John 17 - Amplified Study Bible

17:1–2 the hour has come. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus referred to the cross as His “hour” (2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1). The time for Him to die had arrived. Glorify Your Son. Jesus was asking that His mission to the world would be made known through the cross. The reasons for this request are twofold: (1) that Your Son may glorify You. In the cross, Jesus reveals the Father to the world, that is, His love and justice, and (2) that, through Jesus’ death on the cross, God would provide forgiveness of sins and give eternal life to all those who believe in His Son.

17:3 that they may know You. Eternal life consists of a growing knowledge of the only true God as opposed to false gods.

17:11 keep them in Your name. This verse reveals Jesus’ sensitivity to the plight of His disciples brought on by His departure. He was going to the Father, but they would be left behind. Jesus asked the Father to keep them true to the revelation of God that Jesus had given to them while He was with them. The disciples would have a new union with the Father and Son through the future indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

17:14–16 of the world. This verse has profound implications for discipleship. Our desire should not be to isolate ourselves from the world, but to use Christ’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s power to serve Him while our life lasts. Yet, at the same time, we should not become like the world, succumbing to the evil influences of the world.

17:17 Sanctify them. This means “to set apart.” There are two ways to understand this statement: (1) as separate for holiness, or (2) as set apart for service. According to the first view, Jesus was praying not only that the disciples should be kept from evil, but that they should advance in holiness.

17:21 that they all may be one. The present tense of the verb “to be” indicates that Jesus was praying for the unity that takes place through the sanctification of believers. This is what Jesus was commanding in 13:34–35.

17:22 the glory. This is the revelation of Jesus Christ through His disciples and is the means to unity. Such unity begins with belief and correct thinking about Jesus and God the Father, that is, with doctrine. But correct belief must bear fruit—a life that demonstrates God’s love and produces unity between all believers.

17:23 I in them and You in Me. The mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the church is also the means to unity, the ultimate expression of God’s love (13:35; Ro 8:17).