Juan 17:20

20 Mas no ruego sólo por éstos, sino también por los que han de creer en mí por la palabra de ellos,

Juan 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.

Juan 17:20 In-Context

18 Como tú me enviaste al mundo, yo también los he enviado al mundo.

19 Y por ellos yo me santifico, para que ellos también sean santificados en la verdad.

20 Mas no ruego sólo por éstos, sino también por los que han de creer en mí por la palabra de ellos,

21 para que todos sean uno. Como tú, oh Padre, estás en mí y yo en ti, que también ellos estén en nosotros, para que el mundo crea que tú me enviaste.

22 La gloria que me diste les he dado, para que sean uno, así como nosotros somos uno: