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John 17 Bible study: I pray for them

Jesus's prayer in John 17 has the verb give 17 times: the Father has given the Son authority, people, the work, the words, his name and glory, and the Son has given them the words and the glory (17:2-24).

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“This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”
John 17:3 · World English Bible

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“In John 17:3, the words "Jesus Christ" are inside Jesus's own prayer.”

Is that in John 17, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

"Father, the time has come"

In the text

The chapter before ends with Jesus's words to his disciples, "In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world" (16:33). Then: "Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you" (17:1) (tap glorify). He goes on: "even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him" (17:2) (tap given). Then he says what eternal life is: "This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (17:3) (tap know). The WEB's John speaks of eternal life in 17 verses, and this is the only one that begins "This is eternal life". "I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do" (17:4) (tap accomplished). "Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed" (17:5). Favor's chapter on John 12 notes the Greek word behind the WEB's hour and time and builds nothing on it; these notes build nothing on 17:1's time either. They quote 17:3 and 17:5 as the WEB has them and add nothing to their words.

Where the Old Testament leads here

That they should know you

Interpretation

Exodus 5:2leads toJohn 17:3

Pharaoh says, "I don’t know the LORD" (5:2). Jesus prays, "This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (John 17:3), and "Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you" (John 17:25). Jesus doesn't cite Exodus 5, so this is a reading: some hear Jesus's prayer answering Pharaoh's question; others read it on its own.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about John 17

That was a taste

The rest of John 17 is waiting in Favor

  • "They were yours, and you have given them to me"
  • "They are not of the world"
  • "Not for these only do I pray"
  • All in his own words
  • 22 questions as you read
  • 11 more Greek words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
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The Greek word behind it

δίδωμιdidomisay DEED-o-mee

Strong's: "to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)". This one prayer has the verb 17 times (counted in RP2018), and the WEB gives it as given, gave or give all 17 times. The Father has given the Son "all things whatever you have given me" (17:7), and the Son "will give eternal life to all whom you have given him" (17:2). John's Greek has the verb 75 times (counted in RP2018). "During supper" (13:2), John's Gospel says Jesus knew "that the Father had given all things into his hands" (13:3).

For your group

John 17 Bible study questions

  1. 1"This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (17:3). What has helped you come to know God?
  2. 2"I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one" (17:15). Where would you most like to be kept this week?
  3. 3Jesus prayed "for those also who will believe in me through their word" (17:20). Who has passed Jesus's words on to you, and how could you pass them on this week?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads John 17 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

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Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

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The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

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Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home