13“But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Interesting Words
made full
(πληρόω – Greek) – pléroó ► to fill, to make full, to complete, to fulfill, the idea of filling something to its full capacity or bringing something to completion. (from plērēs, “be full,” plḗthō) – properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is “meet” (appropriate). Perfect tense shows completed action to culmination in finished, continuing results. – Matt 1:22-23; John 16:24; Rom 8:4;
given
(δίδωμι – Greek) – didómi ► to offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. Again perfect tense shows completed action with continuing results.
hated
(μισέω – Greek) – miseó ► To hate, detest, abhor, love less, esteem less, strong aversion or rejection, often in the context of moral or spiritual opposition. – Matt 24:9-10; Luke 6:22; John 3:20;
sanctify
(ἁγιάζω – Greek) – hagiazó ► to make holy, treat as holy, to consecrate, to set apart as holy for a sacred purpose, hallow, purify, derived from ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “holy” or “sacred.”, through the work of the Holy Spirit, aligning them with God’s will – 1Peter 2:9, 10, 3:15; John 10:36, 37-38;
one
(εἷς – Greek) – heis ► one, primarily used as the numeral “one.” Often used in the Old Testament to denote the number one or unity, as seen in the Shema (Deut 6:4). In Greek, it signifies singularity and unity. Translated “unity” in John 17:23. – Acts 4:32; Rom 12:4-5; Gal 3:28;
Cross References
▪︎ Giving others the word – 1Cor 2:4; Col 1:25; 2Tim 2:2, 4:2;
▪︎ Hated by the world – Matt 5:10; John 16:33; 2Cor 4:9;
▪︎ God wants us to be united – John 10:27-28, 29-30; Phil 2:2;
Discussion Questions
1. What does the study of God’s Word do in our lives? Why is it essential?
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2. What are some reasonable explanations for why people hate Christians?
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3. If Jesus sends us into the world as He was sent (John 17:18), what are some key ministry elements that are essential?
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4. How can we be successful in this endeavor?
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5. What is Jesus asking of us to be sanctified?
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6. What are the essential elements (key ingredients) in being “one” in the current day? What is the difference between being “one” (John 17:21) and living in “unity” (John 17:23)?
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7. How does knowing God effect our efforts for Jesus?
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