John 17:25

John 17:25, in plain English

Jesus prays: 'Righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I know you—and these friends of mine know that you sent me.'

Why it's here

Jesus acknowledges a great divide: the world misses God entirely, but His followers have grasped the truth. Knowing that Jesus was sent by God changes everything.

Who's speaking

Jesus prays with awareness of the divide between the world and His followers.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus acknowledges that most of the world doesn't know the Father. But His disciples do—and that knowledge sets them apart and gives them hope.

The scholarly reading

Jesus addresses the 'Righteous Father' and contrasts the world's ignorance of God with His own knowledge and the disciples' belief in His divine mission.

Language and setting

The address 'Righteous Father' (Pater dikaie) appears only here, emphasizing God's justice in distinguishing between the knowing and unknowing. The triad of knowledge—Jesus knows the Father, disciples know Jesus was sent—establishes the chain of revelation.

Voice

Jesus addresses the Father with a unique title in His closing prayer.

Significance

As the prayer nears its end, Jesus draws a contrast: the world has not known the Father, but Jesus has, and the disciples have come to know that Jesus was sent by Him.

23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.

26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Read all of John 17 — You get to overhear Jesus praying to the Father. He prays for His disciples — and then He prays for you.