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

18I have sent them into the world, in the same way that you sent me into the world. 19On their behalf I give myself to you, so that I belong completely to you. Then they also can completely belong to you, as they follow the truth.’ ‘I do not pray only for these people, my disciples. I pray also for those people who will believe in me because of my disciples' message. 21I pray that all of them will become united. You, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be united in us. Then the world's people will believe that you sent me. 22I have given to them the same honour that you gave to me. Now they can be united in the same way that you and I are united.

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‘You gave some people to me who were from this world. I have shown them who you are. They were yours and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your message.
• Ephesians 4:11It was Christ who chose to give different gifts to his people. He chose some to be apostles. He chose some to speak messages from God. He chose some to tell God's good news to many people. He chose some to take care of his people, and to teach them.
• Acts 2:41Many of the people who listened to Peter believed his message. So the apostles baptized those people. About three thousand people who now believed in Jesus joined the group that same day.
• Acts 4:4But many of the people who had heard Peter's message believed what he said. There were now about 5,000 men who believed in Jesus.
• Romans 15:18But I will only speak about the work that Christ has made me able to do. I have lived among the Gentiles and I have spoken God's message to them. They have obeyed God as a result of Christ's work through me.
• Romans 16:26God's prophets already wrote that this good news would come. God, who lives for ever, has commanded us to tell it to people. He wants people from all nations to know this message. Then they can believe in God and obey him.
• 2 Timothy 1:2I am writing to you, Timothy. You are like my own child, and I love you very much. I pray that God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord will continue to help you and be kind to you. I pray that they will give you peace in your mind.

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