John 17:14
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
John 17:14
14 I 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.
Chapter Context
John 17 is a theological gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, sacrifice, love. Written during the late first century CE (c. 90-95 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed late first-century challenges from both Judaism and emerging Gnostic thought.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-26: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within John and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
John 17:14
14 I 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.
Analysis
I have given them thy word (τὸν λόγον σου, ton logon sou)—Jesus has entrusted the disciples with divine revelation, the logos that was with God from the beginning (John 1:1). This 'word' encompasses both Jesus's teachings and His very person as the incarnate Word.
The world hath hated them (ὁ κόσμος ἐμίσησεν αὐτούς, ho kosmos emisēsen autous)—The kosmos (world-system opposed to God) inevitably hates those who bear God's word. This hatred is not random hostility but a spiritual reaction: light exposes darkness (John 3:19-20). Jesus's because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world parallels the disciples' status with His own—sanctified separation, not geographical isolation. The double negation (ouk eisi ek tou kosmou) emphasizes complete ontological difference: believers are aliens in a hostile territory, their citizenship elsewhere (Philippians 3:20).
Historical Context
This comes from Jesus's High Priestly Prayer (John 17), offered on the night before His crucifixion. Spoken in the upper room or en route to Gethsemane, this prayer addresses the Father concerning the disciples' future mission after His departure. The immediate context is the coming persecution they will face from both Jewish religious authorities and the Roman world.
Reflection
- How does receiving God's word necessarily place you at odds with the world's values and systems?
- In what ways do you experience the world's hatred for following Christ, and how should this affect your expectations as a disciple?
Word Studies
- Word: λόγος (Logos) G3056 - Word, reason, message
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: John 7:7, 8:23, 17:16, Proverbs 29:27