John 17:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

NIV: As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

NASB: Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.

CSB: As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

NLT: Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

KJV: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

NKJV: As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

This verse connects to the Bible's explanation of the Christian life in numerous ways. Christ is not only a born-again Christian's master, but also their chief example (John 13:15–16). Jesus noted that He was only able to act according to the will of God the Father (John 5:19). Likewise, believers ought only to act according to the commands of Christ (John 14:15). Jesus sent the Twelve out to spread the truth (Matthew 10:5–7), and He does the same with Christians today (John 17:20).

This statement also supports Jesus' earlier comment that those who followed would do "greater works" than He did. As those left in the world to carry God's message (John 17:17), Christians are meant to continue speaking God's truth, as Jesus did (Matthew 5:13–16; 28:19).

God the Father sent Christ into the world to accomplish a specific mission (John 12:49). That status did not make Jesus immune from suffering and hardship. In fact, obedience to God required Jesus to endure the cross (Philippians 2:8). Likewise, Christian believers are not protected from harm "just because" they belong to Christ (John 16:1–5).

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.