Overview
John 17 features the profound prayer of Jesus, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, spoken on the eve of His crucifixion. This chapter is a deep and intimate communication between the Son and the Father, where Jesus prays not only for Himself but also for His disciples and for all future believers. He begins by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father, emphasizing the completion of the work given to Him and the revelation of God's name to the men given out of the world. Jesus then shifts His prayer to His disciples, asking for their protection, unity, and sanctification in the truth. The latter part of the chapter extends His petitions to all those who will believe through the disciples' message, praying that they may all be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is desired so that the world might believe in Jesus' divine mission. This historical account not only provides insight into the spiritual priorities of Jesus but also underscores the themes of unity, mission, and the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son.