John 17:17-20

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:17

Sanctify them ; consecrate them (cf. John 10:36 , of the sanctification of the Son by the Father to the work of effecting human redemption), separate them from the evil of the world, as for holy purposes. Devote them to the glorious cause. Let them be sacrifices on the altar. The ἁγιάζω , to sanctify, is not synonymous with καθαρίζω , to purify; ἃγιος is not a contradiction of the defiled so much as of the purely natural, and involves the higher ends of grace ( Exodus 29:1 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:17

The purifying Tower of truth. This may be regarded as the central petition of this prayer of the great High Priest. Our Lord, having prayed on behalf of his disciples that they should be "kept from the evil," as those" not of the world," passes from the negative to the positive side of the Christian life. His heart's desire is that his people may be hallowed, consecrated, sanctified, made holy, as becomes those who are his own. I. THE PURPORT OF THE LORD 'S PETITION ON ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:17

The element of true holiness. I. THE MEANS OF SAFETY . Jesus has been praying that his friends may be safe; and here is the way to safety. The truly holy are the truly safe. When some infectious disease is raging far and wide, it is the drunkard and glutton who are most exposed to danger. And thus in seasons of spiritual temptation it is those who live far from God, and have allowed the world to run riot in their hearts, who are likeliest to fall. II. THE MEANS OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:18

As thou didst send me into the world from the glory which I had with thee before the world was—a primal fact in the earthly consciousness of the Lord Christ, and one on which he repeatedly laid emphasis ( John 10:36 ; John 17:8 )— even so I sent £ them into the world ; i.e. from that higher sphere of thought above the world to which I had called them. "They are not of the world," but I sent them from the unworldly home and from the high place of my intimate friendship, from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:18

The two apostleships. The sense of apostleship must enter into all true Christian work. The Lord Jesus takes but the rank of an apostle—speaks to his Father as having made him an apostle into the world. He grows up to manhood, not as other lads in Nazareth, to choose an occupation and walk in life for himself, but to take a path divinely chosen. He both is sent and knows well who sent him. The highest good is only to be got out of the Lord Jesus by treating him according to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:19

And for their sakes —on their behalf— I sanctify , consecrate , myself . The Father had consecrated him and sent him into the world, but over and above all this there were special and sacrificial acts of love and devotion which he made on behalf of his own. He went up voluntarily into the wilderness to be tempted for them; he wrought for them while it was yet day. He now was ready to commend himself to the supreme will of the Father, and to offer himself through the Spirit in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20

Neither do I pray ( ἐρωτῶ ) for —concerning these alone, but also for those who believe £ on me through their word . The Lord summons the future into the present. He speaks of having once for all sent them, and he sees rising before his eye the multitudes in all ages who would believe their testimony as if already doing so. The universal Church rejoices in the fullness of his love and the greatness of his wish concerning the individuals who believe. The prayer is an eternal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20

Prayer for persuaders and persuaded. I. PRAYER FOR THE PERSUADERS Jesus says, "Neither pray I for these alone;" that means by implication his prayer for these . Jesus prays for those who will believe on him through the word of his servants; that means his prayer for those who will speak the word which produces the faith. Jesus had spoken to his servants in language of tenderness, energy, and strength, altogether unequalled. They had to go out on a great errand; they had a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-21

Christ's prayer for all believers. Our Lord, having prayed for himself and for his apostles, now prays for the whole body of believers. I. HE PRAYS FOR THE BELIEVERS OF ALL GENERATIONS TILL THE END OF TIME . "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word." 1. All believers have , therefore , an interest in Christ ' s prayer . 2. The word of the apostles—that is , not merely their narrative of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-21

Comprehensive intercession. Human selfishness, narrowness, and hopelessness may well be rebuked by the breadth and brightness of this prayer. The High Priest pleads for his people, and in so doing sweeps the horizon of time, sounds the depths of human need, and grasps the invisible aim of the universe, the yet unrealized purpose of God himself. I. THE EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CHRIST 'S INTERCESSION . At the very time when those nearest to him were about to be exposed to great... read more

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