King James Version

What Does John 17:25 Mean?

John 17:25 in the King James Version says “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” — study this verse from John chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

John 17:25 · KJV

Context

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.

Read John 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me (Πάτερ δίκαιε, καὶ ὁ κόσμος σε οὐκ ἔγνω, ἐγὼ δέ σε ἔγνων, καὶ οὗτοι ἔγνωσαν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας, Pater dikaie, kai ho kosmos se ouk egnō, egō de se egnōn, kai houtoi egnōsan hoti sy me aposteilas)—Jesus addresses the Father as righteous (δίκαιε, dikaie, 'just, righteous'), acknowledging divine justice. The world hath not known thee (ὁ κόσμος σε οὐκ ἔγνω, ho kosmos se ouk egnō)—willful ignorance, not mere lack of information. Yet Jesus knows the Father perfectly (ἐγὼ δέ σε ἔγνων, egō de se egnōn), and believers have come to know (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan) that Jesus was sent by the Father—recognizing His divine mission.

This creates three categories: the world (willfully ignorant of God), Jesus (who knows the Father perfectly), and believers (who know Jesus was sent by the Father). Salvation is knowledge—not mere information but covenant relationship. The world's refusal to know God is culpable ignorance (Romans 1:20-21), making judgment righteous.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer concluded Jesus's public ministry. The contrast between 'the world' that rejects and 'these' who believe would intensify—the world would crucify Jesus, but believers would form the church. Paul later described the gospel as revealing what was hidden from the world (Colossians 1:26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the world's refusal to 'know' God differ from intellectual ignorance—what makes it culpable?
  2. What does it mean to 'know' God through Christ—how is this knowledge different from knowing facts about God?
  3. How should believers live as those who 'know' in a world that refuses knowledge of God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
πάτερ1 of 19

“Father”

G3962

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

δίκαιε2 of 19

“O righteous”

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

καὶ3 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

ὁ4 of 19
G3588

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

κόσμος5 of 19

“the world”

G2889

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

σε6 of 19

“thee”

G4571

thee

οὐκ7 of 19

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔγνωσαν8 of 19

“hath”

G1097

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

ἐγὼ9 of 19

“I”

G1473

i, me

δέ10 of 19

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

σε11 of 19

“thee”

G4571

thee

ἔγνωσαν12 of 19

“hath”

G1097

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

καὶ13 of 19

“and”

G2532

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

οὗτοι14 of 19

“these”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἔγνωσαν15 of 19

“hath”

G1097

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

ὅτι16 of 19

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

σύ17 of 19

“thou”

G4771

thou

με18 of 19

“me”

G3165

me

ἀπέστειλας·19 of 19

“hast sent”

G649

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

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 17:25 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 17:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 17:11John 17:8John 15:21John 16:27John 7:29John 5:19-20

Test Your Knowledge

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