I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
I {G1473} in {G1722} them {G846}, and {G2532} thou {G4771} in {G1722} me {G1698}, that {G2443} they may be {G5600} made perfect {G5048} in {G1519} one {G1520}; and {G2532} that {G2443} the world {G2889} may know {G1097} that {G3754} thou {G4771} hast sent {G649} me {G3165}, and {G2532} hast loved {G25} them {G846}, as {G2531} thou hast loved {G25} me {G1691}.
I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.
I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
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John 17:21
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. -
John 16:27
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. -
1 John 3:1
¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. -
John 13:35
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. -
1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. -
1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. -
John 17:24
¶ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:23 is a profound statement from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, revealing His deepest desires for His followers. It speaks to an unparalleled spiritual unity and the ultimate purpose of that oneness: a powerful witness to the world of God's mission and boundless love.
Context
This verse is part of Jesus' extended prayer to His Father, offered just hours before His crucifixion. Known as the High Priestly Prayer (John 17), it begins with prayers for Himself, then for His immediate disciples, and finally for all future believers (John 17:20). Verse 23 specifically builds upon the plea for unity expressed in John 17:21-22, emphasizing the profound spiritual connection between the Father, the Son, and believers. The setting is the Upper Room, a moment of intimate revelation and intercession before the immense trials ahead.
Key Themes
Divine Indwelling and Unity
The core of this verse is the concept of mutual indwelling: "I in them, and thou in me." This describes an intimate, spiritual union. Jesus dwells in believers through the Holy Spirit, and the Father dwells in Jesus. This divine connection is the basis for believers being "made perfect in one." This "oneness" (Greek: hen) is not a loss of individuality but a profound spiritual harmony and unity of purpose, mirroring the unity between the Father and the Son. It’s a call to a collective spiritual maturity that reflects God's own perfect unity.
The Purpose of Unity: World's Witness
The ultimate goal of this perfected unity among believers is missional: "that the world may know that thou hast sent me." When the body of Christ demonstrates genuine, supernatural unity, it serves as a powerful, undeniable testimony to the world that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, sent by the Father. This visible demonstration of unity among diverse people, empowered by divine love, validates Jesus' claims and His mission. It is a compelling apologetic that draws the world to acknowledge Christ.
Unparalleled Divine Love
Finally, the verse highlights the astonishing extent of God's love for believers: "and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." This is a staggering claim. The Father's love for His disciples, and by extension all who believe, is compared directly to His perfect, eternal love for His only Son. This emphasizes the profound value God places on His children and the depth of the relationship He desires with them. It assures believers of their immense worth in God's eyes and the secure foundation of their faith in His unwavering affection, a love that sent His Son into the world.
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "perfect in one" uses the Greek word teleioō (perfected), which implies being brought to completion, maturity, or ultimate fulfillment. It suggests not just a static state but a dynamic process of growth towards spiritual wholeness and unity. The term hen (one) emphasizes a singular, unified entity, reflecting the divine unity within the Trinity.
Practical Application
John 17:23 challenges believers today to prioritize unity within the church, not as a mere organizational goal, but as a spiritual imperative that reflects the very nature of God. Our unity, grounded in Christ's indwelling presence, is the most powerful evangelistic tool we possess. When the world observes Christians living in harmony and love, despite differences, it sees a tangible expression of God's reality and His love. This verse encourages us to actively pursue spiritual maturity and to live out the profound love with which God has loved us, allowing our collective witness to draw others to know Jesus Christ.