John 17:2-3 NIV

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 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh ,.... All men, in distinction from angels; and these as fallen, as weak, frail, sinful, and mortal creatures; men of every nation, Jew or Gentile, and of every character, elect or non-elect: not but that he has also a power over angels; nor is his power over men limited to their "flesh" or bodies, but reaches to their spirits or souls also: which power is a governing, disposing, and judicial one; he rules them with a sceptre of righteousness, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 17:3

And this is life eternal ,.... That is, the beginning and pledge of it, the way unto it, and means of it, and what will certainly issue in it: that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent . The knowledge of God here spoken of, is not the knowledge of him by the light of nature, and works of creation; for a man may know God in this sense, and not know him in Christ, nor anything of Christ; yea, may know God and profess him in words, and in works deny... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:2

As thou hast given him power - As the Messiah, Jesus Christ received from the Father universal dominion. All flesh, i.e. all the human race, was given unto him, that by one sacrifice of himself, he might reconcile them all to God; having by his grace tasted death for every man, Hebrews 2:9 . And this was according to the promise of the universal inheritance made to Christ, Psalm 2:8 , which was to be made up of the heathen, and the uttermost parts of the land, all the Jewish people. So... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:3

This is life eternal - The salvation purchased by Christ, and given to them who believe, is called life: Because the life of man was forfeited to Divine justice; and the sacrifice of Christ redeemed him from that death to which he was exposed. Because the souls of men were dead in trespasses and sins; and Christ quickens them by his word and Spirit. Because men who are not saved by the grace of Christ do not live, they only exist, no good purpose of life being answered by them. But... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:2

Verse 2 2.As thou hast given him. He again confirms the statement, that he asks nothing but what is agreeable to the will of the Father; as it is a constant rule o prayer not to ask more than God would freely bestow; for nothing is more contrary to reason, than to bring forward in the presence of God whatever we choose. Power over all flesh means the authority which was given to Christ, when the Father appointed him to be King and Head; but we must observe the end, which is, to give eternal... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:3

Verse 3 3.And this is eternal life He now describes the manner of bestowing life, namely, when he enlightens the elect in the true knowledge of God; for he does not now speak of the enjoyment oflife which we hope for, but only of the manner in which men obtain life And that this verse may be fully understood, we ought first to know that we are all in death, till we are enlightened by God, who alone is life Where he has shone, we possess him by faith, and, therefore, we also enter into the... read more

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 17:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 17:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:3

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