John 17 - CSB Tony Evans Study Bible

17:3 Eternal life does not merely refer to an existence that lasts forever. After all, everyone will live eternally, either in heaven or in hell. To receive eternal life, then, is to enter into the divine realm with the goal of experiencing an intimate relationship with God through Jesus, a relationship that will grow throughout eternity. It is the uninterrupted, deepening knowledge and experience of God. This is the purpose for which we were created.

17:4 We bring glory to God in the same way—by pursuing his will for our lives. Do you consider completing the work he intends you to do to be as desirous and life-sustaining as eating?

17:5 Before the incarnation, before Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, before the creation week even began, God the Son eternally existed in the glorious presence of God the Father. And to this glory he would soon return.

17:11 In Scripture, names do not merely identify people but speak of their character. Therefore, Jesus was asking that God would protect them by keeping them connected to their holy and righteous Father.

17:12 The son of destruction is a reference to Judas. God knew far in advance that Judas would betray the Messiah. Understand, then, that even wickedness falls under the sovereignty of God—not because God prescribes it, but because he uses it. How much better would it be for you to fulfill God’s purposes through your obedience than through your rebellion?

17:13-14 To experience peace in the midst of suffering is for Jesus to share his joy with you, and this comes by means of confidence in his word (17:14).

17:15-16 Christians must function in this world—in our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, marketplaces, and civic arenas (17:15). Yet, we are not to adopt the world’s perspective or let it dictate our values. We must operate on earth from a heavenly perspective, God’s perspective. God’s Word is to shape our understanding of right and wrong. Though we are in the world, we must not be of it.

17:17 To be sanctified is to be set apart for God’s purposes. This process happens through internalizing the eternal truth of God’s word. Think of the Word like food. You can chew it all day, but unless you swallow it, you receive no health benefits from it. You internalize God’s Word not by merely hearing or reading it, but by trusting and obeying it. Then its work of spiritual transformation is activated in your life (see 2 Cor 3:17-18).

17:18 Jesus was sending his disciples into the world—that is, sending them on a mission. They would not be cloistered in a monastery but making their God-glorifying presence known in the culture.

17:20 The disciples/apostles with him that night would proclaim the gospel through their preaching and through their Holy Spirit-inspired writings, which would become the New Testament. Therefore, those who believe in [him] through their word includes all those who have trusted in Christ down through the ages. Jesus, then, was praying for you and me.

17:21 A football team consists of different players filling different positions with different roles. But the entire team has one purpose: reaching the goal line. Their unity (oneness) consists of pursuing that goal according to the rules of the game. The church of Jesus Christ is composed of people from every walk of life. But we have the common purpose of proclaiming the gospel and pursuing God’s kingdom agenda. Our effectiveness is determined by our unity. That’s why Satan works so hard at causing division among Christians and within churches. Being one in adherence to truth is critical to experiencing the presence and power of God (see Acts 2:1-2, 43-44; 4:24-31). Illegitimate disunity disconnects us from God and causes us to be ineffective in our lives and in our prayers (see 1 Pet 3:7).

17:23 Our involvement in the church is not trivial. We are caught up in something much bigger than us. We are called to serve the Lord in unity so that the love and glory of our Trinitarian God is visibly and powerfully manifested to a watching world.