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John 17:20

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

John 17:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 I'm praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 "I'm not praying only for them. I'm also praying for those who will believe in me through their message.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 "I do not pray only for them. I pray also for those who will believe in me because of their message.

John 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.

John 17:20 In-Context

18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
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