John 17 11

John 17:11 kjv

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

John 17:11 nkjv

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

John 17:11 niv

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:11 esv

And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

John 17:11 nlt

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.

John 17 verses

John 17 11 Meaning

John 17:11 presents Jesus' heartfelt intercession to God the Father on behalf of His disciples. Acknowledging His imminent departure from the earthly realm and their continued presence in a hostile world, Jesus prays for their divine protection. He specifically requests that the Father would "keep them" by exercising His very "name"—representing His character, power, and authority—which the Father had entrusted to Jesus. The ultimate purpose of this preservation is that the disciples may experience a profound unity among themselves, mirroring the perfect unity shared between the Father and the Son.

John 17 11 Context

John chapter 17 is known as Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," offered just hours before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It is a profound, intimate communication between the Son and the Father, revealing Jesus' heart and priorities for His disciples and all future believers. Verse 11 is situated within the second section of this prayer (vv. 6-19), which focuses specifically on the eleven faithful disciples. The context is one of transition: Jesus is preparing to leave the physical presence of His disciples and return to the Father (His glorification). Recognizing that His disciples will remain in a world that will reject them, He expresses His deep concern for their spiritual preservation and unity in His absence. This prayer contrasts His temporary presence on earth with their ongoing mission within it, necessitating divine protection against the hostile influences of the "world" and a profound, unifying bond among themselves.

John 17 11 Word analysis

• And now: This phrase (Greek: Kai nyn - Καὶ νῦν) signifies a pivotal moment, a present reality leading to a new state. It marks the imminent transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to His return to the Father.
• I am no longer in the world: (Egō ouketi eimi en tō kosmō - Ἐγὼ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ). Jesus asserts His impending physical departure and ascension. "World" (kosmos) here refers primarily to the earthly realm of human existence, specifically that part of humanity and its systems alienated from God, which rejected Jesus and would likewise reject His followers.
• but they are in the world: (kai autoi en tō kosmō eisin - καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ εἰσίν). This highlights the disciples' continuing physical presence in that same hostile kosmos. Their remaining means they face challenges, temptations, and opposition, necessitating divine intervention.
• and I am coming to You: (kai egō pros se erchomai - καὶ ἐγὼ πρὸς σὲ ἔρχομαι). A declaration of Jesus' return to His pre-incarnate glory and intimate fellowship with the Father. It sets up the critical need for His prayer, as He will no longer be physically present to protect them.
• Holy Father: (Pater Hagie - Πάτερ Ἅγιε). This unique address to God as "Holy Father" (it's the only time this specific address is used in the New Testament) underscores God's absolute purity, moral perfection, and distinctness from the fallen world. It implicitly calls upon God's very nature to protect those who are His.
• keep them: (tērēson autous - τήρησον αὐτούς). The verb tērēson is an imperative, meaning "preserve," "guard," "watch over," "protect." It denotes careful, continuous watchfulness against danger, signifying God's active, intentional preservation of the disciples.
• in Your name: (en tō onomati sou - ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου). "Name" (onoma) in biblical thought represents the essence, character, authority, reputation, power, and very presence of the person. To be kept "in Your name" means to be preserved by God's intrinsic nature, power, and authority. It implies being enclosed within the sphere of His divine protection and power.
• which You have given Me: (hō dedōkas moi - ᾧ δέδωκάς μοι). This refers to the Father entrusting His divine character and authority (His "name") to the Son during His earthly ministry. It implies that Jesus acts with the Father's authority and essence, and this shared divine authority is the basis for the disciples' preservation. The Father's "name" that was with Jesus is now the power that will keep the disciples.
• that they may be one: (hina hōsin hen - ἵνα ὦσιν ἕν). This clause expresses the purpose of their preservation. "One" (hen) refers to spiritual unity, not necessarily uniformity. This unity is crucial for their witness and perseverance in the world. It’s a profound spiritual cohesion based on shared faith, purpose, and relationship with God.
• just as We are one: (kathōs hēmeis - καθὼς ἡμεῖς ἕν ἐσμεν - kathōs hēmeis hen esmen). The ultimate model for the disciples' unity is the perfect, profound unity of essence, purpose, will, and love within the Godhead (Father and Son). This unity serves as both the pattern and the power for their corporate life. It is not about becoming a single person, but a harmonious communion reflecting the Trinity.

John 17 11 Bonus section

The concept of God's "name" in this verse goes beyond mere identity; it encompasses His active presence and operative power. When Jesus prays for His disciples to be "kept in Your name," He is invoking the Father's omnipotent nature to shelter them from the spiritual and worldly forces arrayed against them (John 17:15). The unity sought by Jesus is not a superficial organizational or emotional unity, but a profound, Spirit-empowered spiritual cohesion that arises from being rooted in the same divine life that unites the Father and the Son. This "oneness" is central to the church's witness, making the unseen God visible in the loving relationships of His people (John 17:23). Furthermore, this prayer foreshadows the work of the Holy Spirit, who would be sent to indwell believers and enable this very unity and perseverance (John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4). The "giving" of the name to Jesus speaks of shared authority and divine commissioning, underscoring the perfect obedience of the Son to the Father and their shared mission in redemption.

John 17 11 Commentary

John 17:11 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' loving care and strategic intercession for His followers as He faced His impending passion and departure. The verse encapsulates three vital aspects: the reality of His ascension, the ongoing challenge for His disciples in a hostile world, and His earnest prayer for their divine preservation and profound unity. By calling upon God as "Holy Father," Jesus appeals to God's fundamental nature of purity and power, demonstrating a unique relationship. The core of the prayer is for His disciples to be "kept in Your name"—a rich theological concept implying protection within the very essence, character, and authority of God Himself, specifically the divine authority previously vested in Jesus. This preservation is not an end in itself but serves the higher purpose of achieving "oneness" among believers, mirroring the intimate, existential unity shared by the Father and the Son. This Trinitarian unity serves as both the ideal and the spiritual resource for the church's communion, ensuring that despite external pressures and internal diversity, believers can stand together in shared faith and mission. For believers today, this verse underscores the ongoing reality of God's active preservation through Christ's intercession and the indispensable value of unity rooted in Him. Practical examples include prioritizing corporate worship and fellowship despite differences, actively seeking reconciliation and forgiveness within the Christian community, and recognizing that our individual faith journey is interconnected with the collective body of Christ.