John 17:2

As thou hast given him power Better, Even as Thou gavest Him authority. The authority was given once for all, and is the reason for the petition in John 17:1. Comp. John 5:27.

all flesh A Hebraism not used elsewhere in this Gospel. Comp. Matthew 24:22; Luke 3:6; Acts 2:17; Romans 3:20, &c. Fallen man, man in his frailty, is specially meant; but the Second Adam has dominion also over -all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea." Psalms 8:7-8. In the following texts -all flesh" includes the brute creation; Genesis 6:19; Genesis 7:15-16; Genesis 7:21; Genesis 8:17; Genesis 9:11; Genesis 9:15-17; Psalms 136:25; Jeremiah 32:27; Jeremiah 45:5. Once more, therefore, Jewish enclusiveness is condemned. The Messiah is King of -all flesh," not of the Jews only.

that he should give, &c. Literally, in order that all that Thou hast given Him, He should give to them eternal life. -All that" is neuter singular; -to them" is masculine plural. Believers are given to Christ as a united whole; they earn eternal life as individuals. Comp. John 1:11; John 6:37.