John 17:4

KJV

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

KJV (with Strong's)

I {G1473} have glorified {G1392} thee {G4571} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}: I have finished {G5048} the work {G2041} which {G3739} thou gavest {G1325} me {G3427} to {G2443} do {G4160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“I glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Berean Standard Bible

I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

American Standard Version

I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this profound declaration within His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus Christ affirms to the Father that His earthly mission has been perfectly accomplished, culminating in the Father's glorification through His life, ministry, and impending sacrificial death. This verse encapsulates Jesus' unwavering obedience and the successful completion of the redemptive work for which He was sent, signifying a pivotal moment of divine fulfillment just prior to His passion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer") records Jesus' longest continuous prayer in the Gospels, often termed His "High Priestly Prayer." It immediately follows the Last Supper discourse ([John 13-16](/john/13-16 "John 13-16 - Last Supper Discourses")) and precedes His betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane ([John 18](/john/18 "John 18 - Jesus' Arrest")). This prayer is structured into three main parts: Jesus prays for Himself (vv. 1-5), for His immediate disciples (vv. 6-19), and for all future believers (vv. 20-26). [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus' Declaration of Accomplishment") falls within the first section, where Jesus reflects on His completed ministry, anticipating His return to glory with the Father. It serves as a climactic summary of His earthly purpose, setting the stage for the ultimate act of obedience on the cross.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this prayer is likely Jerusalem, late at night, after the Passover meal. Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Gethsemane. The concept of a "work" or "mission" given by God was deeply rooted in Jewish thought, particularly concerning prophets and the Messiah. For Jesus to declare His work "finished" carried immense weight, implying not just the cessation of activity, but the successful and perfect culmination of a divinely appointed task. In Jewish culture, glorifying God involved living in a way that brought honor and renown to His name, often through obedience to His commands and revelation of His character. Jesus' life, marked by perfect obedience and the revelation of the Father's nature, perfectly embodied this concept, fulfilling the expectations of a Messiah who would fully accomplish God's will.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel and biblical theology. The theme of **Glorification** is central, as Jesus states He has "glorified" the Father. This glorification is not abstract but demonstrated through His perfect life, miraculous signs, authoritative teaching, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection, which fully revealed God's character and redemptive plan. Another key theme is **Divine Commission and Obedience**, emphasizing that Jesus' entire ministry was not self-initiated but a specific "work" given to Him by the Father. His declaration, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do," highlights His unwavering obedience, even unto death, as seen in passages like [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience Unto Death"). Finally, the theme of **Completion and Fulfillment** is paramount. Jesus' use of "finished" (teleioō) signifies that His work was not merely ended but brought to its intended, perfect, and redemptive conclusion, foreshadowing His triumphant cry from the cross, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Declaration")" in [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Declaration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** From G1392, meaning to render or esteem glorious, to magnify, honor, or cause to have glory. Jesus' life and ministry, culminating in His death and resurrection, perfectly revealed the Father's character, power, and love, thereby bringing Him ultimate honor and renown. This was not a passive state but an active process of making God's glory manifest on earth.
* **finished (Greek, _teleióō'_):** From G5048, meaning to complete, accomplish, or consummate, particularly in character or purpose. This word implies more than just bringing an activity to a close; it signifies bringing it to a perfect, intended, and successful culmination. Jesus' work was not merely ended, but brought to its divinely appointed and perfect conclusion, leaving nothing undone.
* **work (Greek, _érgon'_):: From G2041, meaning toil (as an effort or occupation) or, by implication, an act or deed. In this context, it refers to the entire redemptive mission entrusted to Jesus by the Father, encompassing His teaching, healing, demonstrating the Kingdom, and ultimately, His atoning sacrifice. It was a specific, purposeful, and demanding assignment.
* **gavest (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** From G1325, meaning to give, bestow, or commit. This emphasizes the divine origin and authority of Jesus' mission. His work was not self-initiated but a direct commission from the Father, highlighting the Father's sovereign plan and the Son's obedient reception and execution of that plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have glorified thee on the earth":** Jesus declares that His earthly life and ministry have served the ultimate purpose of revealing and exalting the Father. Every word spoken, every miracle performed, every act of compassion, and supremely, His perfect obedience and impending sacrifice, were all expressions of the Father's character and will, bringing Him honor and renown in the human realm.
* **"I have finished the work":** This is a profound statement of completion and success. Jesus asserts that the specific, divinely appointed task given to Him for His earthly sojourn has been brought to its perfect conclusion. This "work" encompasses His entire redemptive mission, including teaching, healing, demonstrating the Kingdom, and preparing for the atonement.
* **"which thou gavest me to do.":** This clause underscores the divine origin and specific nature of Jesus' mission. His work was not arbitrary or self-chosen but a direct commission from the Father, emphasizing His unique role as the obedient Son sent to accomplish a particular salvific purpose for humanity. It highlights the unity and purposefulness within the Godhead.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Declaration** and **Affirmation**, as Jesus confidently states the accomplishment of His mission. This is a powerful **Theological Statement** regarding the success of God's redemptive plan through the Son. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this declaration anticipates Jesus' final cry from the cross, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Declaration")), confirming the full and perfect completion of the work of atonement. The structure of the verse, with its two parallel clauses ("I have glorified thee... I have finished the work..."), creates a sense of **Completeness** and **Purposeful Action**, emphasizing the direct link between Jesus' obedience and the Father's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 17:4 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Jesus' mission and the efficacy of His redemptive work. It reveals the profound unity and purpose within the Trinity, as the Son perfectly executes the will of the Father, bringing Him glory through His obedience. This verse assures believers that salvation is founded not on human effort, but on the finished work of Christ, a work perfectly accomplished and fully sufficient. It highlights the divine initiative in salvation and the unwavering faithfulness of Jesus to His calling, providing the ultimate basis for our hope and reconciliation with God.

* [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Cry: It is Finished!")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' declaration in [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus' Accomplished Mission") offers profound comfort and a powerful model for our lives. First, it reassures us of the absolute security of our salvation, which rests entirely on Christ's perfectly finished work, not on our own flawed efforts. We are invited to rest in this complete accomplishment, knowing that the price for our sin has been fully paid and God has been fully glorified. Second, it challenges us to consider our own purpose and calling. While our "work" is not redemptive, we are called to live lives that glorify God on earth, just as Jesus did. This involves discerning and diligently pursuing the unique tasks and ministries God has entrusted to each of us, striving to live with the same obedience and dedication that Jesus exemplified. It encourages us to ask: How am I actively bringing glory to God in my daily life? Am I faithfully pursuing the "work" He has given me, aiming for completion and excellence for His honor?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does my life currently glorify God on earth?**
* **What "work" or calling do I believe God has given me, and how diligently am I pursuing its completion?**
* **How does the knowledge of Jesus' finished work impact my assurance of salvation and my daily walk with God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to live with greater intentionality in fulfilling God's purpose for my life?**

### FAQ
**What "work" did Jesus finish according to John 17:4?**

Answer: The "work" Jesus finished encompasses His entire redemptive mission on earth, which was given to Him by the Father. This includes His perfect obedience to God's will, His teaching of the truth about the Father and the Kingdom of God, His miraculous signs that demonstrated God's power and love, His preparation of the disciples, and supremely, His atoning sacrifice on the cross to reconcile humanity to God. It was a comprehensive work designed to bring glory to the Father and salvation to humanity, culminating in His death and resurrection.

**How does "I have finished the work" relate to Jesus' cry "It is finished" in John 19:30?**

Answer: [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus' Declaration of Accomplishment") is Jesus' declaration to the Father *before* the cross, expressing His confidence and affirmation that His earthly ministry, leading up to the ultimate sacrifice, has perfectly fulfilled the Father's commission. It's a statement of retrospective accomplishment regarding His life's work. [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Cry: It is Finished!"), "It is finished" (Greek: *Tetelestai*), is His triumphant cry *from* the cross. This single word signifies the final, complete, and perfect accomplishment of the work of atonement – the payment for sin, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the victory over death and Satan. The statement in [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus' Accomplished Mission") is a prophetic anticipation and summary of His entire mission, while [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Cry: It is Finished!") is the definitive declaration of its ultimate, climactic completion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus' Accomplished Mission") serves as a powerful declaration of Christ's perfect fulfillment of His Messianic mission, revealing the very heart of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, perfectly glorified the Father not through self-exaltation, but through absolute obedience to the divine will, culminating in His sacrificial death. This "finished work" is the foundation of our salvation, for it is through His perfect life and atoning death that humanity is reconciled to God. His obedience, described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death"), secured our redemption, making Him the "author and finisher of our faith" as stated in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith"). Because Jesus finished the work, believers are freed from the burden of earning salvation and can confidently approach God, resting in the complete efficacy of His sacrifice. His triumph over sin and death, affirmed in this prayer and sealed on the cross, ensures that all who believe in Him receive eternal life and are brought into the glory that He shares with the Father ([John 17:22-24](/john/17-22-24 "John 17:22-24 - Jesus Prays for Believers' Unity and 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

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

John 14:31

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 15:10

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 13:31

¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.