John 17:20

John 17:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
• New International Version (NIV)“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
• English Standard Version (ESV)"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
• New King James Version (NKJV)“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

Context of John 17:20

18Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world. 19For their sake I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth. “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, 21that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me. 22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one;

John 17:20 word by word

οὐ περὶ τούτων δὲ ἐρωτῶ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τῶν πιστευόντων διὰ τοῦ λόγου αὐτῶν εἰς ἐμέ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Neitherοὐou · noG3756
• pray Iἐρωτάωerōtaō · to askG2065
• forπερίperi · aboutG4012
• theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• aloneμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• themὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• which shall believeπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• onεἰςeis · towardG1519
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056

Cross-references for John 17:20

• John 17:6“I have manifested Your name [and revealed Your very self, Your real self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept and obeyed Your word.
• Ephesians 4:11And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
• Acts 2:41So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
• Acts 4:4But many of those who heard the message [of salvation] believed [in Jesus and accepted Him as the Christ]. And the number of the men came to be about 5,000.
• Romans 15:18For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed,
• Romans 16:26but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God, leading them to obedience to the faith,
• 2 Timothy 1:2to Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Commentaries on John 17:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20III. Our Lord's Prayer for His Church, and for All Who Would Believe on His Name, Through the Preaching of the Apostles and Their Successor. John 17:20-26. See on John 17:1; (note). Neither pray I for these alone - This prayer extends itself through all ages, and takes in every soul that believes in the Lord Jesus. And what is it that Christ asks in behalf of his followers? The greatest of blessings: unity, peace, love, and eternal glory.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Neither pray I for these alone … - Not for the apostles only, but for all who shall be converted under the preaching of the gospel. They will all need similar grace and be exposed to similar trials. It is a matter of unspeakable joy that each Christian, however humble or unknown to men however poor, unlearned, or despised, can reflect that he was remembered in prayer by “him whom God heareth always.” We value the prayers of pious friends. How much more…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-23Verses 20-23 Our Lord especially prayed, that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind and one judgment…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20Jesus was praying for other sheep who were not yet in his flock (10:16). These are the believers through the centuries who have come to faith through the witness of the disciples of Jesus.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2320-23. Neither pray I for these alone--This very important explanation, uttered in condescension to the hearers and readers of this prayer in all time, is meant not merely of what follows, but of the whole prayer. them also which shall believe--The majority of the best manuscripts read "which believe," all future time being viewed as present, while the present is viewed as past and gone.Read the comment

Topics related to John 17:20

• Communion
• Jesus Continued
• Minister, Christian
• Prayer
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Intercession of Christ
• Perseverance of the saints
• Sanctify
• Truth
• Wherewith
• Atonement
• Christ, Offices of
• Ethics of Jesus
• Holy Spirit
• Intercession

Commentaries on John 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings