John 17:8
For 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.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥήματα
the words
G4487
ῥήματα
the words
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
3 of 24
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
ἃ
which
G3739
ἃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
δέδωκα
I have given
G1325
δέδωκα
I have given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
5 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
δέδωκα
I have given
G1325
δέδωκα
I have given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
7 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοὶ
unto them
G846
αὐτοὶ
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 24
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 #:
9 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
unto them
G846
αὐτοὶ
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 24
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
ἔλαβον
they have received
G2983
ἔλαβον
they have received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
11 of 24
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔγνωσαν
have known
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
have known
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
13 of 24
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
παρὰ
from
G3844
παρὰ
from
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπίστευσαν
they have believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσαν
they have believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
20 of 24
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
Cross References
John 17:14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.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 16:30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.1 John 4:14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.John 8:42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.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.Proverbs 1:3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;John 12:49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Historical Context
This verse comes from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (John 17), spoken between the Upper Room Discourse and His arrest in Gethsemane. The disciples had spent three years receiving Jesus' teaching, but only post-resurrection would they fully comprehend (John 2:22, 12:16). Jesus prays this on the eve of His crucifixion, interceding for those who will soon deny and abandon Him—yet He affirms their genuine faith and reception of divine truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the chain of revelation (Father → Son → Apostles → Scripture) shape your view of the Bible's authority and reliability?
- What is the difference between merely hearing God's words and truly "receiving" them as the disciples did, and how does reception lead to assurance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me (τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἔδωκάς μοι δέδωκα αὐτοῖς)—Jesus' ministry centers on transmitting the Father's revelatory rhēmata (spoken words), not independent teaching. The perfect tense "gavest" (ἔδωκάς) emphasizes the Father's completed revelation to the Son; the aorist "have given" (δέδωκα) stresses Christ's faithful delivery to the disciples. This chain of divine revelation—Father to Son to apostles—undergirds apostolic authority and Scripture's inspiration (cf. 2 Peter 1:21).
They have received them (ἔλαβον)—not mere intellectual assent but personal appropriation. The disciples moved from confusion to conviction through receiving God's words. Known surely (ἔγνωσαν ἀληθῶς) indicates settled, experiential knowledge that Jesus came forth from the Father—His divine origin confirmed by His divine words. Believed that thou didst send me—faith (pisteuo) completes knowledge; they now trust not just what Jesus said but who He is: the Father's apostle (one sent with authority).