John 17:26
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομά
name
G3686
ὄνομά
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
5 of 20
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη
the love
G26
ἀγάπη
the love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
11 of 20
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ἣν
wherewith
G3739
ἣν
wherewith
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 20
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
ᾖ
may be
G5600
ᾖ
may be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
17 of 20
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
Cross References
John 17:23I 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.John 17:6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.John 15:9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.Hebrews 2:12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.Psalms 22:22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 15:15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.John 15:4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.John 8:50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
Historical Context
After this prayer, Jesus went to Gethsemane (John 18:1). His final words before arrest concerned believers' participation in divine love—demonstrating that His mission's goal was not merely legal justification but relational transformation. The Spirit would continue Christ's revelatory work (John 14:26; 16:13).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's ongoing revelation of the Father's name through the Spirit shape Christian discipleship and growth?
- What does it mean that believers experience the same love the Father has for the Son—how should this transform our identity?
- How is Christ 'in' believers practically—what does His indwelling presence mean for daily life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it (καὶ ἐγνώρισα αὐτοῖς τὸ ὄνομά σου καὶ γνωρίσω, kai egnōrisa autois to onoma sou kai gnōrisō)—Jesus revealed God's character (ὄνομα, onoma, 'name' meaning nature, character, reputation) during His earthly ministry and will continue through the Spirit (John 16:13-15). γνωρίσω (gnōrisō, 'I will make known') is future tense—ongoing revelation. That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them (ἵνα ἡ ἀγάπη ἣν ἠγάπησάς με ἐν αὐτοῖς ᾖ κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτοῖς, hina hē agapē hēn ēgapēsas me en autois ē kagō en autois)—The goal: believers experience the same love (ἡ ἀγάπη, hē agapē) the Father has for the Son, with Christ dwelling in them (κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτοῖς, kagō en autois).
This concludes the High Priestly Prayer with stunning revelation: God's love for believers equals His love for Christ; Christ dwells in believers. This is mystical union—not absorption into deity but intimate communion. Christianity isn't merely forgiveness of sins but adoption into Trinitarian love. Knowing God's name means experiencing His love.