John 17:11
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐκ
G3756
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμῳ
the world
G2889
κόσμῳ
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
7 of 34
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὗτοι
these
G3778
οὗτοι
these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 34
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμῳ
the world
G2889
κόσμῳ
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
12 of 34
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
16 of 34
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἔρχομαι
come
G2064
ἔρχομαι
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
18 of 34
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
19 of 34
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἅγιε
Holy
G40
ἅγιε
Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
20 of 34
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
τήρησον
keep
G5083
τήρησον
keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
21 of 34
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
αὐτοὺς
those
G846
αὐτοὺς
those
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματί
name
G3686
ὀνόματί
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
25 of 34
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
οὕς
whom
G3739
οὕς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
27 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
δέδωκάς
thou hast given
G1325
δέδωκάς
thou hast given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
28 of 34
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.Hebrews 9:24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:Ephesians 4:4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;Philippians 2:9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.John 17:25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Historical Context
This prayer (John 17) occurred in the upper room or en route to Gethsemane on Thursday evening, Nisan 14, AD 30. Jesus prayed audibly so disciples would remember His intercession after His departure. The petition for unity anticipates the church's birth at Pentecost (Acts 2) and addresses divisions already emerging in apostolic circles (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). First-century believers faced expulsion from synagogues (John 16:2) and needed assurance of divine preservation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's prayer 'Holy Father, keep through thine own name' assure you of security when facing hostile spiritual opposition?
- What does unity 'as we are' (Trinitarian oneness) look like practically in your church, and how does it differ from mere organizational conformity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world—Jesus marks the temporal transition at His crucifixion's threshold. The Greek ouketi (οὐκέτι, 'no longer') emphasizes finality: His earthly ministry concludes in hours. Yet His disciples remain en tō kosmō (ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, 'in the world'), exposed to the hostile system He conquered but they must navigate.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name (Πάτερ ἅγιε τήρησον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου)—The only place Jesus addresses God as 'Holy Father' in Scripture. Tēreō (τηρέω) means 'guard, protect, preserve'—the same word used for keeping commandments. Jesus petitions divine custody in the name, meaning by the Father's revealed character and authority. That they may be one, as we are (ἵνα ὦσιν ἓν καθὼς ἡμεῖς)—Unity modeled on Trinitarian union, not organizational merger but relational harmony rooted in shared divine life. This is covenant security: believers kept by God's name, not their performance.