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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 17:1-5

Here we have, I. The circumstances of this prayer, John 17:1. Many a solemn prayer Christ made in the days of his flesh (sometimes he continued all night in prayer), but none of his prayers are recorded so fully as this. Observe, 1. The time when he prayed this prayer; when he had spoken these words, had given the foregoing farewell to his disciples, he prayed this prayer in their hearing; so that, (1.) It was a prayer after a sermon; when he had spoken from God to them, he turned to speak to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 17:1-5

17:1-5 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify the Son that the Son may glorify you. Glorify him, just as you gave him authority over mankind, that he may give eternal life to every one whom you have given to him. It is eternal life to know you, who are the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I have glorified you upon earth, because I have finished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 17:1-5

(ii) Further, the Cross was the glory of Jesus because it was the completion of his work. "I have accomplished the work," he said, "which You gave me to do." For him to have stopped short of the Cross would have been to leave his task uncompleted. Why should that be so? Jesus had come into this world to tell men about the love of God and to show it to them. If he had stopped short of the Cross, it would have been to say that God's love said: "Thus far and no farther." By going to the Cross... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 17:1-5

There is another important thought in this passage, for it contains the great New Testament definition of eternal life. It is eternal life to know God and to know Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Let us remind ourselves of what eternal means. In Greek it is aionios ( Greek #166 ). This word has to do, not so much with duration of life, for life which went on for ever would not necessarily be a boon. Its main meaning is quality of life. There is only one person to whom the word aionios ( ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 17:1

These words spake Jesus ,.... Referring to his sermons and discourses, his words of comfort, advice, direction, and instruction, delivered in the three preceding chapters: and lift up his eyes to heaven ; the seat of the divine majesty, the throne of his Father. This is a prayer gesture. It is said F3 Vajikra Rabba, sect. 34. fol. 174. 4. of R. Tanchuma, that הגביה פניו לשמים , "he lift up his face to heaven", and said before the holy blessed God, Lord of the world, &c.;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:1

These words spake Jesus - That is, what is related in the preceding chapters. We may consider our Lord as still moving on towards Gethsemane, not having yet passed the brook Cedron, John 18:1 . Our Lord, who was now going to act as high priest for the whole human race, imitates in his conduct that of the Jewish high priest on the great day of expiation; who, in order to offer up the grand atonement for the sins of the people: - Washed himself, and put on clean linen garments. This... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:1

Verse 1 1.These words spake Jesus. After having preached to the disciples about bearing the cross, the Lord exhibited to them those consolations, by relying on which they would be enabled to persevere. Having promised the coming of the Spirit, he raised them to a better hope, and discoursed to them about the splendor and glory of his reign. Now he most properly betakes himself to prayer; for doctrine has no power, if efficacy be not imparted to it from above. He, therefore, holds out an example... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:1

Jesus spake these things ; i.e. the discourse which precedes, and then turned from his disciples to the Father. The place where the prayer was offered is comparatively unimportant, yet it must have been uttered somewhere. It has been well suggested that the Lord, with the disciples, sought the comparative quiet of the Father's house, and in some of the courts of the temple, within sight of the golden gate with its mighty vine , had enacted all that is recorded in Jn 15-17. This does... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:1

The Divine idea of glory. There have ever been prevalent among men false views of glory. It is natural to admire pomp and splendor, wealth, magnificence, and power. Christianity has done much to counteract the common tendency to place glory in external greatness, to rebuke and to banish such conceptions from the higher thinking of men. Our Lord employs the term "glory" in a higher, a moral and spiritual acceptation . He teaches us what true glory is when he prays, "Father, glorify... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:1

The Father glorified through the Son. Here are words of Jesus in this prayer which we are, as it were, doubly bound to consider. For this prayer went up in the midst of the disciples. We can hardly even say that it was overheard by them; that would imply that they were not intended to hear it. The Father heard the prayer, and the disciples heard it too. And in the hearing there came upon them great responsibilities, great opportunities, great inspirations. The same things also come upon... read more

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