What Does John 17:8 Mean?

(8) **For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me.**—Our Lord explains in this verse how the disciples attained to the knowledge He had spoken of in John 17:7, and lays stress in the first place on His own work in teaching them, “I, on My part, have given unto them,” and on the matter taught as that which the Father had committed unto Him (John 12:49). **And they have received them.**—Not less emphatic is the work of the disciples themselves. “They on their part received them.” Others had been taught, and did not receive. The teaching was the same; the varying effect was in the heart of the hearer. (Comp. John 1:12; John 1:18.) He has spoken of the teaching and the reception. He proceeds to the two-fold result. **And have known **(better, *and knew*) **surely that I came out from thee.**—Comp. Notes on John 3:2; John 16:30. **And they have believed **(better, *and they believed*) **that thou didst send me.**—The addition of this clause is in part to be explained as the Hebrew fulness of expression, and in part as an advance on the truth, “I came out from Thee.” That He came from God they knew by the harmony of His doctrine with the voice of God, which was already speaking in their consciences. But more than this, they believed Him to be the sent One, the Messiah, whom they expected (John 17:3).