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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 17
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_17:1-26
A. Historical Setting
1. This chapter is Jesus' High Priestly prayer for
a. Himself (Joh_17:1-5)
b. His disciples (Joh_17:6-19)
c. future followers (Joh_17:20-26)
It was given in an atmosphere of confidence, not resignation (cf. Joh_16:33).
2. This is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus.
3. This chapter is difficult to divide into subjects because the same motifs are mentioned over and over again, which is characteristic of John's writings. This is like a tapestry of recurrent patterns. The key words are "glory," "give," "know," "sent," "name," "the world," and "one."
4. There is no mention of the Holy Spirit in this chapter. This is unusual because of His prominence in chapters14-16.
B. Characteristics of Disciples in Joh_17:6-19
1. They are elect
2. They are obedient
3. They know God and Christ
4. They accept truth
5. They are prayed for by Jesus
6. They stay in the world
7. They are kept by His power
8. They are one as the Father and Jesus are one
9. They have His joy
10. They are not of this world
11. They are consecrated by truth
12. They are sent as He was sent
13. They are loved as the Father loved Jesus
C. The term "glory" in John
1. There are over 25 Hebrew words translated by the Greek term doxa in the Septuagint (LXX). The major OT term is kabod, which meant "different," "weight," "heaviness," "worthiness," "reputation," "honor," or "brightness/splendor."
2. The Greek term doxa comes from the verb "to think" in the sense of reputation.
3. There are many different connotations of this word in John
a. divine glory (cf. Joh_17:5; Joh_17:24; Joh_1:14; Joh_12:41; Joh_12:16)
b. the revelation of the Father by Jesus' signs, teachings, and Passion Week works (cf. Joh_17:4; Joh_17:10; Joh_17:22; Joh_1:14; Joh_2:11; Joh_7:18; Joh_11:4; Joh_11:40)
c. specifically the cross (cf. Joh_17:1; Joh_17:4; Joh_7:39; Joh_12:23; Joh_13:31-32)
There is obviously some fluidity between these usages. The central truth is that the invisible God is revealed in a human (i.e., Jesus Christ) by His words and acts.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is this prayer so theologically important?
2. Was Judas a believer who fell from grace?
3. What is the purpose of our unity?
4. Why is the pre-existence of Jesus important?
5. Define in this context the key terms:
a. "glorified"
b. "give"
c. "know"
d. "sent"
e. "name"
f. "world"