John 17:13

KJV

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} now {G3568} come I {G2064} to {G4314} thee {G4571}; and {G2532} these things {G5023} I speak {G2980} in {G1722} the world {G2889}, that {G2443} they might have {G2192} my {G1699} joy {G5479} fulfilled {G4137} in {G1722} themselves {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But now, I am coming to you; and I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.

American Standard Version

But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 17:13, within His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus articulates the profound purpose behind His earthly ministry and His imminent return to the Father: that His disciples, and by extension all believers, might experience the fullness of His divine joy within themselves. This verse underscores the intentionality of Christ's words and actions to secure a deep, abiding spiritual well-being for His followers, a joy that transcends worldly circumstances and is rooted in their relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' profound High Priestly Prayer, recorded in its entirety in [John chapter 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). This prayer immediately follows Jesus' Farewell Discourses (John 13-16), where He prepared His disciples for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the persecution they would face. Having spoken *to* His disciples, Jesus now turns *to* the Father, interceding for them. Verse 13 specifically transitions from Jesus' declaration of having completed His work on earth (John 17:4) and His desire for His disciples to be kept from the evil one (John 17:11-12), to His ultimate purpose for their spiritual state – their joy. It serves as a bridge, connecting His earthly mission with His heavenly intercession, emphasizing that His departure is not an abandonment but a transition designed to secure their spiritual flourishing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' prayer takes place in the upper room, likely on the night of His betrayal, just hours before His arrest and crucifixion. This setting imbues the prayer with immense solemnity and urgency. The disciples were on the cusp of experiencing profound grief, confusion, and fear as their Lord was about to be taken from them. In Jewish culture, a farewell discourse or testament was a significant event, carrying the weight of a leader's final instructions and blessings. Jesus' prayer, therefore, functions as His ultimate testament, revealing His deepest concerns and desires for His followers as He prepares to fulfill His redemptive mission. The concept of "joy" in this context is not a superficial emotion but a deep spiritual state, often associated with God's presence and salvation in the Old Testament, a theme Jesus now redefines and intensifies through His own person.

* **Key Themes:** John 17:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty and Purpose of Jesus' Ministry**. Every word and action of Jesus, including His final prayer, is intentional and directed towards the spiritual benefit of His followers. His mission is not merely to teach but to transform, to impart a divine reality. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Nature of True Joy**. This is not a fleeting worldly happiness, but a profound, Christ-originated joy that can endure even amidst tribulation, as Jesus promised in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World"). It is a joy that stems from a secure relationship with God, a participation in the divine life, and the knowledge of God's love and salvation, which Jesus Himself perfectly embodied. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Jesus' Return to the Father** and its implications. His departure, though seemingly a loss, is presented as a necessary step for the disciples' ultimate good, paving the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would empower them and enable them to experience this promised joy fully, as discussed in [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Necessity of the Spirit's Coming").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Joy (Greek, _chará'_):** (G5479) This term signifies a deep-seated gladness and delight, a spiritual well-being that is independent of external circumstances. Unlike fleeting happiness, _chará_ denotes a calm, abiding delight that is a fruit of the Spirit, stemming from one's relationship with God rather than from worldly pleasures or favorable conditions. Jesus desires His disciples to possess this profound, inner contentment.
* **Fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** (G4137) Meaning "to make replete," "to cram," "to fill to the brim," or "to complete." When applied to joy, it suggests that Jesus desires His disciples to experience His joy not partially or superficially, but in its absolute fullness, completion, and saturation within their being. It implies a comprehensive and satisfying experience of this divine joy, leaving no room for lack.
* **Speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** (G2980) This verb means "to talk" or "to utter words." In this context, it refers to Jesus' entire body of teaching, His warnings, His promises, and indeed, this very prayer itself. It highlights the intentionality and efficacy of Christ's verbal communication throughout His earthly ministry, emphasizing that His words are not merely informative but performative, designed to bring about a specific spiritual outcome in His hearers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now come I to thee":** This clause signifies Jesus' imminent departure from the earthly realm and His return to the Father in heaven. It marks the culmination of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His exaltation. This is not a casual statement but a declaration of a pivotal transition, emphasizing the completion of His redemptive work on earth and His impending re-entry into the divine glory He shared with the Father before the world began, as mentioned in [John 17:5](/john/17-5 "John 17:5 - Jesus' Prayer for Glorification").
* **"and these things I speak in the world":** This refers to all of Jesus' teachings, revelations, warnings, and prayers that He has uttered during His earthly ministry. It encompasses the entirety of His verbal communication to His disciples and to the world. The phrase "in the world" underscores the context of His mission – amidst humanity, in a fallen creation, where His words served as light and truth, guiding His followers through the darkness.
* **"that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.":** This is the explicit purpose clause, revealing the ultimate intention behind Jesus' words and His departure. The "joy" is specifically "my joy," indicating a unique, divine joy that originates from Christ Himself. It is not a human-generated happiness but a supernatural gladness rooted in communion with God and the assurance of salvation. The desire is for this joy to be "fulfilled" or "made full" within the disciples, meaning they would experience it completely, deeply, and abundantly, making it an intrinsic part of their inner being, even in the face of suffering or tribulation.

#### Literary Devices
John 17:13 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Purpose Clause**, introduced by "that they might have," which clearly articulates the teleological aim of Jesus' words and actions. This structure highlights divine intentionality, showing that Christ's entire ministry was not random but precisely designed to achieve a specific spiritual outcome for His followers. The repeated use of **Personal Pronouns** like "I," "thee," "my," and "themselves" emphasizes the deeply personal and relational nature of this prayer and the communion between the Father, the Son, and the disciples. It underscores Jesus' intimate relationship with the Father and His profound care for His own. Furthermore, there is **Thematic Repetition** of "joy" throughout Jesus' Farewell Discourses (e.g., [John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - Jesus' Desire for His Disciples' Joy") and [John 16:24](/john/16-24 "John 16:24 - Asking and Receiving Joy")), which culminates in this prayer, signifying its importance as a central fruit of abiding in Christ and a key inheritance for believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:13 encapsulates a profound theological truth: that the ultimate desire of Christ for His followers is their complete and abiding joy, a joy that is not contingent on external circumstances but is rooted in their relationship with Him and the Father. This "my joy" is a participation in the very joy of God, a joy that Jesus Himself possessed in His perfect communion with the Father. It is a spiritual well-being that transcends worldly happiness, enabling believers to thrive even amidst tribulation and persecution. The verse reveals that Jesus' entire ministry, including His teachings and His sacrificial departure, was purposefully directed towards imparting this divine gladness, ensuring that His followers would be sustained by an inner spring of delight. This joy is a testament to the finished work of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live a life of spiritual abundance.

* [John 15:11](/john/15-11 "Jesus' Desire for Abiding Joy")
* [1 Peter 1:8](/1_peter/1-8 "Joy Inexpressible and Full of Glory")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Rejoice in the Lord Always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 17:13 serves as a profound assurance to believers today: the joy of Christ is not an elusive ideal but a divine inheritance intended for us. This verse invites us to recognize that Jesus' words, recorded in Scripture, are not merely historical accounts but living truths designed to cultivate a deep, abiding joy within our hearts. This joy is not found in the absence of problems or the pursuit of worldly pleasures, but in the enduring presence of God, the certainty of His sovereign plan, and the security of our redemption in Christ. To experience this "fulfilled" joy, we must actively engage with Jesus' words, trust in His finished work on the cross, and cultivate a consistent communion with Him through prayer and obedience. It reminds us that our spiritual flourishing, marked by an overflowing joy in Him, is God's ultimate desire for His children, sustaining us through all of life's challenges as we await our eternal home.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for "my joy" to be "fulfilled in themselves" in your own life?**
* **How does understanding Jesus' intentionality in speaking these things "in the world" shape your view of His ministry and the purpose of His words for you today?**
* **In what ways can you actively pursue and cultivate the "joy of Christ" amidst the challenges and uncertainties of your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the "joy" Jesus refers to in John 17:13?**

Answer: The "joy" Jesus refers to (Greek, _chará_) is not a fleeting, emotional happiness dependent on circumstances, but a deep, abiding, spiritual gladness that originates from Christ Himself. It is a divine joy that Jesus possessed in His perfect communion with the Father, and which He desires to share fully with His disciples. This joy is rooted in a secure relationship with God, the knowledge of His love, and the assurance of salvation, enabling believers to experience peace and contentment even amidst tribulation, as He promised in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World"). It is a fruit of the Spirit, a supernatural well-being that transcends worldly conditions.

**Why does Jesus say He speaks "these things in the world" if He is about to return to the Father?**

Answer: Jesus states that He speaks "these things in the world" to emphasize that His entire earthly ministry, including His teachings, warnings, promises, and even this very prayer, was purposefully delivered within the human experience and within the context of a fallen world. His words were not merely for His own sake but were specifically designed to prepare His disciples for His departure and to cultivate a lasting, divine joy within them. Even as He prepares to return to the Father, His focus remains on the spiritual welfare of those He leaves behind, ensuring that His words would continue to bear fruit in their lives, empowering them to experience His joy fully. This highlights the enduring power and purpose of His words, even after His physical absence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 17:13 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality that Jesus, through His completed work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, has made it possible for humanity to partake in His very own divine joy. His departure to the Father was not an abandonment but a necessary step to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would indwell believers and empower them to experience this supernatural joy, as promised in [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Necessity of the Spirit's Coming"). The "joy" Jesus speaks of is not merely a human emotion but a participation in the eternal delight of the Godhead, a foretaste of the joy that awaits believers in His presence. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit, cultivated as we abide in Christ ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - Abiding in Christ for Joy")), and it is a sign of the Kingdom of God within us ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit")). Ultimately, Christ's entire redemptive mission, from His incarnation to His ascension, was purposed to bring us into a relationship with God where His joy could be fully realized in us, enabling us to live lives of overflowing gladness, even amidst suffering, knowing that our ultimate hope is found in Him ([1 Peter 1:8](/1_peter/1-8 "1 Peter 1:8 - Joy Inexpressible and Full of Glory")).

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.

Cross-References

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

John 15:11

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.

John 3:29

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

John 16:24

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

1 John 1:4

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.