, that though our unity is essential, we must never abandon or compromise truth simply to be unified. As we all grow closer to God together, we should find that our perspectives on the truth do the same.

17:12 Judas was “the one headed for destruction,” who was lost because he betrayed Jesus and never sought forgiveness (see Psalm 41:9).

17:13 Joy is a common theme in Jesus’ teachings—he wants us to be joyful (see 15:11; 16:24). We find immeasurable joy when we keep in intimate contact with Jesus, the source of all joy. Then we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain.

17:14 The world hates Christians because Christians’ values differ from theirs. Because Jesus’ followers don’t cooperate with the world by joining in their rebellion and hostility to God’s Word and his will, they are living accusations against the world’s immorality. Without God, the world slides into Satan’s agenda, and Satan is the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people.

17:17 A follower of Jesus becomes pure and holy by believing and obeying the Word of God (also see Hebrews 4:12). He or she has already received forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrificial death (Hebrews 7:26-27). But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess it, renews our relationship with God, and guides us back to the right path.

17:18 Jesus didn’t ask God to take believers out of the world but instead asked to use them in the world. Because Jesus sends us into the world, we should not try to escape from the world, nor should we avoid all relationships with non-Christians. As salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16), we must find ways to be more loving, more creative as we share our faith, and more consistent in staying in touch with unbelievers. God sent us to do this kind of work.

17:20 Jesus prayed for all who would follow him, including you and others you know. He prayed for unity (17:11), protection from the evil one (17:15), and holiness (17:17). Knowing that Jesus prayed for us gives us confidence as we work for his Kingdom.

17:21-23 Jesus’ great desire for his disciples was that they would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love. Are you helping to unify the body of Christ, the church? You can pray for other Christians, build them up, work with them in humility, be generous with your time and money, avoid gossip, exalt Jesus, and refuse to get sidetracked arguing over divisive matters.

17:21-23 Jesus prayed for unity among believers based on the believers’ unity with him and the Father. Christians can know unity among themselves if they are living in union with God. Each branch living in union with its vine is united with all other branches doing the same.