ScriptureDepth's study of John 17
“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,”
John 17:20
Jesus prays to the Father for future believers who will come to faith through the disciples' word, setting in motion the unity and mission of the church.
What John 17 is about
Jesus begins by praying for his glorification, asking the Father to 'glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you' (vv. 1-5). He states that he has accomplished the work given to him and reveals his relationship with God.
He then prays for his disciples, noting that they were given to him and have kept God's word (vv. 6-10). Jesus emphasizes their unity and asks the Father to protect them. In verses 11-19, he requests protection and sanctification for them, stating, 'Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.' He expresses his intention to send them into the world as he was sent. Jesus continues his prayer for future believers in verses 20-23, asking for unity among all who believe in him. Finally, in verses 24-26, he expresses his desire for eternal fellowship with them, stating, 'that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.'
Jesus expresses a desire for believers to experience eternal fellowship and the love of the Father.
John 17 at a glance
- John 17:1–5Jesus Prays for His Glorification
- John 17:6–10Jesus Prays for His Disciples
- John 17:11–19Prayer for Protection and Sanctification
- John 17:20–23Prayer for Future Believers
- John 17:24–26Desire for Eternal Fellowship
Key verse: John 17:20
One thing to notice
Verses 1-5 focus on Jesus’ personal glorification, while verses 6-19 shift to prayers for the disciples, followed by prayers for future believers in verses 20-26. This structure shows the broad scope of Jesus’ concern for both present and future followers.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read John 17 (WEB)
Jesus Prays for His Glorification John 17:1–5
1Verse 1. Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2Verse 2. even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3Verse 3. This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4Verse 4. I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5Verse 5. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples John 17:6–10
6Verse 6. I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 7Verse 7. Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, 8Verse 8. for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9Verse 9. I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
10Verse 10. All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
Prayer for Protection and Sanctification John 17:11–19
11Verse 11. I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 12Verse 12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13Verse 13. But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
14Verse 14. I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15Verse 15. I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16Verse 16. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17Verse 17. Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. 18Verse 18. As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. 19Verse 19. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
Prayer for Future Believers John 17:20–23
20Verse 20. Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, 21Verse 21. that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22Verse 22. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23Verse 23. I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
Desire for Eternal Fellowship John 17:24–26
24Verse 24. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25Verse 25. Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 26Verse 26. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about John 17
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in John 17
Prayer
In this chapter, Jesus prays earnestly to the Father, beginning in verses 1-5 with a request for his glorification, stating, 'Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you.' His prayer transitions to his disciples in verses 6-19, where he intercedes for their protection and sanctification. This indicates Jesus' deep concern for both his relationship with the Father and the well-being of his followers.
Explore prayer in the Bible →Unity
Unity is a significant aspect of Jesus' prayer, especially in verses 20-23. In this section, Jesus prays for all future believers, asking that 'they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.' His desire for unity demonstrates that believers should share a common faith and connection, modeled after the relationship between the Father and the Son.
Discipleship
Discipleship is articulated through Jesus' relationship with his followers in this chapter. In verses 6-10, he acknowledges that the disciples have 'kept your word,' showing their commitment. In vv. 18-19, he states, 'As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world,' indicating their role in continuing his mission. This theme highlights the responsibilities of disciples and the transformative journey they undertake under Jesus' guidance.
Divine Glory
Divine glory surfaces prominently in Jesus' prayer, particularly in verses 1-5 where he requests, 'Glorify your Son,' referring to the glory he possessed 'before the world existed.' Additionally, in verses 22-23, he states, 'The glory which you have given me, I have given to them,' highlighting the shared glory between Jesus and his disciples. This connection between Jesus and the Father lays a foundation for the glory imparted to his followers.
Chapter outline
How John 17 unfolds
John 17:1–5 Jesus Prays for His Glorification
Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven, requesting the Father to glorify Him so He can glorify the Father, emphasizing His divine authority and pre-existence.
John 17:6–10 Jesus Prays for His Disciples
Jesus tells the Father he has 'revealed your name' to the men given him out of the world, who 'have kept your word' (v. 6); he prays for them, not for the world, since they are the Father's (v. 9).
John 17:11–19 Prayer for Protection and Sanctification
Leaving the world, Jesus asks the Father to keep the disciples in his name 'that they may be one' (v. 11), kept from the evil one rather than taken out of the world (v. 15), and prays 'Sanctify them in your truth' (v. 17).
John 17:20–23 Prayer for Future Believers
Jesus widens the prayer past the disciples to 'those also who will believe in me through their word' (v. 20), asks that they all be one, and gives them his glory 'that the world may know that you sent me' (v. 23).
John 17:24–26 Desire for Eternal Fellowship
He expresses His wish for believers to be with Him in glory, concluding with a declaration of His ongoing revelation of the Father’s name.
Key verses
John 17:20Jesus prays to the Father for future believers who will come to faith through the disciples' word, setting in motion the unity and mission of the church.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying John 17
- observeIn v11, what does Jesus ask the Father to keep them through?
- observeWhat does Jesus mean by 'sanctify them in your truth' in v17?
- interpretIn v12, why does Jesus mention 'the son of destruction' when praying for His disciples?
- interpretIn v20, what does Jesus imply by praying 'not for these only' but also for future believers?
- applyWhen have you felt a need for unity, like Jesus expresses in v21?
For Bible groups
Study John 17 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo John 17
- Romans 8John 17:22 and Romans 8:29Both express unity: John 17:22 says, 'that they may be one,' while Romans 8:29 states, 'to be conformed to the image of his Son.'
- John 14John 17:2 and John 14:6Both declare authority: John 17:2 notes, 'he will give eternal life,' while John 14:6 states, 'No one comes to the Father, except through me.'
- John 1John 17:5 and John 1:1Both emphasize pre-existence: John 17:5 speaks of glory before creation, while John 1:1 states, 'the Word was with God.'
- John 8John 17:17 and John 8:32Both emphasize truth: John 17:17 states, 'Your word is truth,' while John 8:32 declares, 'the truth will make you free.'
- 1 John 5John 17:3 and 1 John 5:20Both speak of eternal life: John 17:3 states, 'that they should know you,' while 1 John 5:20 affirms, 'this is the true God, and eternal life.'
- John 15John 17:17 and John 15:3Both speak of cleansing through the word: John 17:17 states, 'Sanctify them in your truth,' while John 15:3 affirms, 'you are already pruned clean.'
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with John 17
Studied in
Where John 17 comes up on ScriptureDepth
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- John: the whole bookJohn states his purpose outright: "these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son…
- 30-Day Gospel Journey, day 29Day 29 of 30: Gethsemane to the Judgment Seat.
- FaithWhat the Bible says about faith, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
John 17: frequently asked questions
What is John 17 about?+
What is the key verse in John 17?+
What are the main themes of John 17?+
Studying John with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.