Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 50 - Section 170

Read John 17:1-5. This prayer by our Lord, commonly known as the High Priestly Prayer, was made by our Lord as He walked with the disciples to the Mount of Olives. It seems to divide into three main sections: in verses 1-5, our Lord makes a request for Himself; in verses 6-19, His requests are for the eleven disciples and in 20-26 for all believers.

1. When our Lord says the hour, or the time, has now come, to what is He referring?

2. In verse 1, our Lord makes a request and then gives a reason for that request. He gives a second reason in verse 2. What is the request, and what are the two reasons?

3. When our Lord asks that the Father glorify the Son, what do you think He is asking for? (See John 13:27-32 and Philippians 2:5-11.)

4. What does verse 5 say about our Lord?

Read John 17:6-19. According to verses 6-9, Jesus is now asking on behalf of those men whom the Father had given Him. Here it refers to the twelve apostles less Judas. In the broadest sense, it applies to all those who had come to believe in Him and accept Him as the Messiah.

5. Our Lord states some things about the men God had given Him in verses 6-9. What things did our Lord state about these Men?

6. Jesus has yet to be arrested, tried, crucified, buried, resurrected and taken up into heaven. How can He, therefore, state that He is no longer in the world in verse 11?

7. What three things does our Lord request of His Father on behalf of His eleven disciples? See verses 11, 15 and 17.

8. Our Lord asks the Father to keep these disciples in His name. He also states that while He was with them, He kept them in the Father’s name and guarded them (Verses 11-12). What does He mean then when He asks the Father to keep them in His name?

9. What does our Lord mean when He asks to keep them from the evil one?

10. What is our Lord asking for when He asks the Father to sanctify them?

Read John 17:20-26. Now our Lord goes on to include more than just His immediate disciples in His prayer.

11. On behalf of whom does our Lord ask in verse 20?

12. What is our Lord’s request of His Father for those for whom He prays in verses 21-23?

13. What is our Lord’s request of His Father for those for whom He prays in verse 24?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.