John 17:25
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
Original Language Analysis
πάτερ
Father
G3962
πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
1 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
δίκαιε
O righteous
G1342
δίκαιε
O righteous
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
2 of 19
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος
the world
G2889
κόσμος
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
5 of 19
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ἔγνωσαν
hath
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
hath
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
8 of 19
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ἔγνωσαν
hath
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
hath
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
12 of 19
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 19
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 #:
14 of 19
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἔγνωσαν
hath
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
hath
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
15 of 19
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
Cross References
John 17:11And 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.John 15:21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.John 7:29But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.Hebrews 8:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.John 8:55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.John 10:15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Luke 10:22All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Historical Context
This prayer concluded Jesus's public ministry. The contrast between 'the world' that rejects and 'these' who believe would intensify—the world would crucify Jesus, but believers would form the church. Paul later described the gospel as revealing what was hidden from the world (Colossians 1:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the world's refusal to 'know' God differ from intellectual ignorance—what makes it culpable?
- What does it mean to 'know' God through Christ—how is this knowledge different from knowing facts about God?
- How should believers live as those who 'know' in a world that refuses knowledge of God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me (Πάτερ δίκαιε, καὶ ὁ κόσμος σε οὐκ ἔγνω, ἐγὼ δέ σε ἔγνων, καὶ οὗτοι ἔγνωσαν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας, Pater dikaie, kai ho kosmos se ouk egnō, egō de se egnōn, kai houtoi egnōsan hoti sy me aposteilas)—Jesus addresses the Father as righteous (δίκαιε, dikaie, 'just, righteous'), acknowledging divine justice. The world hath not known thee (ὁ κόσμος σε οὐκ ἔγνω, ho kosmos se ouk egnō)—willful ignorance, not mere lack of information. Yet Jesus knows the Father perfectly (ἐγὼ δέ σε ἔγνων, egō de se egnōn), and believers have come to know (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan) that Jesus was sent by the Father—recognizing His divine mission.
This creates three categories: the world (willfully ignorant of God), Jesus (who knows the Father perfectly), and believers (who know Jesus was sent by the Father). Salvation is knowledge—not mere information but covenant relationship. The world's refusal to know God is culpable ignorance (Romans 1:20-21), making judgment righteous.