New Testament · Gospel

John 17:6

Jesus Prays

I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. John 17:6 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

John 17:6, in plain English

Jesus tells the Father: 'I've shown these people who you really are. They were yours first, and you gave them to me—and they've been faithful to your word.'

Why it's here

Jesus is beginning to pray for His disciples. He highlights that they belong to the Father first, and that His job has been to reveal the Father's true character to them.

Who's speaking

Jesus prays for His disciples, honoring their faithfulness.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus turns His prayer toward His friends. He's proud of them—they received the Father's word and held onto it. Now He's about to ask the Father to protect them.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus reports that He has revealed the Father's name—His character and nature—to the disciples whom the Father selected from the world and gave to the Son.

Language and setting

Revealing the Father's 'name' (onoma) in Hebrew thought means revealing His essential character. The emphasis on divine election ('You gave them to Me') underscores the Johannine theology of grace preceding human response.

Voice

Jesus prays to the Father concerning the disciples.

Significance

Jesus shifts from praying about Himself to praying about His disciples. He has made the Father known to them—these people the Father specifically chose and entrusted to Jesus.

In context

John 17:4–8

4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

5And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

6I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

7Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You.

8For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

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.

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