John 17:20-21
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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 believe that you have sent me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text emphasizes that believers come to faith "through their word," meaning the apostles' preaching and teaching is the conduit for faith. This highlights the vital role of faithfully sharing the Gospel, as it’s the very means by which people will believe in Jesus across the ages.
Jesus has just finished praying for himself and his apostles, the inner circle present with him. Now, he broadens his prayer to encompass all future believers, including you and me, who will come to trust in him because of the apostles' message. This prayer isn't just for the people gathered in that room; it's an eternal petition for every soul who will ever put their faith in Christ through the preached and written word.
How does your faith connect to people who lived centuries ago? Jesus prayed that this connection would be strong and visible.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 isn't just for the disciples in the room; it extends to everyone who will ever believe in Him. He specifically mentions that belief will come ‘through their word.’ This highlights the vital role of the apostles’ preaching and writings (the New Testament!) in bringing people to faith across all generations. It means your belief today is directly linked to the foundation laid by their witness. Their words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, act as a conduit, carrying Jesus’ message and presence to you, just as they did to the first believers.
Jesus linked the unity of believers directly to the world’s belief. What does that mean for us today?
In this incredible prayer, Jesus asks not only for His followers to believe but also for them to be united. He prays, ‘that they also may be one,’ echoing the very unity He shares with the Father. This isn't about a uniform, boring sameness, but a deep, Spirit-fueled connection that transcends differences. The ultimate purpose of this unity is evangelistic: ‘that the world may believe that you sent me.’ Our disunity can be a stumbling block, but our love and oneness, mirroring God’s own relational nature, can be a powerful testament to the truth of the Gospel.
Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Verb
Refers to the act of placing faith in, relying upon, and surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is the defining characteristic of a disciple, involving both intellectual assent and a transformative trust in His person and work.
patēr · Greek Noun
The title Jesus uses for God, emphasizing the intimate, relational, and eternal Father-Son bond within the Trinity and the believers' adopted relationship with God through Christ.
heis · Greek Adjective/Numeral
A state of unity, concord, or wholeness; in a theological context, it refers to the spiritual union of believers with God and with one another, modeled after the unity of the Godhead.
kosmos · Greek Noun
This passage highlights how belief comes through hearing the message of Christ, just as John 17:20 emphasizes faith arising from the apostles' word.
Acts 4:32This verse describes the early believers being of one heart and mind, directly reflecting the unity Christ prays for in John 17:20-23 for all who believe through the apostles' message.
Ephesians 2:20-22This passage speaks of believers being built together into a spiritual house, united in Christ, which echoes the prayer for unity among all believers, not just the initial apostles, mentioned in John 17:20.
Colossians 1:23This verse speaks of being steadfast in the faith, grounded on the gospel preached, which directly connects to the idea in John 17:20 that belief comes 'through their word'.
barnesJohn 17:20: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"
Neither pray I for these alone ... - Not for the apostles only, but for all who shall be converted under the preaching of the gospel. They will all need similar grace and be exposed to similar trials. It is a matter of unspeakable joy that each Christian, however humble or unknown to men however poor, unlearned, or despised, can reflect that he was remembered in prayer by "him whom God…
cambridgeJohn 17:20: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"
20–26 . The Prayer for the whole Church 20 . Neither pray I for these alone ] More accurately, But not concerning these only do I pray (see on John 14:16 ). The limitation stated in John 17:9 is at an end: through the Church He prays for the world ( John 17:21 ). which shall believe ] The true reading gives, who believe . The future body of believers is regarded by anticipation as alrea…
The text emphasizes that believers come to faith "through their word," meaning the apostles' preaching and teaching is the conduit for faith. This highlights the vital role of faithfully sharing the Gospel, as it’s the very means by which people will believe in Jesus across the ages.
Jesus has just finished praying for himself and his apostles, the inner circle present with him. Now, he broadens his prayer to encompass all future believers, including you and me, who will come to trust in him because of the apostles' message. This prayer isn't just for the people gathered in that room; it's an eternal petition for every soul who will ever put their faith in Christ through the preached and written word.
Jesus has just finished praying for himself and his apostles, the inner circle present with him. Now, he broadens his prayer to encompass all future believers, including you and me, who will come to trust in him because of the apostles' message. This prayer isn't just for the people gathered in that room; it's an eternal petition for every soul who will ever put their faith in Christ through the preached and written word.
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The world system alienated from God, often characterized by rebellion, darkness, and ignorance of divine truth; those who live apart from God's grace.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place faith in, trust, or rely upon; specifically, the act of accepting the testimony regarding Jesus Christ's identity and mission as the Savior sent by the Father.
apostellō · Greek Verb
The act of God the Father commissioning and dispatching the Son into the human experience for the purpose of salvation.
"“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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 believe that you have se…" — The text emphasizes that believers come to faith "through their word," meaning the apostles' preaching and teaching is the conduit for faith. This highlights the vital role of faithfully sharing the…
