King James Version

What Does John 17:24 Mean?

John 17:24 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from John chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

John 17:24 · KJV


Context

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am (Πάτερ, ὃ δέδωκάς μοι, θέλω ἵνα ὅπου εἰμὶ ἐγὼ κἀκεῖνοι ὦσιν μετ' ἐμοῦ, Pater, ho dedōkas moi, thelō hina hopou eimi egō kakeinoi ōsin met' emou)—Jesus uses θέλω (thelō, 'I will, desire') expressing authority as well as affection. He wills believers' eternal presence with Him. That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world (ἵνα θεωρῶσιν τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἐμὴν ἣν δέδωκάς μοι, ὅτι ἠγάπησάς με πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, hina theōrōsin tēn doxan tēn emēn hēn dedōkas moi, hoti ēgapēsas me pro katabolēs kosmou)—Heaven's essence is beholding (θεωρῶσιν, theōrōsin, 'behold, gaze upon') Christ's glory (δόξαν, doxan) which He possessed πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου (pro katabolēs kosmou, 'before the foundation of the world')—His pre-incarnate, eternal glory.

This defines eternal life: not merely duration but quality—experiencing the love between Father and Son that existed before creation. The beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is seeing Christ as He truly is, sharing in the glory He had with the Father eternally. This surpasses all earthly joys.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer anticipates Christ's ascension and believers' future glorification. Paul echoes this: 'that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection' (Philippians 3:10); 'we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is' (1 John 3:2). Heaven is Christocentric—the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does defining heaven as 'beholding Christ's glory' differ from popular notions of heaven as eternal pleasure park?
  2. What does it mean that Christ possessed glory 'before the foundation of the world'—how does this affirm His deity?
  3. How should the hope of eternally beholding Christ's glory shape present priorities and values?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Πάτερ1 of 28

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἣν2 of 28

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔδωκάς3 of 28

thou hast given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μοι4 of 28

me

G3427

to me

θέλω5 of 28

I will

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ἵνα6 of 28

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ὅπου7 of 28

where

G3699

what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot

εἰμὶ8 of 28

am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἐγὼ9 of 28

I

G1473

i, me

κἀκεῖνοι10 of 28

they also

G2548

likewise that (or those)

ὦσιν11 of 28

be

G5600

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

μετ'12 of 28

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἐμοῦ13 of 28

me

G1700

of me

ἵνα14 of 28

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

θεωρῶσιν15 of 28

they may behold

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

τὴν16 of 28
G3588

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

δόξαν17 of 28

glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τὴν18 of 28
G3588

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

ἐμὴν19 of 28

my

G1699

my

ἣν20 of 28

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔδωκάς21 of 28

thou hast given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μοι22 of 28

me

G3427

to me

ὅτι23 of 28

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἠγάπησάς24 of 28

thou lovedst

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

με25 of 28

me

G3165

me

πρὸ26 of 28

before

G4253

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

καταβολῆς27 of 28

the foundation

G2602

a deposition, i.e., founding; figuratively, conception

κόσμου28 of 28

of the world

G2889

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


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 17:24 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 17:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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