John 17:21

KJV

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} they all {G3956} may be {G5600} one {G1520}; as {G2531} thou {G4771}, Father {G3962}, art in {G1722} me {G1698}, and I {G2504} in {G1722} thee {G4671}, that {G2443} they {G846} also {G2532} may be {G5600} one {G1520} in {G1722} us {G2254}: that {G2443} the world {G2889} may believe {G4100} that {G3754} thou {G4771} hast sent {G649} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

American Standard Version

that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 17:21, Jesus, in His profound High Priestly Prayer, fervently requests the Father for the ultimate unity of all His followers. This desired oneness is modeled after the perfect, intimate relationship between the Father and the Son, serving not merely as an internal spiritual state but as a powerful, visible testimony to the world. The purpose of this unity is explicitly stated: that the world might believe in Jesus' divine origin and that He was indeed sent by God, thereby validating His mission and the truth of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer") is often referred to as Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," marking a pivotal moment in His earthly ministry. It immediately follows His extensive Farewell Discourse to His disciples in [John 13-16](/john/13-16 "John 13-16 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"), where He prepares them for His departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they will face. This prayer precedes His arrest in Gethsemane ([John 18:1-11](/john/18-1-11 "John 18:1-11 - Jesus' Arrest in Gethsemane")) and His subsequent crucifixion. The chapter itself is structured as a threefold prayer: first for Himself ([John 17:1-5](/john/17-1-5 "John 17:1-5 - Jesus Prays for Himself")), then for His immediate disciples ([John 17:6-19](/john/17-6-19 "John 17:6-19 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")), and finally, in [John 17:20-26](/john/17-20-26 "John 17:20-26 - Jesus Prays for All Believers"), for all future believers who would come to faith through the disciples' testimony. Verse 21, therefore, stands as the climax of Jesus' intercession for the entire church throughout history, highlighting His deep concern for its spiritual integrity and evangelistic effectiveness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first-century Roman world, unity was often imposed through imperial power, military might, or shared cultural norms, but genuine, voluntary unity across diverse ethnic and social lines was rare. Jewish society, while bound by covenant and law, also experienced significant internal divisions (e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes). Against this backdrop, Jesus' prayer for a spiritual unity among His followers, transcending social, economic, and ethnic barriers, was revolutionary. The early Christian community, as depicted in [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Acts 2:42-47 - The Fellowship of the Believers"), demonstrated a counter-cultural unity characterized by shared life, teaching, fellowship, and worship, which profoundly impacted their witness. This unity was not based on external coercion but on an internal transformation and a shared identity in Christ, a stark contrast to the hierarchical and often fractured societal structures of the time.
* **Key Themes:** [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer") is rich with profound theological themes. **Divine Unity** is central, with Jesus praying for believers to be "one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee," directly mirroring the perfect Trinitarian oneness. This unity is not merely organizational but a spiritual and relational indwelling, a participation in the divine life. Another crucial theme is **Glorification**, as Jesus prays for the Father to glorify Him ([John 17:1](/john/17-1 "John 17:1 - Jesus Prays for His Own Glory")), which is intertwined with His mission and the salvation of believers. The theme of **Truth and Sanctification** is also prominent, as Jesus prays for His disciples to be "sanctified through thy truth" ([John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth")), recognizing that adherence to God's word is foundational to their spiritual purity and unity. Finally, and most directly related to [John 17:21](/john/17-21 "John 17:21 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity"), is the theme of **Evangelistic Witness**. The visible unity of believers is presented as the crucial means by which the world will come to believe in Jesus' divine mission and that He was sent by the Father, underscoring the missional imperative of the church's unity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **one (Greek, _heîs'_):** From G1520, this word signifies a singular, unified entity, emphasizing not merely agreement but a profound, essential oneness. In this context, it speaks to a spiritual and relational unity among believers, mirroring the unique, indivisible unity of the Godhead. It implies a common purpose, mind, and spirit, rather than mere organizational uniformity.
* **in (Greek, _en'_):** From G1722, this preposition denotes a fixed position, state, or intimate relation of rest. When Jesus says "as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee," it highlights a profound mutual indwelling and intimate communion within the Trinity. Applied to believers, "one in us" suggests a participation in this divine union, a spiritual solidarity and shared existence rooted in Christ and the Father.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** From G2889, this term refers to the orderly arrangement, decoration, and by implication, the world in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally). Here, it refers to humanity outside of faith in Christ. The unity of believers is presented as a powerful, visible sign to this unbelieving "world," intended to draw them to faith.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** From G649, this word means to set apart, or to send out, properly on a mission. It underscores Jesus' divine commission from the Father, emphasizing His authority and the divine origin of His ministry. The world's belief in Jesus' unity with the Father is directly tied to their belief that the Father "sent" Him, validating His messianic claims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That they all may be one;":** This is the primary petition of Jesus' prayer for His followers. The "that" (Greek _hina_, G2443) introduces a purpose clause, indicating the goal or intention of the prayer. Jesus desires a profound, essential unity for all who would believe in Him, transcending superficial differences.
* **"as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,":** This clause provides the divine model for the unity Jesus desires for His disciples. It refers to the perfect, reciprocal indwelling and intimate communion between God the Father and God the Son within the Trinity. This is not merely a comparison but an invocation of the very nature of God as the blueprint for the church's unity.
* **"that they also may be one in us:":** This reiterates the desire for unity, but now explicitly states the sphere of that unity: "in us"—that is, in the Father and the Son. This implies a participation in the divine life and relationship, a spiritual union with God that simultaneously binds believers to one another. It's a derived unity, rooted in their shared relationship with the Godhead.
* **"that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.":** This final clause reveals the ultimate evangelistic purpose of the believers' unity. The visible, tangible oneness of Jesus' followers is intended to be a compelling witness to the unbelieving world. Their unity serves as evidence that Jesus is indeed the divinely appointed Messiah, sent by God, thereby validating His claims and the Gospel message.

#### Literary Devices
John 17:21 employs several powerful literary devices. **Simile** is prominently used in the phrase "as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee," drawing a direct comparison between the perfect Trinitarian unity and the desired unity of believers. This elevates the standard for unity to the highest possible divine level. The repeated use of the Greek conjunction *hina* (translated as "that") functions as a **Purpose Clause**, emphasizing the intentionality and goal-oriented nature of Jesus' prayer. Each "that" introduces a successive purpose: unity for its own sake, unity in the Godhead, and ultimately, unity for evangelistic witness. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism** in the repetition of "may be one," first as a general desire, then specified as "one in us," reinforcing the centrality of this theme. The entire verse functions as a profound **Theological Statement**, articulating a core truth about the nature of God, the church, and its mission in the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:21 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of the church and its mission. It firmly establishes that Christian unity is not merely a practical organizational goal but a theological imperative, rooted in the very nature of the Triune God. The unity Jesus prays for is a spiritual, relational oneness—a participation in the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son—which then manifests outwardly. This Trinitarian model of unity underscores that true Christian fellowship is a reflection of divine communion. Furthermore, the verse inextricably links this internal unity to the external witness of the church. Disunity among believers undermines their credibility and hinders the spread of the Gospel, whereas visible unity serves as a powerful apologetic, compelling the world to believe in Jesus' divine origin and mission. This highlights the missional purpose of the church's existence: to be a unified body that testifies to the truth of Christ.

* [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Unity of the Spirit")
* [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Appeal for Unity")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 17:21 challenges believers today to seriously examine the state of unity within the church, both locally and globally. It reminds us that our oneness is not an optional extra but a divine command with profound implications for our witness to a watching world. In an increasingly fractured and skeptical society, the visible unity of Christians, despite their diverse backgrounds and secondary theological differences, stands as a powerful counter-cultural testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. Pursuing this unity requires humility, love, forgiveness, and a steadfast focus on the core truths of the faith. It means actively working to bridge divides, seeking reconciliation, and prioritizing the common mission of Christ above personal preferences or denominational loyalties. When the world sees genuine love and harmony among those who claim to follow Christ, it validates our message and points them to the God who sent His Son.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does my life or my local church reflect (or fail to reflect) the Trinitarian unity Jesus prayed for?**
* **How does disunity within the church hinder its evangelistic witness in my community or the world at large?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster greater spiritual unity within my own sphere of influence (family, church, community)?**
* **How can focusing on Jesus' prayer in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer") motivate me to overcome personal biases or historical divisions for the sake of the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**Does "unity" in John 17:21 mean that all Christians should belong to one single denomination or organization?**

Answer: Not necessarily. While organizational unity can be beneficial, the "unity" Jesus prays for in [John 17:21](/john/17-21 "John 17:21 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity") is primarily a spiritual and relational oneness, modeled after the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son. It's a unity of spirit, purpose, love, and truth, rather than strict uniformity of structure or practice. This spiritual unity should manifest in visible ways, such as mutual love, cooperation in mission, and a shared commitment to the Gospel, even across denominational lines. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this spiritual unity in [Ephesians 4:3-6](/ephesians/4-3-6 "Ephesians 4:3-6 - Unity in the Body of Christ"), speaking of "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism," and "one God and Father of all." While organizational division can certainly hinder witness, the core of Jesus' prayer is for a profound, lived spiritual unity that transcends mere external structures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 17:21 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, who is the very foundation and embodiment of the unity He prays for. As the [Incarnate Son](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), Jesus perfectly reflects the Father's glory and will, demonstrating the seamless oneness that serves as the blueprint for His followers. It is through His atoning sacrifice on the cross that the deepest chasm—the one between God and humanity—is bridged, making reconciliation and unity possible ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Furthermore, Jesus is the Head of His body, the Church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ the Head of the Church")), and all believers are united in Him, becoming "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")) regardless of their former divisions. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - Promise of the Holy Spirit")), is the divine agent who indwells believers and empowers this spiritual unity, binding them together in Christ's love and truth. Thus, Jesus is not only the subject of the prayer but also the means, the model, and the ongoing reality of the unity that compels the world to believe in His divine mission.

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

1 Corinthians 12:12

¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

Colossians 3:11

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.

Colossians 3:14

And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

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].

1 Corinthians 12:25

That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.

1 Corinthians 12:27

¶ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Philippians 1:27

¶ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;