I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them that you have given me; for they are yours.
All Commentaries on John 17:9 Go To John 17
John Chrysostom
AD 407
As the disciples were still sad in spite of all our Lord’s consolations, henceforth Headdresses Himself to the Father to show the love which He had for them; I pray for them; Henot only gives them what He has of His own, but entreats another for them, as a still further proof of His love.
He often repeats, you have given Me, to impress on them that it was all according to the Father’s will, and that He did not come to rob another, but to take unto Him His own. Then to show them that this power had not been lately received from the Father, He adds, And all Yours, and Yours are Mine: as if to say, Let no one, hearing Me say, Them which You have given Me, suppose that they are separated from the Father; for Mine are His: nor because I said, They are Yours, suppose that they are separate from Me: for whatever is His is Mine.
Then He gives proof of this, I am glorified in them. If they glorify Me, believing in Me and You, it is certain that I have power over them: for no one is glorified by those amongst whom he has no power.
And now I am no more in the world: i.e. though I no longer appear in the flesh, I am glorified by those who die for Me, as for the Father, and preach Me as the Father.
Again He speaks as man: While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name; i.e.by your help. He speaks in condescension to the minds of His disciples, who thought they were more safe in His presence.
He was the only one indeed who perished then, but there were many after. None of them is lost, i.e. as far as Iam concerned; as He says above more clearly; I will in no wise cast out. But when they cast themselves out, I will not draw them to Myself by dint of compulsion. It follows: And now Icome to you. But some one might ask, Can you not keep them? I can. Then why say you this? That they may have my joy fulfilled in them, i.e. that they may not be alarmed in their as yet imperfect state.
