Jesus Prays for All Believers in John 17:20-26
Quick Summary
In John 17:20–26, Jesus extends his prayer beyond the disciples sitting with him to include all future believers. His intercession centers on unity, love, and the revelation of God’s glory. This passage captures the heart of the High Priestly Prayer—Jesus looking down the corridors of history and praying for us.
Introduction
The High Priestly Prayer crescendos in John 17:20–26 as Jesus prays not only for his disciples but also for those who will believe through their testimony. Here, Jesus’ vision extends to the universal church, the community of faith across centuries and cultures. This is one of the most breathtaking moments in the Gospels: the Son of God interceding for future believers—including you and me.
The themes of this prayer—unity, love, and glory—are not abstract. They are the lifeblood of Christian witness in the world. Jesus longs that his followers would be one, not as an optional ideal but as a reflection of the very unity of Father and Son. He asks that believers may share in the glory given to him and be perfected in love. In a fragmented world, this prayer stands as both challenge and comfort.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown of John 17:20–26 and Commentary
John 17:20 – Jesus Prays for Future Believers
Jesus says, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” The scope of his prayer is remarkable. It’s not limited to the apostles but reaches forward to all who will come to faith through their witness.
The church is born through testimony. The disciples’ word becomes the seed of faith across the generations. Every believer is, in some way, the fruit of this prayer.
John 17:21 – That They May All Be One
Unity is Jesus’ first petition for the future church: “that they may all be one.” This unity mirrors the oneness between Father and Son. It is not uniformity but communion—a spiritual bond grounded in God’s own life.
The purpose of unity is missional: “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The credibility of the gospel hinges on the visible oneness of believers. Division obscures Christ; unity reveals him.
John 17:22 – The Glory Given to Believers
Jesus declares, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them.” Glory here refers to the revelation of God’s character in Jesus. Astonishingly, that glory is shared with believers.
Glory is not limited to dazzling visions; it is the radiant reality of God’s presence shaping a community. The church glorifies God not by worldly power but by reflecting the love and truth of Christ.
John 17:23 – Perfected in Unity and Love
Jesus prays that believers may be brought to complete unity: “that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” The phrase “perfected in unity” means maturity in fellowship and love.
The witness of the church is not its size or success but its love. When believers live in reconciled community, the world sees a glimpse of divine love. Evangelism is as much about embodied unity as spoken words.
John 17:24 – To Be With Jesus and See His Glory
Jesus prays, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.” This longing anticipates eternal fellowship. The final goal of salvation is to be with Christ and behold his glory.
Glory here is tied to love: “you loved me before the foundation of the world.” The church’s destiny is to share in this eternal love, to be caught up in the communion of Father and Son.
John 17:25 – Righteous Father, the World Does Not Know You
Jesus acknowledges the contrast: “the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me.” Knowledge of God is not intellectual only but relational, rooted in Jesus’ revelation of the Father.
Believers, however limited, know the essential truth—that Jesus is the one sent by God. This knowledge is transformative, binding them to God’s life.
John 17:26 – The Love of the Father in Believers
The prayer closes with a climactic request: “I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Here Jesus prays that the very love the Father has for the Son would dwell in believers. This is staggering: the church is not merely loved by God but loved with the same love the Father has for Jesus. This love is not abstract—it takes root in lived community and witness.
Theological Significance and Meaning for Today
Jesus prayed for us. This passage reminds believers that we are not afterthoughts in God’s plan. Jesus saw us and prayed for us before we existed.
Unity is mission. Division weakens witness. Unity, grounded in Christ, reveals God’s reality to the world.
Glory is shared. The church is not a passive spectator but a participant in God’s glory, reflecting his presence in the world.
Love is central. At the heart of Christian faith is not rule-keeping or abstract doctrine but divine love—Father, Son, and Spirit dwelling in believers.
Destiny is communion. The final goal is to be with Jesus, sharing in his glory and eternal fellowship with God.
FAQ
1. Why does Jesus pray for future believers?
Because the mission of the gospel depends on testimony. Every believer comes to faith through the witness of others, beginning with the apostles. Jesus foresaw this chain of faith and interceded for all who would come to believe.
2. What kind of unity is Jesus asking for?
Not institutional uniformity but spiritual communion reflecting the oneness of Father and Son. This unity is relational, grounded in love and truth.
3. How does unity affect evangelism?
Unity authenticates the gospel. Jesus ties the world’s belief in him to the visible unity of his followers. Division undermines witness; unity strengthens it.
4. What does it mean that believers receive Jesus’ glory?
It means sharing in the revelation of God’s presence. Believers don’t become divine, but they reflect God’s character and love as revealed in Christ.
5. How does this passage connect to eternal life?
Jesus prays that believers would be with him and see his glory. The ultimate destiny of the church is eternal fellowship with Christ in the presence of the Father.
6. How can the Father’s love for Jesus dwell in us?
Through the indwelling of Christ by the Spirit. This is more than affection; it is the very life of God poured into believers, shaping them into a community of love.
Works Consulted
Raymond Brown, John (AYB), vol. 2, John 13–21.
D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (PNTC).
Gail O’Day, John (NIB).
Craig Keener, The Gospel of John.
Andreas Köstenberger, John (BECNT).
