John 17:16 kjv
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:16 nkjv
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:16 niv
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
John 17:16 esv
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:16 nlt
They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
John 17 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 15:18-19 | "If the world hates you... you are not of the world..." | World's animosity due to divine identity |
| Jn 8:23 | "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." | Jesus' unique heavenly origin |
| Jn 17:14 | "The world has hated them because they are not of the world..." | Reiterates the basis for the world's hatred |
| Jn 17:18 | "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." | Believers' mission in the world |
| Jn 17:17 | "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." | Sanctification enables separation |
| Jas 4:4 | "Friendship with the world is enmity with God." | Spiritual warning against worldly alignment |
| 1 Jn 2:15-17 | "Do not love the world or the things in the world..." | Command to forsake worldly affection |
| Rom 12:2 | "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed..." | Call to ethical and spiritual distinctiveness |
| Phil 3:20 | "But our citizenship is in heaven..." | Believers' true homeland and allegiance |
| Col 3:1-2 | "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." | Heavenly focus and perspective |
| Eph 2:19 | "You are no longer strangers... but fellow citizens with the saints..." | Believers belong to God's household |
| 2 Cor 6:14-18 | "Do not be unequally yoked... Come out from among them..." | Imperative for holy separation in conduct |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | Identity as God's specially chosen people |
| Tit 2:14 | "He gave Himself for us... to purify for Himself a people for His own possession..." | Christ's purpose: a distinct people for Himself |
| Lev 20:26 | "You shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you..." | Old Testament principle of divine separation |
| Deut 14:2 | "You are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you..." | Israel's covenant identity as distinct |
| Gal 1:4 | "who gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age..." | Deliverance from the character of this age |
| Heb 11:13-16 | "They confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth..." | Faith-filled pilgrim identity |
| Jn 16:33 | "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." | Assurance in Christ's victory over worldly opposition |
| 1 Cor 2:12 | "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God..." | Distinguishing spirit guiding believers |
| Rev 18:4 | "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins..." | Final call for spiritual and ethical exodus |
John 17 verses
John 17 16 Meaning
John 17:16 declares a profound truth about the identity of believers: their essence, origin, and allegiance are not derived from the fallen world system. This statement implies a spiritual distinction in their nature, values, and purpose, directly mirroring Jesus' own separation from the worldly realm. It emphasizes that while believers exist physically in the world, their spiritual citizenship, priorities, and character belong to a different, divine sphere.
John 17 16 Context
John 17 is often referred to as Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, spoken to His Father just hours before His crucifixion. The prayer consists of three main parts: Jesus praying for Himself (vv. 1-5), for His disciples (vv. 6-19), and for all future believers (vv. 20-26). Verse 16 falls within His intercession for His immediate disciples. Prior to this verse, Jesus has stated that He has given His disciples God's Word, which is why the world hates them (v. 14). He prays not for their removal from the world but for their protection in it (v. 15) and specifically for their sanctification by truth (v. 17). Historically and culturally, "the world" (kosmos) in John's Gospel frequently refers to human society alienated from God, steeped in idolatry, moral decay, and hostile to divine truth. Jesus' statement served as a strong distinction against prevailing worldly philosophies and pagan worship prevalent in the Greco-Roman world.
John 17 16 Word analysis
- They (autoí): This Greek pronoun primarily refers to the disciples whom Jesus had gathered and trained (cf. Jn 17:6). In the broader scope of John 17 and Christian theology, it implicitly extends to all who would believe through their message (Jn 17:20), indicating that this distinct identity is for all true followers of Christ.
- are not (ouk eisin): This strong negative form ("οὐκ εἰσίν") emphasizes a categorical and absolute denial. It's not a mere suggestion or aspiration, but a declarative statement about the fundamental nature and true allegiance of believers. Their existence and essence are intrinsically distinct.
- of the world (ek tou kósmou):
- ek (Greek: ἐκ): A preposition denoting origin, source, or derivation. It implies "out of," "from," or "belonging to." Thus, believers' true nature, values, and way of life do not originate from or belong to the "world" system.
- tou kósmou (Greek: τοῦ κόσμου): "The world." In the Johannine writings, kósmos (κόσμος) frequently carries a specialized theological meaning. While it can mean the created universe or humanity in general, in passages like John 17, it signifies humanity organized and existing in alienation from God, controlled by sin, opposing divine truth, and rejecting Christ. It encompasses worldly systems of values, priorities, and desires.
- just as (kathṓs): (Greek: καθώς). This conjunction functions as a comparative and causal particle, meaning "just as," "according as," or "as also." It establishes a direct and perfect parallel between Jesus' identity and His disciples' identity. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example and standard for this "non-worldly" existence.
- I am not of the world (ouk eimí ek tou kósmou): Jesus reiterates His inherent, unique status. His identity and authority are heavenly, not earthly. His kingdom is "not of this world" (Jn 18:36), meaning its source, power, and nature are spiritual and divine, transcending and differing from human political or social systems. This declaration serves as the bedrock and pattern for the disciples' own distinct identity.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "They are not of the world": This phrase asserts the spiritual discontinuity between believers and the prevailing societal system apart from God. It declares a change of allegiance, a new birth, and a distinct moral and spiritual compass. Believers derive their identity from Christ, not from cultural norms or human wisdom, signifying a fundamental rupture from their former "worldly" state.
- "just as I am not of the world": This parallel highlights that the separation of believers from the world is not merely a moral imperative but a participation in the very nature and identity of Jesus Christ. Their distinctiveness is Christocentric, reflecting His divine origin, transcendent authority, and allegiance to the Father alone. It underscores that the call to be "not of the world" is not about self-effort but about reflecting the very pattern of the Son of God.
John 17 16 Bonus section
The "not of the world" identity is both a divine declaration and a constant call to live in accordance with one's new nature in Christ. It's not about being peculiar for the sake of it, but living out righteousness, love, humility, and truth that intrinsically oppose worldly self-centeredness, pride, and materialism. This distinction inevitably leads to conflict with the world (Jn 15:19), as the values of the kingdom of light clash with the values of the kingdom of darkness. Yet, this very opposition serves to highlight the authenticity and transformative power of God's presence in believers. The source of this non-worldliness is the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables believers to overcome the world (1 Jn 5:4) by having the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).
John 17 16 Commentary
John 17:16 is a powerful statement about the radical nature of Christian identity. It's a declaration of who believers fundamentally are in Christ: spiritual foreigners in an unredeemed world. This doesn't call for physical withdrawal from society, but a deep spiritual and ethical non-conformity. While Jesus sends His followers into the world to bear witness (Jn 17:18), they are never to belong to its fallen systems of values, principles, and pursuits (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15). Their mindsets, ambitions, and sources of truth are heavenly, derived from God's Word. This spiritual detachment enables them to live with integrity amidst corrupt influences and to stand as lights that expose the darkness, reflecting the character of their non-worldly Lord.