John 17:24
Father, 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.
Original Language Analysis
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
1 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔδωκάς
thou hast given
G1325
ἔδωκάς
thou hast given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
3 of 28
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
θέλω
I will
G2309
θέλω
I will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
5 of 28
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ὦσιν
be
G5600
ὦσιν
be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
11 of 28
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
12 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
θεωρῶσιν
they may behold
G2334
θεωρῶσιν
they may behold
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
15 of 28
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξαν
glory
G1391
δόξαν
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
17 of 28
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔδωκάς
thou hast given
G1325
ἔδωκάς
thou hast given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
21 of 28
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
23 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
26 of 28
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Cross References
John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.Genesis 45:13And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.Matthew 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.1 Thessalonians 4:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Luke 12:37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Historical Context
This prayer anticipates Christ's ascension and believers' future glorification. Paul echoes this: 'that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection' (Philippians 3:10); 'we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is' (1 John 3:2). Heaven is Christocentric—the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does defining heaven as 'beholding Christ's glory' differ from popular notions of heaven as eternal pleasure park?
- What does it mean that Christ possessed glory 'before the foundation of the world'—how does this affirm His deity?
- How should the hope of eternally beholding Christ's glory shape present priorities and values?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am (Πάτερ, ὃ δέδωκάς μοι, θέλω ἵνα ὅπου εἰμὶ ἐγὼ κἀκεῖνοι ὦσιν μετ' ἐμοῦ, Pater, ho dedōkas moi, thelō hina hopou eimi egō kakeinoi ōsin met' emou)—Jesus uses θέλω (thelō, 'I will, desire') expressing authority as well as affection. He wills believers' eternal presence with Him. That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world (ἵνα θεωρῶσιν τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἐμὴν ἣν δέδωκάς μοι, ὅτι ἠγάπησάς με πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, hina theōrōsin tēn doxan tēn emēn hēn dedōkas moi, hoti ēgapēsas me pro katabolēs kosmou)—Heaven's essence is beholding (θεωρῶσιν, theōrōsin, 'behold, gaze upon') Christ's glory (δόξαν, doxan) which He possessed πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου (pro katabolēs kosmou, 'before the foundation of the world')—His pre-incarnate, eternal glory.
This defines eternal life: not merely duration but quality—experiencing the love between Father and Son that existed before creation. The beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is seeing Christ as He truly is, sharing in the glory He had with the Father eternally. This surpasses all earthly joys.