“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”
My Notes
What Does John 17:2 Mean?
Jesus prays to the Father and describes the authority he has been given: power over all flesh, for a specific purpose — to give eternal life to as many as the Father has given him.
The authority is comprehensive: all flesh. Every human being is under Christ's jurisdiction. The power is not limited to believers. It extends over all — though the gift of eternal life is directed to a specific group.
"As many as thou hast given him" — the recipients of eternal life are described as given by the Father to the Son. The giving precedes the receiving. The Father chose. The Son gives eternal life to those the Father chose.
The verse holds together universal authority (power over all flesh) and particular salvation (eternal life to as many as given). Christ rules everything. He saves those given to him. Both are true simultaneously.
The next verse (v.3) defines eternal life: knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he sent. The eternal life is relational, not just durational.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does 'power over all flesh' mean for Christ's authority over every person?
- 2.How does the Father 'giving' people to the Son describe the initiative behind your salvation?
- 3.What does the purpose of universal authority being to give eternal life reveal about how Christ uses power?
- 4.How does being 'given' to Jesus by the Father change your sense of security?
Devotional
As thou hast given him power over all flesh. All flesh. Every person. The authority of Jesus extends over everyone — not just believers, not just Israel, not just the willing. All flesh is under his power.
That he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. The authority has a purpose: giving eternal life. The power over all is exercised for the benefit of those the Father has given. The universal authority serves the particular salvation.
As many as thou hast given him. The language of giving is intimate. The Father gave people to the Son. Before they believed. Before they responded. The giving was the Father's initiative. The eternal life is the Son's gift to those already given.
The verse reveals the inner workings of the Trinity in salvation: the Father gives people to the Son. The Son gives eternal life to those the Father gave. The transaction is between Father and Son — and you are the gift being exchanged.
You were given to Jesus by the Father. Not as an afterthought. Not as a random selection. Given — intentionally, specifically, by name. And the Son received you — and gives you eternal life.
The security of your salvation is not in your grip. It is in the giving. The Father gave you to the Son. And the Son does not lose what the Father gives (John 6:39).
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
As thou hast given him power over all flesh,.... All men, in distinction from angels; and these as fallen, as weak,…
As thou hast given him power - It was on the ground of this power given to Christ that the apostles were commanded to go…
As thou hast given him power - As the Messiah, Jesus Christ received from the Father universal dominion. All flesh, i.e.…
Here we have, I. The circumstances of this prayer, Joh 17:1. Many a solemn prayer Christ made in the days of his flesh…
As thou hast given him power Better, Even as Thou gavest Him authority. The authority was given once for all, and is the…
Cross References
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