Question 1

What does John 17:5 mean?

Accepted Answer

John 17:5 records Jesus asking God the Father to restore Him to the glory and honor He shared with the Father before the world existed. Jesus is speaking about returning to the divine presence and status He had before coming to earth. In this verse, Jesus is praying to God the Father just before His arrest, during what is often called the "High Priestly Prayer." Jesus refers to a unique glory He shared with the Father "before the world was," pointing to His existence before creation. This moment highlights Jesus’ relationship with God and His anticipation of returning to that original, heavenly glory after completing His earthly mission.

Question 2

The Greek behind John 17:5

Accepted Answer

The word δόξα (doxa, "glory") here often means honor, splendor, or divine radiance. Jesus is not just asking for respect but for the full, divine glory He had before creation. The phrase πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι (pro tou ton kosmon einai, "before the world was") emphasizes that Jesus is speaking of a time before anything was created, underscoring His pre-existence. The verb ἐδόξασα (edoxasa, "glorify") is a request for the Father to actively restore Jesus to this former glory, not something Jesus claims for Himself.

Question 3

Why John 17:5 matters

Accepted Answer

John 17:5 clarifies that Jesus claims a unique, eternal relationship with God, existing before creation, which is a key point in understanding His identity in the Gospel of John. This verse connects Jesus’ earthly mission with His divine origin, showing that His work on earth is part of a much larger story. The verse helps explain why Jesus can speak with such authority and confidence about returning to the Father, and why His followers later describe Him as more than just a teacher or prophet.

John 17:5 (KJV)