And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

JOHN 17:5KJV
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John 17:5 (KJV)

What does John 17:5 mean?

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.

The Greek behind John 17:5

  • 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.

Why John 17:5 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“self” Greek G4572 · used in 39 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Luke 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
  • Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

“before” Greek G4253 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
  • John 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

“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.

“was” Greek G1511 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
  • Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.