Johannes 17:20

20 Ich bitte aber nicht allein für sie, sondern auch für die, so durch ihr Wort an mich glauben werden,

Johannes 17:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 17:20

Neither pray I for these alone
Meaning his immediate apostles and disciples, for whose preservation and sanctification he had been particularly praying in ( John 17:19 ) ; and now, that it might not be thought that these were his only favourites, and the only persons he had a regard for, and to whom his intercession and sacrifice were confined; he adds,

but for them also which shall believe in me through their word:
Christ is the object of true faith; which faith is not a mere assent of the mind to any truth concerning Christ, as that he is the Son of God, the Messiah and Saviour of the world; but it is a spiritual sight of him, of the necessity, fitness, and suitableness of him as a Saviour, a going forth unto him, laying hold on him, and depending upon him for life and salvation; of which the preaching of the Gospel is the instrumental means: it is indeed a gift of God, and a fruit of electing grace, and which is secured by it; hence our Lord knew that there would be a number, in all successive generations, that would believe in him, through the ministry of the word; and for these persons, and their conversion, and the success of the Gospel, to the good of their souls, he prays.

Johannes 17:20 In-Context

18 Gleichwie du mich gesandt hast in die Welt, so sende ich sie auch in die Welt.

19 Ich heilige mich selbst für sie, auf daß auch sie geheiligt seien in der Wahrheit.

20 Ich bitte aber nicht allein für sie, sondern auch für die, so durch ihr Wort an mich glauben werden,

21 auf daß sie alle eins seien, gleichwie du, Vater, in mir und ich in dir; daß auch sie in uns eins seien, auf daß die Welt glaube, du habest mich gesandt.

22 Und ich habe ihnen gegeben die Herrlichkeit, die du mir gegeben hast, daß sie eins seien, gleichwie wir eins sind,