As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Read it in contextPrayer 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.
17:6I 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.
17:7Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
17:8For 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.
17:9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
17:10And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
17:11And 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.
17:12While 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.
17:13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
17:14I 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.
17:15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
17:18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
17:19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author. The Gospel identifies its witness as the beloved disciple; identifying that disciple personally as John rests on early church testimony. Biblical references: John 21:20; John 21:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Gospel of. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (John 17:1–17:26): Jesus addresses the Father in prayer concerning Himself, His disciples, and those who will believe through their word. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Readers called to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life through His name. No individual or congregation is named as the sole original recipient. Biblical references: John 20:30; John 20:31. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Prayer for the disciples. Read John 17:6 through John 17:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Jesus prays for those given Him, asking that they be kept and sanctified as they remain in the world and are sent into it. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The Gospel moves through Jesus' ministry, including named feasts, to His death, resurrection, and appearances. It does not state a composition date. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Galilee, Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, and places beyond Jordan. Conversations and reported journeys establish each local setting. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Prayer for the disciples (John 17:6 to John 17:19).
Start reading at John 17:6. 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.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? John identifies the Word made flesh and states the Gospel's purpose concerning belief in Jesus and life through His name. Belief should be read with the Gospel's own calls to continue in His word and keep His commandments. See John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Respond to Jesus with active trust and continued obedience. Do not isolate a promise about belief from the audience, dialogue, and surrounding teaching that define its meaning. interpretation
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 apostleNamed 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.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
John 17
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
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.
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.
John
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
Connection to the wholeThe farewell teaching prepares the disciples for His departure, the Comforter, opposition, and continuing life and witness in Him.