John 17:22 - The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;

Generated Verse: John 17:22

What does "John 17:22" mean?


This verse, John 17:22, is part of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17. It's a deeply meaningful verse about unity, relationship, and the sharing of God's nature. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"The glory which you have given me...": Jesus is referring to the glory that the Father (God) has given to Him. This glory encompasses His divine nature, power, authority, and the manifestation of God's presence in Him. This glory is not just outward splendor, but also the inward characteristics of holiness, love, and truth that are inherent in God. It also references the glory He manifested through His miracles, teaching, and ultimately, His resurrection and ascension.

"...I have given to them...": Jesus states that He has given this glory to "them," which refers to His disciples and, by extension, all believers who will come to believe in Him through their word (John 17:20). This doesn't mean that believers become equal to God or Jesus in divine essence. Instead, it means:

Sharing in His nature: Believers are given the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live a life that reflects God's character, to love, forgive, and serve others. They become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Sharing in His mission: Believers are called to continue Jesus' work on Earth, to spread the Gospel, and to be witnesses to His love and truth. They are empowered to do "greater works" than Jesus did (John 14:12) because they will continue His mission on a wider scale.
Sharing in His relationship with the Father: Believers are adopted as children of God and have access to the Father through Jesus Christ. They can experience the same love, intimacy, and communion with the Father that Jesus has.
Sharing in future glory: Believers are promised to share in the eternal glory of God in heaven. They will be transformed into His likeness and will reign with Him forever.

"...that they may be one, even as we are one;": This is the key purpose for the sharing of glory. The ultimate goal is unity among believers, mirroring the perfect unity that exists between the Father and the Son. This unity is not just outward agreement but a deep, spiritual oneness based on shared love, purpose, and faith in Christ. It's a unity that transcends cultural, ethnic, and social barriers.
"Even as we are one" emphasizes the profound depth of the desired unity. The Father and the Son have a perfect unity of will, purpose, and love. This is the standard for the unity that Jesus desires among believers.

In essence, John 17:22 expresses that:

Jesus has shared the divine attributes and mission that He received from the Father with His followers so that they can be unified in love and purpose, reflecting the perfect unity of the Godhead to the world. The sharing of glory leads to, and is intended to produce, a deep, transformative unity among believers. This unity is a powerful witness to the world of the reality and nature of God.

The verse highlights the transformative power of faith in Jesus and the incredible potential for unity among believers who are connected to Him and to each other. It is a call to live out the shared glory we have received, demonstrating God's love and truth to the world through our unity.