These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

JOHN 17:1KJV
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John 17:1 (KJV)

What does John 17:1 mean?

John 17:1 shows Jesus speaking directly to God the Father, saying that the time has come for his mission to reach its climax. Jesus asks the Father to glorify him, so that he, in turn, can bring glory to the Father.

In this verse, Jesus is praying just before his arrest and crucifixion, with his disciples present. The phrase "the hour is come" points to a decisive moment in Jesus' life and purpose. The request for glory is not about fame, but about revealing God's true character and purpose through what is about to happen.

The Greek behind John 17:1

  • "Glorify" (δοξασον, doxason): This word means to honor, reveal, or make known the true nature of someone. Here, Jesus is asking God to reveal his true identity and purpose through the events that are about to unfold.
  • "Hour" (ὥρα, hōra): In John's Gospel, "the hour" often refers to the specific time of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. It signals a turning point in the story, where everything Jesus came to do is about to be fulfilled.
  • "Father" (πατήρ, patēr): Jesus addresses God with an intimate term, showing a close relationship. This sets the tone for the whole prayer that follows in John 17.

Why John 17:1 matters

  • John 17:1 marks the beginning of what is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer," a unique moment where Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and future believers.
  • The verse clarifies that Jesus' idea of being "glorified" is deeply connected to his suffering and death, not worldly success or honor.
  • This prayer highlights the unity and shared purpose between Jesus and the Father, which becomes a central theme in the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G1869 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
  • Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
  • Acts 14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

“glorify” Greek G1392 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
  • Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

“eyes” Greek G3788 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
  • Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
  • John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.