16:33 16:33

John 17:1

17:2 17:2

Bible Versions

¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
These words {G5023} spake {G2980} Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} lifted up {G1869} his {G846} eyes {G3788} to {G1519} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Father {G3962}, the hour {G5610} is come {G2064}; glorify {G1392} thy {G4675} Son {G5207}, that {G2443} thy {G4675} Son {G5207} also {G2532} may glorify {G1392} thee {G4571}:
After Yeshua had said these things, he looked up toward heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you —
When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee:

Context of John 17:1

John 17:1 marks the solemn beginning of what is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," delivered just before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. This profound prayer immediately follows Jesus' final discourses to His disciples in the Upper Room (John 13-16). Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven, a posture of earnest supplication, signifying direct communication with the Father. It is a moment of intense intimacy and divine purpose, as Jesus prepares to fulfill the ultimate act of redemption.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Arrival of "The Hour": Jesus declares, "the hour is come." In John's Gospel, "the hour" (Greek: hē hōra - ἡ ὥρα) is a recurring, significant motif, referring not merely to a specific time but to the divinely appointed culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry. This "hour" encompasses His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension – the very events that bring about salvation and His ultimate glorification. It signifies the perfect timing of God's sovereign plan.
  • Mutual Glorification of Father and Son: The central request is, "glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." This highlights the profound, interdependent relationship within the Godhead. The Father glorifies the Son by enabling Him to perfectly accomplish His mission on the cross and then exalting Him to His rightful place at the Father's right hand. In turn, the Son glorifies the Father by His perfect obedience, His sacrificial death, and His successful completion of the redemptive work (as Jesus states in John 17:4). This mutual glorification is the ultimate purpose of Jesus' earthly life and passion.
  • Divine Purpose and Obedience: Jesus' prayer underscores His complete alignment with the Father's will. He is not merely facing an inevitable fate, but actively embracing the preordained purpose for which He came into the world, demonstrating perfect obedience even unto death (Philippians 2:8).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the hour" (hē hōra) is critical in John's Gospel. Early in His ministry, Jesus often stated that "My hour is not yet come" (John 2:4) or that no one could seize Him because "his hour was not yet come" (John 7:30). Here in John 17:1, the declaration "the hour is come" signals that the long-awaited, divinely ordained moment for His ultimate sacrifice and triumph has finally arrived, marking the climax of His redemptive work.

Practical Application

John 17:1 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God's Timing is Perfect: Just as Jesus' "hour" arrived precisely as ordained, we can trust in God's perfect timing for our lives and the fulfillment of His purposes.
  • Living for God's Glory: Jesus' primary concern was the glorification of the Father. This challenges us to make God's glory the ultimate aim of our lives, seeking to honor Him in all we do, even through trials and suffering.
  • Prayer in Crisis: Jesus' example of lifting His eyes to heaven and praying before His greatest trial teaches us to turn to God in earnest prayer, especially during challenging times, seeking His strength and guidance.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 13:31

    ¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

  • John 13:32

    If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

  • Philippians 2:9

    Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

  • Philippians 2:11

    And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • John 17:4

    I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

  • John 17:5

    And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

  • John 12:23

    And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
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