THESE WORDS - The words addressed to them in the preceding chapters. They were proceeding to the garden of Gethsemane. It adds much to the interest of this prayer that it was offered in the stillness of the night, in the open air, and in the especially tender circumstances in which Jesus and his apo... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THOU HAST GIVEN HIM POWER - It was on the ground of this power given to Christ that the apostles were commanded to go and teach all nations. See the notes at Matthew 28:18. ALL FLESH - All men, Matthew 24:22; Luke 3:6. THAT HE SHOULD GIVE ETERNAL LIFE - See the notes at John 5:24. TO AS MANY AS... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL - This is the source of eternal life; or it is in this manner that it is to be obtained. The knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ is itself a source of unspeakable and eternal joy. Compare John 11:25; John 6:63; John 12:50. MIGHT KNOW THEE - The word “know” here, as in o... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE GLORIFIED THEE - In my instructions and life. See his discourses everywhere, the whole tendency of which is to put honor on God. I HAVE FINISHED THE WORK - Compare John 19:30. When he says “I have finished,” he probably means to include also his death. All the preparations for that death were m... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THINE OWN SELF - In heaven, granting me a participation of the same honor which the Father has. He had just said that he had glorified God on the earth, he now prays that God would glorify him in heaven. WITH THE GLORY - With the honor. This word also includes the notion of happiness, or every... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE MANIFESTED THY NAME - The word “name” here includes the attributes or character of God. Jesus had made known his character, his law, his will, his plan of mercy - or, in other words, he had revealed God to them. The word “name” is often used to designate the person, John 15:21; Matthew 10:22; R... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE KNOWN - They have been taught that and have believed it. HAST GIVEN ME - This refers, doubtless, to the doctrine of Christ, John 17:8. They are assured that all my instructions are of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS - The doctrines. Christ often represented himself as instructed and sent to teach certain great truths to men. Those he taught, and no others. See the notes at John 5:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
I PRAY FOR THEM - In view of their dangers and trials, he sought the protection and blessing of God on them. His prayer was always answered. NOT FOR THE WORLD - The term world here, as elsewhere, refers to wicked, rebellious, vicious men. The meaning of this expression here seems to be this: Jesus i... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM NO MORE IN THE WORLD - I have finished my work among men, and am about to leave the world. See John 17:4. THESE ARE IN THE WORLD - They will be among wicked men and malignant foes. They will be subject to trials and persecutions. They will need the same protection which I could give them if I... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE I WAS WITH THEM IN THE WORLD - While I was engaged with them among other men - surrounded by the people and the temptations of the world. Jesus had now finished his work among the men of the world, and was performing his last offices with his disciples. I KEPT THEM - By my example, instructio... [ Continue Reading ]
MY JOY FULFILLED ... - See the notes at John 15:11. The expression “my joy here probably refers to the joy of the apostles respecting the Saviour - the joy which would result from his resurrection, ascension, and intercession in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE GIVEN THEM ... - See John 17:8. THE WORLD HATH HATED THEM ... - John 15:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU SHOULDEST TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD - Though they were going into trials and persecutions, yet Jesus did not pray that they might be removed soon from them. It was better that they should endure them, and thus spread abroad the knowledge of his name. It would be easy for God to remove his... [ Continue Reading ]
See John 15:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
SANCTIFY THEM - This word means to render pure, or to cleanse from sins, 1Th 5:23; 1 Corinthians 6:11. Sanctification in the heart of a Christian is progressive. It consists in his becoming more like God and less attached to the world; in his getting the ascendency over evil thoughts, and passions,... [ Continue Reading ]
I SANCTIFY MYSELF - I consecrate myself exclusively to the service of God. The word “sanctify” does not refer here to personal sanctification, for he had no sin, but to setting himself apart entirely to the work of redemption. THAT THEY ALSO ... - 1. That they might have an example of the proper... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER PRAY I FOR THESE ALONE ... - Not for the apostles only, but for all who shall be converted under the preaching of the gospel. They will all need similar grace and be exposed to similar trials. It is a matter of unspeakable joy that each Christian, however humble or unknown to men however poo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE GLORY ... - The honor which thou hast conferred on me by admitting me to union with thee, the same honor I have conferred on them by admitting them to like union with me. MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE - Not in nature, or in the mode of existence - for this was not the subject of discourse,... [ Continue Reading ]
MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE - That their union may be complete. That there may be no jars, discords, or contentions. A machine is perfect or complete when it has all its parts and is in good order when there is no portion of it wanting. So the union of Christians, for which the Saviour prayed, would... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL - This expression, though it commonly denotes command, is here only expressive of desire. It is used in prayer, and it was not the custom of the Saviour to use language of command when addressing God. It is often used to express strong and earnest desire, or a pressing and importunate wish, s... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH NOT KNOWN THEE - See the notes at John 17:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY NAME - See the notes at John 17:6. AND WILL DECLARE IT - After my resurrection, and by the influence of the Holy Spirit, Luke 24:45; Acts 1:3. I IN THEM - By my doctrines and the influences of my Spirit. That my religion may show its power, and produce its proper fruits in their minds, Galatia... [ Continue Reading ]