John 17:11

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].

And {G2532} now {G3765} I am {G1510} no more {G3765} in {G1722} the world {G2889}, but {G2532} these {G3778} are {G1526} in {G1722} the world {G2889}, and {G2532} I {G1473} come {G2064} to {G4314} thee {G4571}. Holy {G40} Father {G3962}, keep {G5083} through {G1722} thine own {G4675} name {G3686} those {G846} whom {G3739} thou hast given {G1325} me {G3427}, that {G2443} they may be {G5600} one {G1520}, as {G2531} we {G2249} are.

Now I am no longer in the world. They are in the world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are.

I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.

And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are.

John 17:11 is a profound verse from what is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," offered just hours before His crucifixion. In this poignant moment, Jesus shifts His focus from Himself to His disciples, acknowledging His imminent departure from the earthly realm and their continued presence in a challenging world.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' longest recorded prayer, found in John chapter 17. Spoken to God the Father in the upper room or on the way to Gethsemane, it reveals Jesus' heart for His followers. He knows they will remain in a world that often opposes God's truth and His kingdom. His prayer here is an act of intercession, laying bare His deep concern for their spiritual well-being and mission after He returns to the Father.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Departure and Disciples' Mission: Jesus states, "I am no more in the world, but these are in the world," signifying the transition of responsibility. While He is returning to the Father, His disciples are left to carry on His work, facing the very real challenges of living out their faith in a fallen world.
  • Divine Preservation and Protection: Jesus earnestly prays, "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me." The word "keep" (Greek: tēreō) implies guarding, preserving, and watching over. This highlights the vital need for divine protection for believers navigating spiritual dangers. The protection comes "through thine own name," emphasizing God's character, power, and authority as the ultimate safeguard. Proverbs 18:10 also speaks of the strength found in the Lord's name.
  • The Call to Unity: The ultimate purpose of God's keeping is "that they may be one, as we [are]." This is a central theme of Jesus' prayer for His followers. The unity sought is not mere organizational uniformity but a profound spiritual oneness, modeled after the perfect, intimate unity between the Father and the Son. This spiritual bond is crucial for the church's witness and effectiveness in the world, as further elaborated in John 17:21.

Linguistic Insights

The term "keep" (Greek: tēreō) carries the sense of guarding, preserving, and maintaining. It's a prayer for active divine oversight and protection against spiritual harm and the world's corrupting influences. The word "one" (Greek: heis) used here denotes a singular, unified essence, underscoring the deep spiritual solidarity Jesus desires for His disciples, mirroring the co-inherence of the Trinity.

Practical Application

John 17:11 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that we are in the world, but not necessarily of the world (as Jesus clarifies in John 17:16). We depend entirely on God's divine protection and power to navigate life's spiritual battles and remain faithful. Furthermore, this verse serves as a powerful call to Christian unity. Our collective witness and impact are significantly strengthened when believers strive for spiritual harmony and a shared purpose, reflecting the very nature of God Himself.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 6:9

    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

  • Proverbs 18:10

    ¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

  • John 17:12

    While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

  • John 17:18

    As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

  • John 10:29

    My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

  • John 10:30

    I and [my] Father are one.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

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