“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”
My Notes
What Does John 17:24 Mean?
Jesus prays to the Father with a desire that is almost painful in its intimacy: I will that they be with me where I am. The prayer is for presence — Jesus wants his people near him. Not just forgiven. Not just saved. With him.
"That they may behold my glory" — the purpose of the togetherness is vision. Jesus wants you to see his glory — the glory the Father gave him before the foundation of the world. The full, unveiled, pre-creation glory that no human eye has yet seen.
"Which thou hast given me" — the glory belongs to Jesus by gift from the Father. It is relational glory — glory that flows between Father and Son.
"For thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" — the love predates creation. Before the world existed, the Father loved the Son. And Jesus' prayer is that the people the Father gave him would enter into that eternal, pre-creation love and see the glory it produces.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean that Jesus' prayer for you is about presence — being with him — rather than just blessing?
- 2.How does 'beholding his glory' describe the central experience of eternity?
- 3.What does love 'before the foundation of the world' mean for the permanence of your relationship with God?
- 4.How does knowing Jesus actively desires your nearness change your sense of being wanted?
Devotional
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am. Jesus is praying — and what he wants is you. Near him. With him. Where he is.
This is not a prayer for your protection or your provision. It is a prayer for your proximity. Jesus wants you close. That is his desire — expressed to the Father, in the most intimate prayer in Scripture.
That they may behold my glory. He wants you to see it. The glory that existed before the world was made. The radiance of the Son that has been hidden from human eyes since creation. He wants to show you.
Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. The love between Father and Son predates everything. Before time, before matter, before the first atom — love. And Jesus is asking that you be brought into that love. Not as an outsider looking in. As someone who is with him, seeing his glory, inside the relationship.
That is what heaven is: being with Jesus, seeing his glory, inside the love that existed before the world began. Every other description of heaven is secondary to this one.
Jesus wants you there. He prayed for it. And the Father always hears the Son.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
O righteous Father,.... God is righteous in all the divine persons: the Father is righteous, the Son is righteous, and…
I will - This expression, though it commonly denotes command, is here only expressive of desire. It is used in prayer,…
That they may behold my glory - That they may enjoy eternal felicity with me in thy kingdom. So the word is used, Joh…
Here is, I. A petition for the glorifying of all those that were given to Christ (Joh 17:24), not only these apostles,…
Father Comp. Joh 17:17; Joh 17:17; Joh 17:17, Joh 11:41; Joh 12:27. The relationship is the ground of the appeal; He…
Cross References
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