King James Version

What Does John 17:23 Mean?

John 17:23 in the King James Version says “I 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... — study this verse from John chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

I 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 17:23 · KJV


Context

21

That 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.

22

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23

I 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.

24

Father, 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.

25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one (ἐγὼ ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ σὺ ἐν ἐμοί, ἵνα ὦσιν τετελειωμένοι εἰς ἕν, egō en autois kai sy en emoi, hina ōsin teteleiōmenoi eis hen)—The chain of union: Father in Son, Son in believers, creating perfect unity. τετελειωμένοι (teteleiōmenoi, 'perfected, made complete') indicates process toward completeness εἰς ἕν (eis hen, 'into one'). And that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (καὶ ἵνα γινώσκῃ ὁ κόσμος ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας καὶ ἠγάπησας αὐτοὺς καθὼς ἐμὲ ἠγάπησας, kai hina ginōskē ho kosmos hoti sy me apesteilas kai ēgapēsas autous kathōs eme ēgapēsas)—Christian unity authenticates Jesus's mission and reveals God's love to the world.

This staggering claim: the world recognizes Christ's divine mission through believers' supernatural unity. When the church displays loving unity amidst diversity, it witnesses to the reality of Jesus's incarnation and the Father's love. Conversely, church divisions undermine evangelistic credibility. The Father loves believers as He loves the Son—adopting us into His family.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The early church's unity attracted converts: 'Behold, how they love one another!' (Tertullian reports). When Christians transcended ethnic, social, and economic divisions (Galatians 3:28), it demonstrated supernatural transformation. Modern church divisions—denominational, racial, class-based—hinder evangelistic impact by contradicting Jesus's prayer.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christian unity (or disunity) serve as evidence for or against the gospel's truth claims?
  2. What does it mean that God loves believers 'as' He loves Christ—how should this transform our self-understanding?
  3. How can local churches pursue the unity Jesus prayed for while avoiding compromise of biblical truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ἐγὼ1 of 27

I

G1473

i, me

ἐν2 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοὺς3 of 27

them

G846

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

καὶ4 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σύ5 of 27

thou

G4771

thou

ἐν6 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐμοί7 of 27

me

G1698

to me

ἵνα8 of 27

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ὦσιν9 of 27

they may be

G5600

(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be

τετελειωμένοι10 of 27

made perfect

G5048

to complete, i.e., (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character)

εἰς11 of 27

in

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἕν12 of 27

one

G1520

one

καὶ13 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἵνα14 of 27

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γινώσκῃ15 of 27

may know

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

16 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμος17 of 27

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ὅτι18 of 27

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

σύ19 of 27

thou

G4771

thou

με20 of 27

me

G3165

me

ἀπέστειλας21 of 27

hast sent

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

καὶ22 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἠγάπησας23 of 27

hast loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

αὐτοὺς24 of 27

them

G846

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

καθὼς25 of 27

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἐμὲ26 of 27

me

G1691

me

ἠγάπησας27 of 27

hast loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 17:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 17:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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