John 17:1 - Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;

Generated Verse: John 17:1

What does "John 17:1" mean?


This verse, John 17:1, is the very beginning of what's known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. It's a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, marking the transition from Jesus' teaching to his act of sacrifice. Let's break it down:

"Jesus said these things...": This refers back to the teachings and conversations Jesus has had with his disciples in the preceding chapters of John (Chapters 13-16). He's been preparing them for his departure and sharing profound truths about his relationship with the Father and their future role.

"...lifting up his eyes to heaven...": This is a common posture of prayer, signifying Jesus' direct communication with God the Father. It's a gesture of reverence, dependence, and focused attention.

"...he said, “Father, the time has come...": This is a crucial statement. "The time" refers to the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, the moment when he will be arrested, crucified, and ultimately resurrected. It's the point for which he has been preparing. This "time" is also not just a passive event happening to Jesus; it's the moment when he will fully express his obedience and love.

"...Glorify your Son...": This is a request for God to reveal the full glory of Jesus. This glory is not just earthly power or recognition, but the divine glory he shares with the Father from eternity (John 17:5). This glorification includes the crucifixion and resurrection, which paradoxically reveal the depth of God's love and power. It's a plea for God to act in a way that demonstrates who Jesus truly is.

"...that your Son may also glorify you;": This highlights the reciprocal nature of the Father-Son relationship. Jesus' glorification of the Father will occur through his obedience to the Father's will, which culminates in his sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection. Jesus' actions will reveal the Father's character, love, and plan of salvation to the world. By Jesus being obedient, God the Father's plan of redemption for humanity will be brought to fruition. This, in turn, would bring the Father glory.

In essence, this verse means:

Jesus acknowledges that the time of his suffering and death is at hand.
He prays to the Father to reveal his divine glory through these events.
He states that his own glorification of the Father will occur through his obedience and sacrifice.
The verse emphasizes the deep, loving, and reciprocal relationship between the Father and the Son, and how they work together to accomplish God's redemptive plan for the world. It also underscores the idea that true glory is found not in worldly power, but in self-sacrificing love and obedience to God.