John 17:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 17:20-23

Next to their purity he prays for their unity; for the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable; and amity is amiable indeed when it is like the ointment on Aaron's holy head, and the dew on Zion's holy hill. Observe, I. Who are included in this prayer (John 17:20): ?Not these only, not these only that are now my disciples? (the eleven, the seventy, with others, men and women that followed him when he was here on earth), ?but for those also who shall believe on me through their word,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 17:20-21

17:20-21 "It is not only for these that I pray, but also for those who are going to believe in their word of testimony to me. And my prayer is that they may all be one, even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so that they may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me." Gradually in this section Jesus' prayer has been going out to the ends of the earth. First, he prayed for himself as the Cross faced him. Second, he prayed for his disciples, and for God's keeping... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 17:21

That they all may be one ,.... Among themselves. This may regard their unity in faith, and in the knowledge of Christ; for there is but one faith which all truly experienced souls agree in: they are converted by the same Spirit, and have the same work of grace wrought in them; and though they have not the same degree of light, and measure of spiritual knowledge, yet they agree in the main point of the Gospel, salvation alone by the Lord Jesus Christ; and such an agreement in the doctrine of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:21

That they all may be one - This prayer was literally answered to the first believers, who were all of one heart and of one soul: Acts 4:32 . And why is it that believers are not in the same spirit now? Because they neither attend to the example nor to the truth of Christ. That the world may believe - are have already seen that the word, κοσμος , world, is used in several parts of this last discourse of our Lord to signify the Jewish people only. Christ will have all his members to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 17:21

Verse 21 21.That all may be one. He again lays down the end of our happiness as consisting in unity, and justly; for the ruin of the human race is, that, having been alienated from God, it is also broken and scattered in itself. The restoration of it, therefore, on the contrary, consists in its being properly united in one body, as Paul declares the perfection of the Church to consist in believers being joined together in one spirit and says that apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:1-26

4. The high-priestly intercession . Audible communion of the Son with the Father . The prayer which now follows reveals, in the loftiest and sublimest form, the Divine humanity of the Son of man, and the fact that, in the consciousness of Jesus as the veritable Christ of God, there was actually blended the union of the Divine and human, and a perfect exercise of the prerogatives of both. The illimitable task which writers of the second century must have set themselves to... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-23

Christian unity. Notice it— I. IN ITS IMPORT AND SCOPE . 1. Believers are to be in unity . Many and yet one, one and yet many. Many members, but one body; many bodies, but one Spirit; many believers , but one spiritual community. They are to be one with each other, with Christ, and with the Father. 2. Their union is to be universal . "Tidal they all may be one." There is to be no exception. It is not optional, but the universal rule of the society and law... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 17:20-26

(3) Prayer for the Church Catholic in all time . read more

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