John 17:1

Lifting up (epara). First aorist active participle of epairw, old and common verb with opqalmou (eyes) as in Romans 4:35 ; Romans 6:5 ; Romans 11:41 . Father (Pater). Vocative form as in verses Romans 5 11 ; Romans 11:41 , Christ's usual way of beginning his prayers. It is inconceivable that this real Lord's Prayer is the free composition of a disciple put into the mouth of Jesus. It is rather "the tenacious memory of an old man recalling the greatest days of his life" (Bernard), aided by the Holy Spirit promised for this very purpose ( John 14:26 ; John 16:13 ). Jesus had the habit of prayer ( Mark 1:35 ; Mark 6:46 ; Matthew 11:25 ; Luke 3:21 ; Luke 5:16 ; Luke 6:12 ; Luke 9:18 Luke 9:28 Luke 11:22 Luke 11:42 ; Luke 23:34 Luke 23:46 ; John 11:41 ; John 12:27 ). He prayed here for himself ( John 17:1-5 ), for the disciples ( John 6-19 ), for all believers ( John 20-26 ). The prayer is similar in spirit to the Model Prayer for us in Matthew 6:9-13 . The hour for his glorification has come as he had already told the disciples ( 13:31 ; 12:23 ). Glorify thy Son (doxason sou ton uion). First aorist active imperative of doxazw, the only personal petition in this prayer. Jesus had already used this word doxazw for his death ( 13:31 ). Here it carries us into the very depths of Christ's own consciousness. It is not merely for strength to meet the Cross, but for the power to glorify the Father by his death and resurrection and ascension, "that the Son may glorify thee" (ina o uio doxash se). Purpose clause with ina and the first aorist active subjunctive.