John 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just asking for his followers to be with him; he's expressing a deep desire for them to fully experience his glory. This glory wasn't something he newly acquired, but a gift from the Father rooted in God's eternal love for him, a love that existed before creation itself.
This prayer is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, following His Last Supper with His disciples and just before His arrest. Having already prayed for His own disciples' sanctification and unity in the preceding verses, Jesus now shifts His focus to the eternal destiny of all believers, expressing His deep desire for them to share in His divine glory. This petition is rooted in the Father's everlasting love for the Son, laying the foundation for their future union and shared experience of God's glory.
Jesus is praying to His Father, but the language He uses isn't a mere suggestion. It's a deep, powerful expression of His will.
In this prayer, Jesus uses the word "will" (θέλω in Greek) to express His desire. While it can sometimes mean a command, here it's much more profound. It's a passionate plea, a strong and earnest wish stemming from His unique relationship as the Son of God. This isn't a servant asking a master; it's a Son expressing His deepest longing to His Father. He's asking for something He knows aligns perfectly with the Father's own heart and plan. The scholars note that He's not commanding, but desiring with immense conviction, almost like a pressing wish that He deeply hopes will be fulfilled.
Jesus wants His followers not just to see His glory, but to experience it with Him. What does this 'glory' truly mean?
Jesus desires that those given to Him may 'behold His glory.' This isn't just a passive viewing. The original language suggests experiencing, participating in, and enjoying this glory. It refers to the glory of the risen and ascended Christ, the glory He was endowed with as the incarnate Son, particularly in His exalted state. It's the glory that reflects His completed work and His relationship with the Father. For us, this means more than just seeing a distant splendor; it means we will be transformed, reflecting His glory ourselves, sharing in His triumph and reign.
The reason Jesus prays this powerful prayer is rooted in something incredibly ancient – the Father's love for Him.
Jesus grounds His desire for believers to be with Him in His glory in the Father's eternal love. The phrase 'before the foundation of the world' points to a love that predates creation itself. This wasn't a love that began when Jesus arrived on Earth or when humanity sinned; it was an everlasting love between the Father and the Son. This eternal love is the ultimate reason for the plan of salvation, the source of Christ's mediatorial glory, and the guarantee that those given to Him will indeed share in His destiny. It means our salvation and future glory are rooted in God's unchanging, pre-existent affection.
Understand the original words
katabolē tou kosmou · Greek Noun
The beginning of the created order; in biblical usage, it often refers to God's eternal plan and purpose established before the creation of the universe.
This prayer, uttered just hours before his crucifixion, is Jesus' ultimate desire for his followers to share in his divine glory, a desire rooted in the Father's eternal love for him.
c. 4 BC
Birth of Jesus Christ
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, marking the beginning of his earthly ministry and the fulfillment of prophecies.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels, teaches, heals, and performs miracles, gathering disciples and confronting religious and political authorities.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, resurrects three days later, conquering death.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ascension
Following his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven, returning to the Father's presence and beginning his heavenly intercession.
c. AD 30— this verse
This passage echoes the desire in John 17:24 for believers to be 'where I am,' by speaking of Christ transforming our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body, suggesting a future shared glory.
1 John 3:2John 17:24 mentions beholding Christ's glory; 1 John 3:2 directly states that 'when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is,' linking the vision of His glory with a transformative likeness.
John 14:3Jesus promises in John 14:3, 'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also,' which is the direct fulfillment Jesus prays for in John 17:24.
Hebrews 2:9-10John 17:24 speaks of Christ's glory that the Father gave Him; Hebrews 2:9-10 connects Christ's suffering with His eventual glorification, 'that through death he might bring many sons to glory,' highlighting the Father's role in bringing Him and us to glory.
Ephesians 1:4The deep love mentioned in John 17:24, 'you loved me before the foundation of the world,' finds a parallel in Ephesians 1:4 where God 'chose us in him before the foundation of the world' out of His love.
barnesJohn 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."
I will - This expression, though it commonly denotes command, is here only expressive of desire. It is used in prayer, and it was not the custom of the Saviour to use language of command when addressing God. It is often used to express strong and earnest desire, or a pressing and importunate…
cambridgeJohn 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."
24 . Father ] Comp. John 17:1; John 17:5; John 17:11 , John 11:41 , John 12:27 . The relationship is the ground of the appeal; He knows that His ‘will’ is one with His Father’s. I will ] Comp. John 21:22 ; Matthew 8:3 ; Matthew 23:37 ; Matthew 26:39 ; Luke 12:49 . He has already granted this…
Jesus isn't just asking for his followers to be with him; he's expressing a deep desire for them to fully experience his glory. This glory wasn't something he newly acquired, but a gift from the Father rooted in God's eternal love for him, a love that existed before creation itself.
This prayer is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, following His Last Supper with His disciples and just before His arrest. Having already prayed for His own disciples' sanctification and unity in the preceding verses, Jesus now shifts His focus to the eternal destiny of all believers, expressing His deep desire for them to share in His divine glory. This petition is rooted in the Father's everlasting love for the Son, laying the foundation for their future union and shared experience of God's glory.
This prayer is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, following His Last Supper with His disciples and just before His arrest. Having already prayed for His own disciples' sanctification and unity in the preceding verses, Jesus now shifts His focus to the eternal destiny of all believers, expressing His deep desire for them to share in His divine glory. This petition is rooted in the Father's everlasting love for the Son, laying the foundation for their future union and shared experience of God's glory.
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"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." — Jesus isn't just asking for his followers to be with him; he's expressing a deep desire for them to fully experience his glory. This glory wasn't something he newly acquired, but a gift from the Fa…
