John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 27
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὦσιν
they may be
G5600
ὦσιν
they may be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
9 of 27
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
τετελειωμένοι
made perfect
G5048
τετελειωμένοι
made perfect
Strong's:
G5048
Word #:
10 of 27
to complete, i.e., (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
11 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γινώσκῃ
may know
G1097
γινώσκῃ
may know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
15 of 27
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος
the world
G2889
κόσμος
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
17 of 27
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπέστειλας
hast sent
G649
ἀπέστειλας
hast sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
21 of 27
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 17:21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.John 13:35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.Colossians 3:14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.1 John 1:3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.John 17:24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.John 17:26And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Historical Context
The early church's unity attracted converts: 'Behold, how they love one another!' (Tertullian reports). When Christians transcended ethnic, social, and economic divisions (Galatians 3:28), it demonstrated supernatural transformation. Modern church divisions—denominational, racial, class-based—hinder evangelistic impact by contradicting Jesus's prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christian unity (or disunity) serve as evidence for or against the gospel's truth claims?
- What does it mean that God loves believers 'as' He loves Christ—how should this transform our self-understanding?
- How can local churches pursue the unity Jesus prayed for while avoiding compromise of biblical truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one (ἐγὼ ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ σὺ ἐν ἐμοί, ἵνα ὦσιν τετελειωμένοι εἰς ἕν, egō en autois kai sy en emoi, hina ōsin teteleiōmenoi eis hen)—The chain of union: Father in Son, Son in believers, creating perfect unity. τετελειωμένοι (teteleiōmenoi, 'perfected, made complete') indicates process toward completeness εἰς ἕν (eis hen, 'into one'). And that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (καὶ ἵνα γινώσκῃ ὁ κόσμος ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας καὶ ἠγάπησας αὐτοὺς καθὼς ἐμὲ ἠγάπησας, kai hina ginōskē ho kosmos hoti sy me apesteilas kai ēgapēsas autous kathōs eme ēgapēsas)—Christian unity authenticates Jesus's mission and reveals God's love to the world.
This staggering claim: the world recognizes Christ's divine mission through believers' supernatural unity. When the church displays loving unity amidst diversity, it witnesses to the reality of Jesus's incarnation and the Father's love. Conversely, church divisions undermine evangelistic credibility. The Father loves believers as He loves the Son—adopting us into His family.