What does John 17:17 mean?

Explanation

John 17:17 is a verse from the Farewell Discourse of Jesus, which contains Jesus' final teachings and prayers before His crucifixion.

In this verse, Jesus prays to the Father on behalf of His disciples, asking for their sanctification, which means being set apart for holy use or being made holy. The means of this sanctification is the truth, and Jesus defines what that truth is: God's word.

Here, truth is not just a concept or doctrine, but it is also aligned with the nature of God and His revelation to humanity.

The word of God is not merely a collection of statements but embodies God's will, character, and promises. When Jesus refers to God's word as truth, it is therefore both transformative and authoritative for the believer's life.

Historical Context

John 17:17 comes from the Gospel of John, which was written in a first-century Greco-Roman context, primarily to a Christian audience that was both Jewish and Gentile by background.

The exact date of its writing is debated, but it is often placed toward the end of the first century.

By this time, early Christians faced various challenges including persecution, false teaching, and the need to understand the identity and mission of Jesus.

Jesus' prayer for sanctification for His disciples is set against the backdrop of His impending departure (His death, resurrection, and ascension). He is preparing them for the time when they will carry forward His mission without His physical presence.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse intersects several important Christian beliefs:

• Sanctification: It highlights the process by which believers are made holy, which is an ongoing work of God in the life of the believer that is distinct from the initial justification or salvation experience.
• Revelation: It underscores the Bible as God's revealed truth. For many Christians, this affirms the divine inspiration and authority of the Scriptures.
• Christology: Implicit is the understanding that Jesus embodies this truth, as elsewhere in John’s Gospel Jesus is described as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
• Unity with God: Jesus prays to God using the possessive pronoun "thy," indicating a close, personal relationship. This unity between Jesus and the Father models the desired relationship between believers and God.

From a different perspective, some may see in this verse an ecumenical call for unity around the truth of the Scriptures, suggesting that shared commitment to truth can bring about greater unity among Christians.

Practical Applications

Applying John 17:17 to daily life might involve several aspects:

• Seeking spiritual growth through engaging with the Bible as the primary source of God’s truth.
• Endeavoring to live a life that aligns with the teachings found in Scripture.
• Using God's word as the guiding principle for discerning truth from false doctrine or teachings.
• Prayer for personal and communal sanctification as a regular practice.

Cross-References

• Truth and Word of God: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
• Sanctification: "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
• Jesus as Truth: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Language Study

The original Greek text of John 17:17 provides further insight:

• "Sanctify" (ἁγιάζω, hagiazō): To make holy, consecrate, set apart.
• "Truth" (ἀλήθεια, alētheia): What is true in any matter, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to humans.
• "Word" (λόγος, logos): In the context of the Gospel of John, it relates to divine expression, the message of the gospel, and Christ Himself as the living Word.

The phrase "thy truth" shows possessive form in Greek, underlining the idea that truth belongs to or emanates from God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons to other ancient religious texts and myths might show different conceptions of truth and sanctity:

• Ancient Greek philosophy often sought ultimate truth through reason and dialogue, with figures like Plato emphasizing the importance of the eternal forms as truth.
• In Judaism, the Torah is considered the foundational truth and guide for life. Psalm 119 often celebrates the law of God as truth.
• Various Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, pursue truth through spiritual enlightenment and practices, sometimes viewed as beyond the bounds of language.

Christianity's assertion in John 17:17 ties truth directly to the divine revelation and personhood of God rather than abstract philosophy or enlightenment.

Scientific Perspectives

While John 17:17 speaks primarily to spiritual and moral realities, scientific perspectives can inform our understanding of truth:

• In science, truth is often equated with facts that are observable, testable, and reproducible. This concept differs from biblical truth which includes historical and spiritual dimensions that are understood through faith.
• Studies in psychology and sociology show that humans often seek and function better with a guiding set of beliefs or truths, which aligns with the verse's implication of the necessity of sanctification through truth.

Commentaries

Commentaries from various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse interpretations of this verse:

• William Barclay highlights the Greek concept of truth as something that is unconcealed, suggesting that God's truth is fully revealed and accessible in His word.
• Matthew Henry comments on the need for internal sanctification brought about by truth, which is more than mere external conformity.
• D.A. Carson emphasizes the word "sanctify" as a transformational process, where the truth of God's word challenges and changes believers to live in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Overall, experts tend to converge on the idea that John 17:17 is centrally about the transformative power of divine truth as revealed in God's word.