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John 17 · a question people ask

"None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (17:12). Who is the son of destruction, and which Scripture?

In the text

Here is the whole verse: "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (17:12). Jesus doesn't name him, and he doesn't say which Scripture he means. These notes don't name him or the Scripture either, and say no more of "the son of destruction" than the verse says.

The verses

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
John 17:12 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 17

John 17: 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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Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions