Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word;
All Commentaries on John 17:20 Go To John 17
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Another ground of consolation to them, that they were to be the cause of the salvation of others.
And with this prayer for unanimity, He concludes His prayer; and then begins adiscourse on the same subject: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.
This as again does not express perfect likeness, but only likeness as far as it was possible in men; as when He says, Be you merciful, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is merciful.
For there is no scandal so great as division, whereas unity amongst believers is a great argument for believing; as He said at the beginning of His discourse, By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another. For if they quarrel, they will not be looked on as the disciples of a peacemaking Master. And I, He says, not being a peacemaker, they will not acknowledge Me as sent from God.
By glory, He means miracles, and doctrines and unity; which latter is the greater glory. For all who believed through the Apostles see one. If any separated, it was owing to men’s own carelessness; not but that our Lord anticipates this happening.
Elsewhere He says of Himself and the Father, We will come and make Our abode with Him; by the mention of two persons, stopping the mouths of the Sabellians. Here by saying that the Father comes to the disciples through Him, He refutes the notion of theArians.
