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John 17:12

KJV

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Read it in context Prayer for the disciples
Start reading at John 17:6 (John 17:6 to John 17:19). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

Jesus prays for those given Him, asking that they be kept and sanctified as they remain in the world and are sent into it.

  1. 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
  2. 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
  3. 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
  4. 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
  5. 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
  6. 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
  7. 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
  8. 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
  9. 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
  10. 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
  11. 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
  12. 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
  13. 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
  14. 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: John 17:6, John 17:19, John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31

Who wrote it, and how we know

John the apostle Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them. John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated

There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

John 17

The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.

John 20:30 John 20:31 John 8:31

Jesus' prayer concerning His mission
John 17:1–5

FocusGlory and eternal life

Connection to the wholeJesus speaks of the completed work entrusted to Him and identifies eternal life in relation to knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
interpretation
Prayer for the disciples
John 17:6–19 You are here · 17:12

FocusKeeping and sanctifying

Connection to the wholeJesus prays for those given Him, asking that they be kept and sanctified as they remain in the world and are sent into it.
interpretation
Prayer for future believers
John 17:20–26

FocusUnity, witness, and love

Connection to the wholeThe prayer widens to those who will believe through the disciples' word, joining their unity and love with the world's recognition of Jesus' mission.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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