Jesus highlights a stark contrast: while the world remains in ignorance, Jesus and His disciples share a unique, intimate knowledge of the Father, which is the very foundation for their relationship and future glory. This isn't just intellectual assent; it's a deep, transformative knowing rooted in Jesus' identity and mission.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus, concluding his prayer for his followers, contrasts their knowledge of God with the world's ignorance. He emphasizes that while the world rejects the Father, he intimately knows Him, and his disciples, through his revelation, have come to know that the Father sent him. This affirmation sets the stage for his final expression of desire for his disciples to be with him and share his glory.
Why does Jesus call God 'Righteous Father' right here, right now? It’s more than just a title – it’s a foundation for his prayer.
Jesus addresses God as 'O righteous Father.' This isn't just a gentle nod to God's character; it’s a powerful statement that grounds Jesus' prayer for his disciples.
A Righteous Judge
The 'righteousness' of God speaks to His perfect justice and moral integrity. It means He always does what is right. Benson highlights that this righteousness is key when Jesus prays for believers to be glorified, as it connects to the 'crown of righteousness' and God’s justice in admitting believers into His presence through Christ.
Defying the World
Calling God 'righteous' also defies the world's ignorance and rejection. Calvin points out that this title shows that the world's opinions or rejection don't diminish God's honor. His righteousness stands firm, regardless of the world's disbelief. This reminds us that God's actions, including His saving work through Jesus, are rooted in His perfect, unwavering justice.
Jesus draws a stark line between two realities: the world's blindness and the intimate knowledge shared by Him and His followers.
This verse powerfully contrasts the 'world' with Jesus and His disciples. The 'world' here represents humanity alienated from God, caught in its own ways.
A World Unknowing
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The commentary notes emphasize that this ignorance isn't accidental. The world 'knew not' God—His nature, His plans, His love. Paul describes this as wilful and practical ignorance (Romans 1:18-23). This blindness leads to the rejection of God's messengers, including Jesus himself.
Christ's Unique Knowledge
Jesus, however, has perfect knowledge of the Father. He states, 'I know you.' This is an intimate, inherent knowledge flowing from His divine nature and unique relationship as the Son. Benson notes that Jesus was perfectly acquainted with the Father's counsels and designs.
Disciples' Glimpse of Truth
Crucially, Jesus adds, 'and these know that you have sent me.' While the world remains in darkness, the disciples have come to know the Father through Jesus. Their knowledge isn't innate like Christ's; it's a response to His revelation. As Poole suggests, their 'knowing' includes receiving and embracing Him as the Messiah sent by the Father.
Understand the original words
dikaios · Greek Adjective
Possessing moral integrity, purity, and justice; it describes God’s perfect character, which is always in accordance with His holy standards.
onoma · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, a name represents the essence, character, nature, and authority of a person. Making God's name known signifies revealing His true character and identity to others.
agapē · Greek Noun
A profound, self-sacrificial, and unconditional commitment to the well-being of another. Biblically, it is not merely an emotion but an action, most perfectly manifested in God's nature and His redemptive work through Christ.
This prayer, uttered just hours before Jesus' crucifixion, is steeped in the immediate context of His impending suffering. The 'world's' rejection of Him and His Father stands in stark contrast to the intimate knowledge shared by Jesus and His disciples, highlighting the profound spiritual chasm and the ultimate vindication Jesus anticipates.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Galilean Campaign
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and calling disciples throughout Galilee. His growing popularity and claims create tension with religious authorities.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry in Judea
Jesus moves his ministry to Judea, including Jerusalem. His teachings become more confrontational, especially regarding the established religious order.
Passover, c. 30 AD
Last Supper and Upper Room Discourse
Jesus shares the Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and delivering the farewell discourses found in John chapters 13-16, preparing them for his departure.
Passover night, c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' High Priestly Prayer
In the hours before his arrest, Jesus offers a profound, intimate prayer to the Father for himself, his disciples, and all future believers, recorded in John 17.
Passover night, c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following the prayer, Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and subjected to trials before Jewish and Roman authorities.
Passover night, c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha and buried in a tomb, fulfilling the mission he prayed about.
This passage directly links the 'Word' (Jesus) becoming flesh with 'grace and truth,' mirroring John 17:25's emphasis on Jesus revealing the Father to those who know Him.
John 15:21This verse highlights the world's rejection of Jesus because they do not know the One who sent Him, directly echoing the contrast drawn in John 17:25 between the world's ignorance and the disciples' knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:21Paul echoes the sentiment of John 17:25 by explaining how the world, in its wisdom, failed to know God, and how God chose to reveal Himself through the 'foolishness' of preaching Christ.
1 John 4:6This passage contrasts those who 'know God' with those who do not, aligning with the core theme in John 17:25 where Jesus distinguishes between the world's ignorance and His followers' knowledge of the Father.
Matthew 11:27Jesus states that no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him, providing a foundation for the disciples' knowledge of the Father through Jesus as presented in John 17:25.
barnesJohn 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."
Hath not known thee - See the notes at John 17:3 .
cambridgeJohn 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."
25, 26 . Summary 25 . righteous Father ] The epithet (comp. John 17:11 ) harmonizes with the appeal to the justice of God which follows, which is based on a simple statement of the facts. The world knew not God; Christ knew Him; the disciples knew that Christ was sent by Him. ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ hath not known ] Better, knew not . So a…
Jesus highlights a stark contrast: while the world remains in ignorance, Jesus and His disciples share a unique, intimate knowledge of the Father, which is the very foundation for their relationship and future glory. This isn't just intellectual assent; it's a deep, transformative knowing rooted in Jesus' identity and mission.
Jesus, concluding his prayer for his followers, contrasts their knowledge of God with the world's ignorance. He emphasizes that while the world rejects the Father, he intimately knows Him, and his disciples, through his revelation, have come to know that the Father sent him. This affirmation sets the stage for his final expression of desire for his disciples to be with him and share his glory.
Jesus, concluding his prayer for his followers, contrasts their knowledge of God with the world's ignorance. He emphasizes that while the world rejects the Father, he intimately knows Him, and his disciples, through his revelation, have come to know that the Father sent him. This affirmation sets the stage for his final expression of desire for his disciples to be with him and share his glory.
"O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 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,…" — Jesus highlights a stark contrast: while the world remains in ignorance, Jesus and His disciples share a unique, intimate knowledge of the Father, which is the very foundation for their relationship…
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Last reviewed October 2026
