20'I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will trust in me through their word, [17:21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may trust that you sent me. [17:22] The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [17:23] I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to completion as one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. [17:24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. [17:25] Righteous Father, even though the world has not known you, I have known you, and these people have known that you sent me. [17:26] I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.'
JHN 17:20-26
Prayer for All Believers
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, unity was a rare and highly valued concept, often tied to communal identity and survival. Jewish communities emphasized covenantal unity under God, while Greco-Roman society prized social cohesion within households and civic institutions. The prayer for unity among believers would have resonated deeply in a context where divisions—ethnic, religious, and social—were stark. The term '' (world) here likely refers to the broader human order, often seen as hostile or indifferent to divine purposes. The '' (glory) given to believers reflects the Jewish understanding of God's visible presence, akin to the Shekinah in the Temple. The call for believers to be '' (perfected) suggests a process of maturation and completion, aligning with Jewish and Stoic ideals of moral and communal wholeness. This unity was not merely internal but also a witness to the ',' demonstrating the divine mission of Jesus.
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How other translations render this
JHN 17:20
- KJV
- Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
- BSB
- I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
- Koinōnos
- I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will trust in me through their word,
JHN 17:21
- KJV
- That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
- BSB
- that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
- Koinōnos
- that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may trust that you sent me.
JHN 17:22
- KJV
- And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
- BSB
- I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—
- Koinōnos
- The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
JHN 17:23
- KJV
- I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
- BSB
- I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
- Koinōnos
- I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to completion as one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
JHN 17:24
- KJV
- Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
- BSB
- Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
- Koinōnos
- Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
JHN 17:25
- KJV
- O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
- BSB
- Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.
- Koinōnos
- Righteous Father, even though the world has not known you, I have known you, and these people have known that you sent me.
JHN 17:26
- KJV
- And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
- BSB
- And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”
- Koinōnos
- I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 17:21
- the:The word translated 'the world' here often referred to the created order, but in this context, it carries the sense of humanity alienated from God, or the system of human society opposed to divine will.
JHN 17:22
- glory:The word translated 'glory' here implies not just honor or splendor, but the visible manifestation of God's inherent nature and majesty, often associated with a radiant light or presence.
JHN 17:23
- perfected:The word translated 'perfected' means to bring something to its intended goal or completion, not necessarily implying moral flawlessness, but rather reaching a state of maturity or fulfillment.
JHN 17:25
- righteous,:The word translated 'righteous' describes someone who is in right relationship with God and humanity, acting in accordance with divine and moral standards, often implying justice and integrity.