ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for John 17

John 17:1 Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, a customary posture in prayer (compare Ps. 123:1). the hour has come. See note on John 2:4. The opening petition glorify your Son implies a claim to deity, since God will not give his glory to another (see Isa. 42:8; 48:11).

John 17:2–3 That they know you implies an intimate relationship with God as a person. the only true God. See Deut. 6:4; John 5:44. Jesus, in turn, is the “one-of-a-kind” Son sent by the Father (see 1:14; 18; 3:16; 18).

John 17:2 The Father’s granting of authority over all flesh to Jesus (compare 5:27) marks the start of a new era (see Isa. 9:6–7; Dan. 7:13–14; see also Matt. 11:27; 28:18). “All flesh” means the whole human race.

John 17:5 Jesus again claims that he existed before the world existed (see 1:1; 14; 3:13; 6:62; 8:58; 16:28; 17:24). The universe is not eternal but was created by God. Jesus speaks of a sharing of glory between the Father and the Son prior to creation, implying that this has been the case from all eternity.

John 17:6 Jesus’ revelation of God’s name includes making known the Father’s works and words (see 1:18; 8:19; 27; 10:38; 12:45; 14:9–11).

John 17:9 Those whom you have given me are those who have believed or who would come to believe in Christ (see vv. 2, 6, 12; also 6:37; 39; 10:29).

John 17:11 I am no longer in the world. See note on 16:28. keep them. From denying Christ. Holy Father. This is the only time in the NT that this form of address refers to God the Father (see Lev. 11:44; compare Ps. 71:22; 111:9; Isa. 6:3). that they may be one, even as we are one. There should be a unity among believers that reflects the unity between God the Father and God the Son.

John 17:12 your name. Jesus came in God the Father’s authority and represented the Father’s entire character. son of destruction. Judas.

John 17:14 your word. Jesus’ own life and teachings, which are the revelation of himself as the Word of God (1:1, 14).

John 17:15 keep them. The central request of the prayer is repeated (see v. 11). from the evil one. That is, Satan. But the Greek can also mean “from evil” (see esv footnote). See 1 John 5:19.

John 17:16 Those who believe in Christ are not of the world (see 3:3–8). They have different desires, different goals, and a different God.

John 17:17 Sanctify them. The sanctification of Christians is a lifelong process. It involves separation from evil and growth in moral purity in attitudes, thoughts, and actions. This occurs in the truth, that is, as Christians believe, think, and live according to “the truth” in relation to God, themselves, and the world. your word is truth. God’s Word (the Bible) is truth itself and is the standard against which everything else must be tested.

John 17:18 I have sent them into the world. Jesus actually declares that he is sending them in 20:21. He repeats that commission at his ascension (Matt. 28:19–20).

John 17:21 that they may all be one. See v. 11 and note; v. 22. In us refers to the believer’s spiritual union with God and to the personal fellowship resulting from that union.

John 17:22 Glory probably refers to the excellence of God’s character as shown in Jesus’ life (see 1:14). given to them. Christians reflect God’s excellency in their own lives, in imitation of Christ.

John 17:24 The whole purpose of salvation is communicated in this verse. It begins now, but its completion comes after this life. See includes the idea of entering into and experiencing something. You loved me before the foundation of the world implies that love and interaction among the members of the Trinity has existed eternally (compare v. 5).

John 17:26 your name. See note on 5:43. I in them. Compare 14:20; 17:23. God lived in the midst of Israel in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), and he frequently assured his people that he was in their midst (Ex. 29:45–46; Deut. 23:14).