John 17:6
I 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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐφανέρωσά
I have manifested
G5319
Ἐφανέρωσά
I have manifested
Strong's:
G5319
Word #:
1 of 23
to render apparent (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
name
G3686
ὄνομα
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
4 of 23
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὓς
which
G3739
οὓς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
δέδωκας·
thou gavest
G1325
δέδωκας·
thou gavest
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
8 of 23
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
the world
G2889
κόσμου
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
12 of 23
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 #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 23
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
δέδωκας·
thou gavest
G1325
δέδωκας·
thou gavest
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 23
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
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 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.John 6:37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.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 17:2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.John 15:19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.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.Revelation 3:8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.Hebrews 3:6But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.Psalms 22:22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Historical Context
This is the opening of Jesus's High Priestly Prayer (John 17), offered in the Upper Room or en route to Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal (AD 30). Jesus prays for His disciples before His arrest, revealing the Father's electing love and the disciples' mission. The prayer reflects Jewish priestly intercession patterns, particularly the high priest entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's statement 'thine they were, and thou gavest them me' shape your understanding of salvation as the Father's gift and the Son's stewardship?
- What does it mean that Jesus 'manifested' God's name—not just revealed information, but made the Father's character visible through incarnation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I have manifested thy name (ἐφανέρωσά σου τὸ ὄνομα)—Jesus revealed not merely God's title but His character, nature, and covenant identity. In Hebrew thought, 'name' (shem) encompasses the entire person; Jesus made the Father's heart known through His words, works, and person (John 1:18, 14:9).
The men which thou gavest me out of the world—the disciples are gift-objects of divine election, chosen from (ἐκ) the cosmos but not of it. Thine they were affirms their prior ownership by the Father before being entrusted to the Son—a Trinitarian economy of salvation. They have kept thy word (τὸν λόγον σου τετήρηκαν)—the perfect tense indicates ongoing faithfulness. Despite their failures, Jesus credits them with persevering obedience, interceding as their great High Priest.