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John Chapter Study

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

John 17 (KJV)

John chapter 17 records one of the most intimate moments in Scripture: Jesus praying to the Father just before His arrest. Often called the High Priestly Prayer, this chapter reveals His heart for His mission, His disciples, and all future believers. Jesus prays for glory, protection, sanctification, unity, love, and the eternal hope of being with Him. This prayer gives a powerful glimpse into the relationship between the Father and the Son and the spiritual foundation of every believer.

What You’ll Learn

• How Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and future believers
• What eternal life truly means according to Jesus
• Why believers are kept by the Father while still living in the world
• How God’s Word sanctifies and sets believers apart
• Why unity among believers matters for witness
• How the love of the Father is revealed through the Son

Jesus prays for His people to be kept, sanctified, unified, and filled with the Father’s love.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

John 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

John 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

John 17:21 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.

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

John 17:23 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.

John 17:24 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.

John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

John 17:26 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.

John 17:1

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Study: Jesus begins His prayer by acknowledging that the hour has come. This points to the cross, where His obedience will glorify the Father. Historically, this moment comes just before His arrest and suffering. Spiritually, Jesus shows complete surrender to the Father’s will. Practically, believers are called to seek God’s glory even in difficult seasons.

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Study: Jesus declares that the Father has given Him authority over all flesh. This authority includes the power to give eternal life. Spiritually, salvation is not earned by human effort but given through Christ. Practically, believers can rest in the authority of Jesus and the security of life that comes from Him.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Study: Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Eternal life is more than endless existence; it is relationship with God. Spiritually, the heart of salvation is knowing God through Christ. Practically, believers should pursue deeper relationship with God, not just religious activity.

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Study: Jesus speaks of His mission as completed because He is fully committed to finishing the Father’s work. His life glorified the Father through perfect obedience. Spiritually, this shows the faithfulness of Christ. Practically, believers should desire to finish the work God gives them with obedience and integrity.

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Study: Jesus speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed. This reveals His eternal nature and divine identity. Spiritually, Christ is not merely a prophet or teacher; He is the eternal Son. Practically, worship should be shaped by the glory and majesty of who Jesus truly is.

John 17:6

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Study: Jesus revealed the Father to the disciples who were given to Him. They belonged to the Father, were entrusted to the Son, and received the Word. Spiritually, discipleship begins with God’s grace and revelation. Practically, believers should treasure God’s Word as the evidence of receiving and responding to Christ.

John 17:7

Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Study: The disciples have come to understand that what Jesus has comes from the Father. His words, authority, and mission are not separate from God. Spiritually, Jesus perfectly reveals the Father’s will. Practically, believers should receive the teaching of Christ as the truth of God.

John 17:8

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Study: Jesus gave the disciples the Father’s words, and they received them. Their faith is shown by receiving His words and believing that He was sent from God. Spiritually, true discipleship receives the Word of Christ. Practically, believers should not only hear Scripture but receive it with faith and obedience.

John 17:9

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Study: Jesus specifically intercedes for those the Father has given Him. This reveals His personal care for His people. Spiritually, believers are held in the intercession of Christ. Practically, this gives deep comfort: those who belong to Jesus are not forgotten or abandoned.

John 17:10

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Study: Jesus speaks of perfect unity between Himself and the Father. Those who belong to the Son belong to the Father, and the Son is glorified in them. Spiritually, believers are brought into the care and possession of God. Practically, our lives should bring glory to Christ because we belong to Him.

John 17:11

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Study: Jesus prays for the Father to keep His disciples as He returns to the Father. He asks that they may be one, reflecting the unity of the Father and Son. Spiritually, believers are kept by God’s power. Practically, unity among believers is not optional; it reflects the heart of Christ.

John 17:12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Study: Jesus protected His disciples while He was with them. None were lost except the son of perdition, referring to Judas, in fulfillment of Scripture. Spiritually, this shows Christ’s faithfulness and God’s sovereignty even in betrayal. Practically, believers can trust that God’s plan is not broken by human failure.

John 17:13

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Study: Jesus speaks these words so His disciples may have His joy fulfilled in them. His joy is not based on easy circumstances but on fellowship with the Father and obedience to His will. Spiritually, Christ gives joy that is deeper than suffering. Practically, believers can seek joy in Him even while living in a troubled world.

John 17:14

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Study: Jesus has given His disciples the Father’s Word, and the world hates them because they no longer belong to the world. Spiritually, receiving God’s Word creates a new identity. Practically, believers should not be surprised when faithfulness to Scripture creates separation from worldly values.

John 17:15

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Study: Jesus does not ask the Father to remove His followers from the world, but to keep them from evil. Believers are called to remain present while being protected and faithful. Spiritually, mission happens in the world, not by escaping it. Practically, Christians should engage the world with truth while depending on God for protection.

John 17:16

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Study: Jesus repeats that His followers do not belong to the world. Their identity is rooted in Him, not in worldly systems or values. Spiritually, believers are set apart. Practically, Christians should live with a different allegiance, different priorities, and a different source of truth.

John 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Study: Jesus asks the Father to sanctify His followers through truth. God’s Word is truth and is the means by which believers are set apart and transformed. Spiritually, sanctification is rooted in Scripture. Practically, believers need daily exposure to God’s Word so their hearts, minds, and actions are shaped by truth.

John 17:18

As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Study: Jesus sends His disciples into the world just as the Father sent Him. Their mission flows from His mission. Spiritually, believers are not only saved from the world but sent into it as witnesses. Practically, Christian life should include purpose, witness, service, and faithfulness in everyday places.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Study: Jesus sets Himself apart for the Father’s will and the work of redemption so His followers may be sanctified through truth. Spiritually, His obedience makes our sanctification possible. Practically, believers should respond to Christ’s sacrifice by living set apart for God.

John 17:20

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Study: Jesus extends His prayer beyond the original disciples to all future believers. This includes everyone who would believe through the apostolic witness. Spiritually, believers today are included in the prayer of Christ. Practically, this should bring comfort, confidence, and gratitude.

John 17:21

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.

Study: Jesus prays for unity among all believers, modeled after the unity of the Father and Son. This unity is not shallow agreement but shared life in God. Spiritually, unity reflects the character of God. Practically, Christian unity strengthens witness so the world may believe the Father sent the Son.

John 17:22

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Study: Jesus gives His followers the glory given to Him so they may be one. This glory is connected to relationship, mission, and participation in the life of God. Spiritually, unity is a gift rooted in Christ. Practically, believers should treat unity as something sacred to protect and cultivate.

John 17:23

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.

Study: Jesus prays that believers would be made complete in unity. This unity testifies that the Father sent the Son and loves His people. Spiritually, believers are brought into the love shared between the Father and Son. Practically, love and unity among believers should visibly point people to the reality of Christ.

John 17:24

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.

Study: Jesus desires His people to be with Him and behold His glory. This points to the final hope of believers: eternal fellowship with Christ. Spiritually, the love between the Father and Son existed before creation. Practically, believers should live with eternity in view and hope anchored in being with Jesus.

John 17:25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Study: Jesus addresses the Father as righteous and contrasts the world’s ignorance with His own perfect knowledge of the Father. His disciples have come to know that He was sent by God. Spiritually, true knowledge of the Father comes through the Son. Practically, believers should remain faithful to Christ in a world that does not know God.

John 17:26

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.

Study: Jesus declares the Father’s name so that the Father’s love may be in believers and Christ Himself may dwell in them. This is the goal of His revelation: relationship, love, and union with Him. Spiritually, believers are invited into the love of God. Practically, Christian life should be lived from the reality of Christ in us and God’s love filling us.

John 17 reveals the heart of Jesus in prayer. He prays first concerning His own glorification through the completion of the Father’s work, then for His disciples who will remain in the world, and finally for all future believers who will believe through their word. This chapter defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. It emphasizes the protection of believers, sanctification through truth, and unity as a witness to the world. Jesus shows that His followers are not of the world, yet they are sent into the world with purpose. The chapter closes with Jesus’ desire that His people be with Him, behold His glory, and live in the love of the Father.

Father, thank You for revealing Your heart through Jesus. Help me to know You more deeply and to live in the truth of Your Word. Keep me from evil while I walk in this world, and sanctify me through Your truth. Teach me to value unity with other believers and to live in a way that points others to Christ. Fill me with the love You have shown through Your Son, and keep my heart focused on the hope of being with Him and beholding His glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Read John 17 slowly at least three times this week
• Memorize John 17:3 and reflect on what it means to know God
• Pray specifically for unity among believers in your church, family, or group
• Identify one area where God’s Word needs to shape your thinking or behavior
• Ask God daily to keep you from evil while you live faithfully in the world
• Encourage another believer with a reminder that Jesus prayed for His people
• Spend time thanking God for the hope of being with Christ and beholding His glory

John 17 is the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, spoken just before His arrest and crucifixion. In this prayer, Jesus first speaks to the Father about the hour that has come and asks to be glorified so that He may glorify the Father. He defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, showing that salvation is deeply relational. Jesus then prays for His disciples, asking the Father to keep them, protect them from evil, sanctify them through truth, and preserve their unity. He makes clear that His followers are not of the world, yet they are sent into the world with purpose. Jesus also prays for all future believers who would believe through the disciples’ word, asking that they may be one as the Father and Son are one. This unity serves as a witness to the world that the Father sent the Son and loves His people. The chapter ends with Jesus expressing His desire for believers to be with Him, behold His glory, and experience the love of the Father in them. John 17 calls believers to know God deeply, live in truth, pursue unity, remain set apart, and rest in the love and intercession of Christ.

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