John 17:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

NIV: Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

NASB: Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

CSB: Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

NLT: Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

KJV: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

NKJV: Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Jesus continues to pray for the apostles (John 17:6), and by extension the believers who will follow them (John 17:20).

The term "sanctify" is translated from the Greek word hagiazō, the same root from which the term "saint" is derived. This means to separate something—to set it apart—for an intended purpose. Leading up to this request, Jesus has referred to these men as being "in" the world (John 17:11), but also not "of" the world (John 17:14). Being "separated," in this case, does not mean a physical distance. It refers to a special purpose and a unique mission. All Christians are called on to be separated from the unbelieving world, spiritually (1 Corinthians 5:9–11) while also active in the world, practically (Matthew 5:13–16).

Earlier this same evening, Jesus indicated the disciples were made "clean" by the message they had accepted (John 15:3; 17:8). That message is the "word" of God: the overall statement of truth He sends. In this exact context, it does not refer only to the written Scripture, though that is one part of God's message to us. The Greek term used here is logos, the same used by John at the beginning of this gospel in reference to Jesus (John 1:1). God's message is personal, in the form of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3) as well as textual, in the form of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Christ equates that message—the "word"—with truth, itself. What God tells us through the person, the teaching, and the message of Christ is that which is real. It is actual; it is "truth" in the deepest and most fundamental sense. When God identified Himself to Moses, He used the expression "I Am" (Exodus 3:14). This is a phrase Jesus also echoed, as recorded seven times in John's gospel (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7–9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). God is truth, and salvation comes when we accept the reality of who He is, and who we are (John 4:24; Romans 1:21–25; Philippians 2:9–11).

John 17:6–19 continues the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, prior to crossing into the garden of Gethsemane. After asking God the Father to glorify Him, so He may glorify the Father, Jesus now prays for His disciples. Earlier passages included Jesus' warnings about persecution (John 16:1–4). His plea, here, is for the apostles' continued faith in the face of that hardship. While this passage has application for all Christians, the immediate subject is Jesus' immediate circle of closest disciples. After this, Jesus' prayer will continue with an emphasis on all future believers.

In this passage, known as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus speaks to God about three main topics. First is Christ Himself, asking God the Father to glorify Him so He can glorify the Father. Next, Jesus prays for the faith and courage in His closest disciples. Finally, He prays for those who will come to faith because of the apostles' writing and teaching. This moment occurs before Jesus enters Gethsemane, where the other Gospels will record His final anguished prayers before being arrested (Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:39–46).

Over the last several chapters (John 13—16), Jesus has been giving last-minute instruction to His closest disciples. These lessons composed a large part of the Last Supper. Among those teachings were several warnings about persecution, with the encouragement of knowing the Holy Spirit would come. In chapter 17, we read Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, making requests on behalf of Himself, the apostles, and future believers. After this, Jesus will go into Gethsemane where Judas will turn Him over for arrest and His eventual execution.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.