Chapter 17
John 17:6–19
Theme: Jesus intercedes for His disciples—asking the Father to protect, unite, sanctify, and send them into the world.
6 “I have revealed who You are to those You gave Me from the world. They were always Yours—
and You gave them to Me, and they have held firmly to Your word. 7 Now they know everything I have comes from You. 8 The words You gave Me, I gave to them. They accepted them, they know I came from You, and they believe that You sent Me.
9 I’m praying for them. I’m not praying for the world, but for those You’ve given to Me—because they belong to You. 10 All who are Mine belong to You, and You have given them to Me—and My glory is shown through them.
11 I’m leaving the world now, but they are staying. Holy Father, protect them in Your name,
the name You’ve given Me, so that they may be one, just as We are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in Your name, just as You gave Me to do. None of them was lost except the one destined to be lost—so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 But now I’m coming back to You. I say these things while I’m still here so that they may be filled with My joy. 14 I’ve given them Your word, and the world hates them, because they don’t belong to the world—just as I don’t. 15 I’m not asking You to take them out of the world,
but to protect them from the evil one.
16 They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t. 17 Set them apart by the truth—Your word is truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I set Myself apart as a holy offering for them, so they too may be made holy through the truth.”
IN THIS LESSON
What’s Really Going On?
Jesus shifts His focus from glorifying the Father through His own mission (vv.1–5) to praying for His disciples—the ones who have walked closely with Him, received His words, and believed in His identity as the One sent from God.
He acknowledges their faith and their vulnerability. He knows what they’re about to face: confusion, fear, and hostility from the world. So He lifts them up in prayer—not to remove them from the world, but to protect them, unify them, and set them apart in truth so they can carry His mission forward.
This section is personal, pastoral, and powerful—a spiritual commissioning from Jesus Himself.
Jesus reminds the Father that the disciples belong to Him, and have held tightly to His Word (v.6–8).
He asks not for escape, but for spiritual protection from evil (v.15).
What Was Said or Done?
He affirms their belief that He came from God (v.8).
He clearly states: “I’m not praying for the world, but for those You gave Me” (v.9).
He prays that His disciples would be filled with His joy, even in their coming trials (v.13).
Jesus names the cost: the world will hate them, just as it hated Him (v.14).
Finally, He prays for their sanctification—to be set apart by the truth of God’s Word (v.17–19), just as He has set Himself apart as a holy offering for them.
He asks the Father to protect them in His name, to keep them united in purpose and love (v.11).
Jesus acknowledges that Judas—the “son of destruction”—fulfilled Scripture by his betrayal (v.12).
Let’s Talk About It
Let’s Talk About It
Decisions They Faced
The disciples were about to face the testing of their faith—betrayal, the crucifixion, and persecution.
Jesus’s prayer asked them to embrace three realities:
They don’t belong to the world anymore.
They’re sent into the world with a mission.
They must be grounded in truth to fulfill it.
Their decision: Would they stay faithful to Jesus and to each other, even when the world rejected them?
What Happened Next?
Jesus was arrested just hours later. The disciples scattered. Peter denied Him.
But Jesus’s prayer wasn’t in vain. After the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:
They became bold, unified, and unshakable witnesses.
They preached with authority and truth.
They were protected spiritually, though many suffered physically.
They lived set apart—changed by the truth and filled with joy even in trials.
Living It Out
Living It Out
💬 Let’s Make It Personal
Do you see yourself as “set apart” in the truth? Are there areas of your life where you’ve blended in with the world rather than living as sent by God?
What does spiritual protection mean for you right now? Are there lies or temptations threatening your focus or faith?
Are you experiencing the joy Jesus prayed for? If not, what may be stealing it?
Your Next Step
Action 1: Reflect on Your Identity
Write down how Jesus describes His followers in this passage:
Belong to the Father
Received the Word
Believe Jesus was sent
Hated by the world
Protected by God
Sent and sanctified
Then write your name next to each one and pray:
“Jesus, let this be true of me. Make me bold, holy, and filled with Your joy.”
Action 2: Meditate on John 17:17
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
Read one verse of Scripture each morning this week and ask:
“God, what truth do You want to set me apart with today?”
Action 3: Live Set Apart
Choose one way to live differently this week because you belong to Jesus.
Examples: speak life when others gossip, take a social media fast, be generous with someone in need, pray instead of complain.