John 17:4-5
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus declares, "I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." This isn't just a summary of His life; it's a powerful statement that His very completion of the Father's work is the ultimate glorification. The original Greek suggests He finished the work in such a way that He glorified the Father, highlighting that the Father's glory is revealed through the perfect execution of Christ's mission.
Jesus is praying this prayer with his disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion, a pivotal moment where his earthly mission is reaching its culmination. He’s reflecting on his past ministry, stating that he’s brought glory to God through his teachings, miracles, and obedience. Now, he’s asking the Father to glorify him as he faces the ultimate act of obedience – his impending sacrificial death and resurrection.
Jesus doesn't just say He will glorify God, but that He has. How can a work be finished before it's fully complete?
In John 17:4, Jesus states, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." This isn't just a statement of past actions, but a declaration of fulfilled purpose. The scholars note that Jesus uses language that encompasses His entire mission, looking forward to its completion even as He prays.
A Completed Mission
The work Jesus was given was redemption. While His sacrificial death was imminent, He speaks of it as accomplished because the plan was set, the obedience was unwavering, and the outcome was assured. His entire life—His teachings, miracles, and obedience—were all directed towards this singular purpose.
Manifesting God's Glory
By fulfilling this divine assignment, Jesus didn't just do something; He God. His life and impending death were the ultimate manifestation of God's love, power, and faithfulness. The Father's glory wasn't just enhanced; it was and on earth through Christ's perfect obedience.
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Jesus asks to be glorified with the Father. What does this mean, and why is it linked to His pre-existence?
The latter part of this prayer, and the verses immediately following John 17:4, focus on Jesus asking the Father to glorify Him. The scholars point out that Jesus desires to be glorified 'with yourself' (or 'beside you'), referencing the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed.
Glory Beyond Time
This request for reciprocal glorification underscores Jesus' divine nature. He isn't asking for something new or unearned. He is asking to be restored to the full expression of the glory that was rightfully His as God, before His incarnation and earthly mission.
The Purpose of Earthly Ministry
Jesus' earthly work was a temporary state of 'emptying Himself.' Now, as His mission concludes, He seeks the restoration and public display of His eternal glory. This isn't about personal pride, but about the Father's will being fully realized, with the Son in His rightful, glorified place.
Understand the original words
ergon · Greek Noun
The divinely appointed task or mission, specifically referring to the redemptive work of Jesus in His incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection.
This prayer and its context occur at the absolute cusp of Jesus' suffering and death, the very culmination of the 'work' He accomplished. He speaks as if it's already done because the cross, though imminent, represents the completion of His obedience and the ultimate glorification of the Father.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and performing miracles, fulfilling prophecies and revealing God's character and will.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Final Week in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, teaches in the temple, institutes the Lord's Supper, and faces opposition from religious leaders.
c. 33 AD
Jesus' Arrest, Trial, and Crucifixion
Jesus is betrayed, arrested, tried by Jewish and Roman authorities, and crucified in Jerusalem, fulfilling his mission of atonement.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Prayer in the Upper Room
Immediately before his arrest, Jesus offers a profound prayer to the Father, reflecting on his ministry, his disciples, and his divine mission.
This passage directly echoes John 17:4 by discussing Christ's obedience to God's will, emphasizing His purpose to fulfill God's plan for sanctification and redemption, much like Jesus accomplished His given work.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage highlights Christ's humble obedience, mirroring Jesus' statement in John 17:4 that He accomplished the work given to Him, showing His submission to God's will even to the point of death.
Colossians 1:28-29This passage shows Paul's dedication to presenting everyone mature in Christ, aligning with Jesus' mission in John 17:4 to complete the work His Father gave Him, which ultimately aimed at the perfect presentation of believers.
John 19:30Just before His death, Jesus famously declares 'It is finished' on the cross, a direct fulfillment and echo of the prayer in John 17:4 where He states He has accomplished the work given to Him.
vincentJohn 17:4: "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."
I have glorified - I have finished (ἐδόξασα - ἐτελείωσα)The best texts read, τελειώσας, having finished; the participle defining the manner in which He had glorified the Father upon earth. So Rev.To do (ἵνα ποιήσω)Literally, in order that I should do (it).
jfbJohn 17:4: "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."
4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth—rather, "I glorified" (for the thing is conceived as now past).I have finished—I finished.the work which thou gavest me to do—It is very important to preserve in the translation the past tense, used in the original, otherwise it might be thought that the work already "finished" was only what He had done before uttering that prayer; whereas it will be obs…
Jesus declares, "I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." This isn't just a summary of His life; it's a powerful statement that His very completion of the Father's work is the ultimate glorification. The original Greek suggests He finished the work in such a way that He glorified the Father, highlighting that the Father's glory is revealed through the perfect execution of Christ's mission.
Jesus is praying this prayer with his disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion, a pivotal moment where his earthly mission is reaching its culmination. He’s reflecting on his past ministry, stating that he’s brought glory to God through his teachings, miracles, and obedience. Now, he’s asking the Father to glorify him as he faces the ultimate act of obedience – his impending sacrificial death and resurrection.
Jesus is praying this prayer with his disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion, a pivotal moment where his earthly mission is reaching its culmination. He’s reflecting on his past ministry, stating that he’s brought glory to God through his teachings, miracles, and obedience. Now, he’s asking the Father to glorify him as he faces the ultimate act of obedience – his impending sacrificial death and resurrection.
"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." — Jesus declares, "I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." This isn't just a summary of His life; it's a powerful statement that His very completion of…
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