Bible Study

In John 17:1-2, Jesus lifts His eyes and asks the Father to glorify the Son that the Son may glorify Him; authority for eternal life is knowing the Father and Jesus Christ; He finished the work and asks for the glory He had before the world John records the moment so that readers may see Jesus clearly and respond in faith. Listen to the text: “Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give…”

High priestly prayer begins with mutual glory and the definition of eternal life: knowing God and Christ. Preexistent glory is claimed and requested again after the finished work. Belief is John’s central verb of response. To believe is to trust the Son whom the Father sent—receiving eternal life rather than remaining in death. Faith is not a vague optimism; it is personal reliance on Jesus’ word and work.

Jesus’ high priestly prayer: He glorifies the Father, keeps and sanctifies the disciples, and asks unity and love for all who will believe. This passage belongs in that movement: John 17:1-2 is not an isolated saying but a step in John’s portrait of Jesus. John holds together the Father’s love and the Son’s obedience: eternal life is knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

A pastoral word for today: Practice trust as leaning your weight on Jesus’ promise. Where unbelief lingers, bring it into the light and ask for life.

As you reflect on John 17:1-2, ask what it reveals about Jesus—the Son who reveals the Father. John writes so that you may believe and, believing, have life in His name. Scripture like this is meant to be trusted, obeyed, and shared.