Johannes 17:4

4 Ich habe dich verklärt auf Erden und vollendet das Werk, das du mir gegeben hast, daß ich es tun sollte.

Johannes 17:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth
This is made use of as a reason and argument, why the Father should glorify him: Christ glorified his Father personally, as he held forth and expressed the glory of his person; and verbally, by ascribing, on all occasions, praise and glory to him; and really, or by deeds, and that by various ways: as in and by his ministry; by asserting he had his mission, qualifications, and doctrine, from him as a prophet; his principal work was to declare his Father's mind and will, his love and grace; nor did he seek his own, but his Father's glory: and by his miracles: for though these were proofs of his deity and Messiahship, and displays of his own glory; yet the glory of his Father, especially of his power, was eminently seen in them, for he referred them to him; and these were often the means of men's glorifying the God of Israel: and by his whole life and conversation, which was entirely according to the will of God; and every action of it was directed to his glory; particularly he glorified him by his early regard to his will, and the business he sent him about; by his zeal for his Father's house; and by the exercise of the various graces of faith, hope, and love upon him: and as by his life, so at his death, even all the while he was "on the earth"; where God had been dishonoured by the sin of men; where Christ now was debased in human nature, and even that was for the glory of God; and this is said in distinction from heaven, where God is glorified by the angels, and where Christ would shortly be glorified in his human nature:

I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do;
by "the work" is meant obedience to the will of God; the destruction of all spiritual enemies, as sin, Satan, the world, and death; and the redemption and salvation of his people, which was "given" him to do: he did not take it upon himself, but being called to it he readily accepted of it; it was appointed, and cut out for him, in the council and covenant of grace; he was thoroughly acquainted with it; and though it was difficult, it was pleasant and delightful to him; nor did he leave it till he could say it is "finished"; as it was by himself alone, without the help of man; and is so complete that nothing can be added to it; and so firmly done, that it cannot be unravelled by men and devils: he speaks of it as done, because the time was come to finish it, and he was sure of the accomplishment of it.

Johannes 17:4 In-Context

2 Gleichwie du ihm Macht hast gegeben über alles Fleisch, auf daß er das ewige Leben gebe allen, die du ihm gegeben hast.
3 Das ist aber das ewige Leben, daß sie dich, der du allein wahrer Gott bist, und den du gesandt hast, Jesum Christum, erkennen.
4 Ich habe dich verklärt auf Erden und vollendet das Werk, das du mir gegeben hast, daß ich es tun sollte.
5 Und nun verkläre mich du, Vater, bei dir selbst mit der Klarheit, die ich bei dir hatte, ehe die Welt war.
6 Ich habe deinen Namen offenbart den Menschen, die du mir von der Welt gegeben hast. Sie waren dein, und du hast sie mir gegeben, und sie haben dein Wort behalten.
The Luther Bible is in the public domain.