The Setting: The Last Hours Before the Cross

Jesus prays this prayer on the morning of what will be the crucifixion, after leaving the upper room where He celebrated Passover with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Table. In chapters 13–16 of John, He promised peace, joy, blessing, and even the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now, in chapter 17, He prays that God the Father will fulfill all these promises, ensuring His work and His people are glorified.

These are the final words of Jesus to the eleven disciples before His arrest. It is a moment long-awaited in redemptive history, a pivotal point where heaven and earth converge in prayer.

Why Does Jesus Pray If He Is God?

One of the most common questions people ask is: If Jesus is God, why does He pray to God?

The answer lies in the mystery of the Incarnation—Jesus is fully God and fully human. In His humanity, He relates to the Father in dependence, obedience, and communion. This doesn’t diminish His divinity; it reveals the relationship within the Trinity.

John 17 doesn’t create confusion—it actually clarifies that Jesus shares eternal glory with the Father. Jesus is also teaching through prayer and is allowing His followers to hear, understand and participate. It’s about shaping the heart of those listening.

Key Theme #1: Glory

Jesus begins His prayer with:

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son…”

Throughout the chapter, “glory” is a central theme. Jesus speaks of:

• The glory He had before the world existed
• The glory revealed through His earthly mission
• The glory that will be restored after the cross

This is a powerful statement of His divine nature. No mere human could claim eternal glory shared with God. Jesus desires that His followers may one day see the glory He shared with the Father before the world began. This eternal glory motivates believers to live faithfully and reminds us that our ultimate hope is in God’s eternal kingdom.

Key Theme #2: Eternal Life Is Knowing God

One of the most important verses in the chapter defines eternal life:

“This is eternal life, that they know you…”

This changes everything.

Eternal life is not just:

• Living forever
• Going to heaven
• Knowing religious facts

It is knowing God personally.

This kind of knowing is:

• Experiential, not just intellectual
• Relational, not just informational
• Ongoing, not one-time

It’s similar to deep personal relationships—built on connection, not just knowledge.

Key Theme #3: Protection in the World

Jesus makes a striking request:

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

This reveals an important balance:

• Believers are not removed from the world
• But they are protected within it

Jesus prays for protection from “the evil one,” pointing to a deeper reality:

• Life includes spiritual conflict
• Faith involves resistance and perseverance

But this is not meant to produce fear. Even though challenges, fears, and spiritual struggles are real—but so is divine protection.

Key Theme #4: Sanctification (Being Set Apart)

Jesus prays:

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

To be sanctified means:

• Set apart for God
• Made holy
• Transformed by truth

This doesn’t mean isolation from society. It means living differently—guided by truth rather than culture.

Key Theme #5: Unity Among Believers

One of the most powerful parts of the prayer is Jesus’ request for unity:

“That they may all be one…”

This unity is not about:

• Denominations
• Institutions
• External structures

It is spiritual unity—shared identity in Christ.

Many believers experience this in real life: meeting another Christian and instantly feeling a deep connection. That’s the unity Jesus prayed for.

Key Theme #6: Jesus Prays for You

One of the most remarkable truths in John 17 is this:

Jesus explicitly prays for future believers—that includes us.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word…”

This means:

• You were on His mind
• Your faith was anticipated
• Your life matters in God’s plan

Key Theme #7: Jesus Desires Relationship

Near the end of the prayer, Jesus says:

“I desire that they also… may be with me where I am.”

This is deeply personal.

Jesus doesn’t just save people from something—He saves them for relationship with Him. If you are reading this blog post and you haven’t accepted Jesus into your heart, I want you to know that Jesus desires a relationship with you too. He would love to be your friend. Please click this link and say the prayer out loud. Please reach out to us on our contact page and let us know you received Jesus into your heart, we’d love to rejoice with you.

Jesus desires to be present in your live, to stay connected to you and to share HIs glory with you.