John 17:20

KJV

¶ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither {G1161}{G3756} pray I {G2065} for {G4012} these {G5130} alone {G3440}, but {G235} for {G4012} them also {G2532} which shall believe {G4100} on {G1519} me {G1691} through {G1223} their {G846} word {G3056};

Complete Jewish Bible

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will trust in me because of their word,

Berean Standard Bible

I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,

American Standard Version

Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 17:20 stands as a pivotal moment within Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, transcending His immediate circle of disciples to encompass all future believers across time. Spoken just hours before His crucifixion, this verse reveals the expansive, eternal scope of Christ's intercession, demonstrating His profound love and foresight for the entire Church that would come to faith through the apostolic witness. It is a powerful affirmation of His ongoing commitment to those who would believe in Him throughout history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 17:20 marks a significant transition within Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," which unfolds in three main movements. The prayer begins with Jesus interceding for Himself and His glorification (John 17:1-5), setting the stage for His sacrificial work. He then shifts to pray specifically for His eleven apostles, those whom the Father had given Him, asking for their protection, sanctification, and unity in the face of the world's hostility (John 17:6-19). John 17:20 then broadens the scope dramatically, extending His intercession beyond this immediate group to all who would subsequently believe through their testimony. This expansion naturally leads into Jesus' fervent prayer for the [unity of all believers](/john/17-21-23 "John 17:21-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity") in the following verses, emphasizing that the future Church's unity is a direct outcome of His intercession and the apostolic message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prayer is uttered in the solemn atmosphere of the Upper Room, following the Last Supper and just prior to Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. It reflects the Jewish tradition of prayer, particularly the role of a leader or priest interceding for his community. The disciples, predominantly Galilean Jews, were about to face immense persecution and the daunting task of spreading the Gospel. Jesus' awareness of the future, including the global reach of His message, transcends typical human foresight. The cultural understanding of "word" (λόγος) as a powerful, authoritative declaration, particularly in a rabbinic context, underscores the weight of the apostles' future testimony. This setting highlights the gravity of Jesus' impending sacrifice and His deep concern for the continuity and expansion of His spiritual family.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Christ's Intercessory Ministry**, portraying Jesus not merely as a teacher or miracle-worker, but as the great High Priest who continually prays for His people (a theme echoed in [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Secondly, it highlights the **Power and Authority of Apostolic Testimony**. The phrase "through their word" emphasizes that the Gospel would spread not by force or human wisdom, but by the faithful proclamation of the apostles' eyewitness accounts and teachings, which would later form the foundation of the New Testament Scriptures (cf. [Acts 2:42](/acts/2-42 "Acts 2:42 - The Apostles' Teaching")). Finally, it implicitly lays the groundwork for the **Unity of the Church**, as Jesus' prayer for future believers sets the stage for His subsequent plea for their oneness, reflecting the divine unity He shares with the Father (as seen in [John 17:21](/john/17-21 "John 17:21 - Prayer for Unity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pray (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** This word, G2065, means "to interrogate" or, by implication, "to request," "beseech," "desire," or "intreat." While it can mean "to ask a question," in the context of prayer, it signifies a direct and earnest request. Here, Jesus is not merely asking, but making a solemn, intercessory appeal to the Father on behalf of His followers.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," or "to credit." By implication, it means "to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." This term denotes active trust, reliance, and commitment to Jesus, not merely intellectual assent. It is the fundamental response required for salvation and union with Christ.
* **through (Greek, _diá'_):** G1223, a primary preposition denoting "the channel of an act." It signifies the means or instrument by which something occurs. In this verse, it explicitly states that belief in Jesus will come "through" the word of the apostles, establishing the foundational role of their message as the divinely appointed conduit for faith.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** G3056, meaning "something said (including the thought)," "a topic," "reasoning," or "a computation." In this context, it refers to the message, teaching, or testimony of the apostles concerning Jesus Christ. It encompasses their preaching, their eyewitness accounts, and the inspired truth they would communicate, which would eventually be recorded as the New Testament.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither pray I for these alone,"**: Jesus clarifies that His intercession is not limited to the eleven disciples present with Him at that moment. The "these" refers specifically to the apostles for whom He has just prayed in the preceding verses (John 17:6-19). This opening clause immediately broadens the scope of His High Priestly prayer, signaling a shift from a specific group to a much larger, future community.
* **"but for them also which shall believe on me"**: This is the expansive heart of the verse. Jesus extends His prayer to include all future generations of believers. The phrase "shall believe" (G4100, _pisteúō_) emphasizes a future act of faith, highlighting Jesus' divine foreknowledge and His active concern for all who would ever place their trust in Him. This demonstrates the universal reach of His redemptive work and His ongoing care for His Church throughout history.
* **"through their word;"**: This crucial phrase specifies the means by which future believers will come to faith. "Their word" refers to the message, testimony, and teaching of the apostles—the very disciples for whom Jesus had just prayed. It underscores the foundational role of the apostolic witness, both spoken and written (which would become the New Testament Scriptures), as the divinely ordained instrument through which the Gospel would be proclaimed and faith ignited in the hearts of subsequent generations.

#### Literary Devices
John 17:20 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Expansion**, as Jesus deliberately broadens the scope of His prayer from His immediate disciples to an innumerable future multitude. This highlights the universal and enduring nature of His redemptive work. There is also clear **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus anticipates the global spread of the Gospel through the apostolic mission, a mission that would only commence fully after His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The phrase "through their word" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "word" stands for the entire content of the apostolic message, including their eyewitness accounts, teachings, and the inspired Scriptures that would preserve their testimony. Finally, the entire prayer, including this verse, is a profound act of **Intercession**, showcasing Christ's role as the mediator between God and humanity, continually advocating for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:20 is profoundly significant, establishing the foundational truth that Christ's intercessory work extends to every believer across history. It affirms that the Church is not an afterthought but a central part of God's redemptive plan, foreseen and prayed for by Jesus Himself. This verse underscores the vital link between the apostolic witness and the birth of faith, emphasizing that genuine belief in Christ is always rooted in the authoritative proclamation of His truth. It also implicitly highlights the unity of the Church, as all who believe "through their word" are brought into one body, a theme Jesus elaborates on immediately after this verse. This prayer provides immense assurance, knowing that our faith is not merely a human decision but a response to a divine call, sustained by the ongoing intercession of our High Priest.

* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")
* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 17:20 offers profound comfort and a clear call to action for every believer. To know that Jesus, in the gravest hour before His crucifixion, specifically prayed for *you*—if you have put your faith in Him through the message passed down by the apostles—is an overwhelming demonstration of His personal, enduring love and commitment. This truth should instill deep assurance, reminding us that our salvation is not an accident but a divinely purposed reality, secured by Christ's intercession. It underscores that our faith is not a private, isolated experience but a participation in a grand, historical movement initiated by Jesus Himself. Furthermore, this verse validates and empowers the mission of the Church: just as people believed through the apostles' word, so too are we called to share the Gospel. Our witness, however imperfect, becomes the very means God uses to bring others into the fold, extending the reach of Christ's prayer and fulfilling His commission to make disciples of all nations. This should inspire us to faithfully proclaim the truth, trusting that God will use our testimony to bring others to faith, just as He did through the apostles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing that Jesus prayed for you personally before His crucifixion impact your sense of security and belonging in Christ?**
* **In what ways does this verse affirm the authority and necessity of the apostolic message (found in the New Testament) for genuine faith?**
* **Considering that belief comes "through their word," how does this motivate you to share the Gospel and uphold the truth of Scripture in your own life and community?**
* **How does Jesus' expansive prayer for future believers shape your understanding of the Church's global mission and unity?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus literally pray for me, personally, in John 17:20?**

Answer: Yes, in a profound and deeply personal sense. While Jesus did not use your specific name, His prayer for "them also which shall believe on me through their word" explicitly includes every individual who would ever come to faith in Him through the message proclaimed by His apostles. This means that if you are a believer today, you are a direct object of this specific prayer uttered by Jesus before His crucifixion. It highlights His divine foreknowledge and His comprehensive, eternal care for every member of His future Church. It's a powerful assurance that your faith is not an accident, but a part of God's sovereign plan, anticipated and interceded for by Christ Himself.

**What does "their word" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "Their word" (Greek: _lógos_) refers to the message, teaching, and testimony of the apostles—the immediate disciples for whom Jesus had just prayed in [John 17:6-19](/john/17-6-19 "John 17:6-19 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples"). This encompasses their eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, their inspired teachings about His person and work, and the Gospel message they would proclaim. This "word" was initially spoken, but it was also preserved and transmitted through the New Testament Scriptures, which are the authoritative record of the apostolic teaching. Therefore, "their word" is the foundational, divinely-revealed truth about Jesus Christ that continues to be the instrument by which people come to saving faith (cf. [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")).

**How does this verse relate to evangelism and missions?**

Answer: John 17:20 provides a foundational theological basis for evangelism and missions. It explicitly states that future believers will come to faith "through their word," meaning through the proclamation of the Gospel message by those who have received it. This underscores the essential role of human testimony and preaching in God's plan for salvation. It implies that the Church, as the inheritor of the apostles' mission, is called to continue sharing this "word" so that others may believe. Jesus' prayer for those who would believe through this word serves as both a divine mandate and an assurance that God will work through the faithful witness of His people to bring about His purposes, thereby fulfilling the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 17:20 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing, multifaceted ministry of Jesus as the ascended Lord and Head of the Church. This prayer for future believers is not merely a historical utterance but a living reality, actualized through Christ's continuous intercession at the right hand of the Father (as illuminated in [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession") and [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). The "word" through which people believe is ultimately Christ Himself, the living [Logos](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), revealed through the apostolic testimony. His prayer ensures the preservation and expansion of His body, the Church, demonstrating His sovereign power to gather His elect from every tribe and nation. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ (as promised in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), empowers this "word" to penetrate hearts, bringing about the belief for which Jesus prayed. Thus, John 17:20 is a profound testament to Christ's comprehensive redemptive work, ensuring that His sacrifice on the cross would not be in vain, but would yield a multitude of believers united to Him and to one another, culminating in His glorious return and the full realization of His eternal kingdom (as envisioned in [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation")).

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

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

John 17:6

¶ I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

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].

Acts 4:4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;