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.

Father {G3962}, I will {G2309} that {G2443} they also {G2548}, whom {G3739} thou hast given {G1325} me {G3427}, be {G5600} with {G3326} me {G1700} where {G3699} I {G1473} am {G1510}; that {G2443} they may behold {G2334} my {G1699} glory {G1391}, which {G3739} thou hast given {G1325} me {G3427}: for {G3754} thou lovedst {G25} me {G3165} before {G4253} the foundation {G2602} of the world {G2889}.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am; so that they may see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Father, I desire 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 17:24 is a profound verse within what is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" (John 17). It reveals Christ's deepest desire for His followers and the ultimate destiny of believers, rooted in the eternal love between the Father and the Son.

Context of John 17:24

This verse comes near the end of Jesus' final discourse with His disciples before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. In John chapter 17, Jesus offers an intimate and powerful prayer, first for Himself (verses 1-5), then for His immediate disciples (verses 6-19), and finally for all future believers (verses 20-26). Verse 24 is a pivotal part of His intercession for those who would believe in Him through the ages, articulating His fervent desire for their eternal fellowship with Him in glory.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desire for Eternal Fellowship: Jesus expresses a deep, divine "will" (Greek: thelō, indicating a strong desire or divine purpose) that His followers should be eternally present with Him. This is not merely a wish but a declaration of His intent and purpose for those the Father has "given" to Him. It speaks to the ultimate hope of believers: to be with Christ forever.
  • Beholding Christ's Glory: The primary purpose of this eternal fellowship is "that they may behold my glory." This glory (Greek: doxa), refers to the inherent splendor, majesty, and divine nature of Christ, which He possessed eternally with the Father. It is the full revelation of His divine being, which believers will experience directly and fully in His presence. This is the culmination of salvation and the ultimate joy for the saints. As 1 John 3:2 promises, "we shall see him as he is."
  • The Father's Pre-existent Love: The foundation for this incredible destiny is the eternal love between the Father and the Son, "for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." This phrase underscores the pre-existence of Christ and the eternal nature of God's plan of redemption. The Father's boundless love for the Son is the basis for the Son's mission, and subsequently, for the inclusion of believers into this divine relationship. This eternal love ensures the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer for His own.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Gift: The phrase "whom thou hast given me" highlights God the Father's sovereign act in drawing individuals to Christ. Believers are seen as a divine gift from the Father to the Son, emphasizing God's initiative in salvation. John 6:37 also affirms that "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me."

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "will" (Greek: thelō) used by Jesus here is not a mere wish, but a strong expression of divine purpose and desire, reflecting His authority and the certainty of its fulfillment.
  • "Glory" (Greek: doxa) denotes the radiant majesty, honor, and inherent splendor characteristic of God. For believers to "behold" this glory means to experience and participate in Christ's divine nature and reign in a profound and direct way.
  • "Before the foundation of the world" emphasizes the eternal nature of God's love and plan, existing outside of time and prior to creation. This speaks to the eternal relationship within the Trinity.

Practical Application

John 17:24 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. It reminds us that our ultimate destiny is not merely to escape judgment, but to enter into eternal, intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, beholding His divine glory. This verse:

  • Provides Hope and Assurance: It guarantees that believers will ultimately be with Christ in His heavenly dwelling, a promise that brings peace amidst life's challenges. Jesus also promised in John 14:3, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
  • Elevates Our Perspective: It shifts our focus from temporal concerns to the eternal reality of Christ's glory and our participation in it.
  • Deepens Our Understanding of God's Love: It reveals the profound, eternal love within the Godhead, which extends to include believers in its fellowship. Our salvation is rooted in this ancient, unfathomable love.
  • Motivates Holy Living: The anticipation of beholding Christ's glory should inspire believers to live lives that honor Him now, reflecting His character and purposes in the world.
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.

  • John 17:5

    And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

  • John 14:3

    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • 1 John 3:2

    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

  • Genesis 45:13

    And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

  • Matthew 25:21

    His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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