John 17

The Son prays to be glorified

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: John 17:1–2

Jesus prays as the Son to His Father. The Father has given Him power to give eternal life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 12:23 — "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."

Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent

Jesus — "Jehovah saves"; Christ — "the Anointed One"

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3

Eternal life is to truly know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ — two distinct Beings, the Father and the Son He sent.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by D&C 132:24 — "This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent."

The finished work

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4

Jesus speaks of the work His Father gave Him as already accomplished, fully committed to finishing it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by John 19:30 — "It is finished."

Glory before the world was

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:5

Jesus remembers the glory He had with the Father before the earth was created and asks to return to it — clear witness of His premortal life as Jehovah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 93:7 — "He was in the beginning, before the world was."
• alludes to John 1:1-2 — The Word was in the beginning with God.

The Son who manifests the Father's name

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. John 17:6–8

Jesus came to make the Father known. His disciples received His words and knew He came from the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 1:18 — "The only begotten Son... he hath declared him."

Intercessor for His disciples

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. John 17:9–12

Jesus pleads with the Father for His apostles, like a high priest carrying his people before God. He has protected all of them except Judas.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 19:23 — Jesus prays for the Nephite disciples "that we may be one."
• fulfilled by John 18:9 — "Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none."
• fulfils Psalm 41:9 — The scripture of the betraying friend.

Sent by the Father, sending His apostles

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:13–18

Jesus, not of the world, sends His apostles into it just as the Father sent Him, praying they be kept from evil and filled with His joy.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

The High Priest who sanctifies Himself

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:19

Like a priest consecrated for sacred service, Jesus sets Himself apart as the offering so His followers can be made holy.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Hebrews 10:10 — "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
• typified by Exodus 29:1 — Priests hallowed to minister in the priest's office.

Intercessor for all believers

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; John 17:20–23

Jesus prays for every future believer, including us, that we may be united with each other and with the Father and the Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 35:2 — "Even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one."

Beloved before the foundation of the world

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. John 17:24–26

The Father loved the Son before the earth was made. Jesus wants His followers to be with Him and see His glory.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Ether 3:14 — "I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people."
• alluded to by Revelation 13:8 — The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.