Meaning of John 17:2

This verse, spoken by Jesus in his High Priestly Prayer, reveals a fundamental aspect of God's redemptive plan: the delegation of authority from the Father to the Son for the specific purpose of bestowing eternal life. The "him" clearly refers to Jesus Christ, and the "you" refers to God the Father. This authority is not arbitrary but divinely ordained, encompassing "all people." The ultimate goal of this granted authority is not dominion for its own sake, but the salvific work of granting eternal life. This implies that the Father has a chosen people, referred to as "those you have given him," who are the recipients of this life-giving authority. The verse underscores the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son in the work of salvation and highlights Jesus' role as the mediator through whom eternal life is accessed.

Context and Background

John 17 is known as Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, a pivotal moment where Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all future believers. This prayer occurs immediately before his arrest and crucifixion, marking it as a sacred and solemn discourse. The specific context of John 17:2 is Jesus' prayer for his own glorification and his subsequent intercession for his followers. He is preparing to return to the Father, and he is entrusting his mission and the salvation of humanity to the Father's established plan, which involves his divinely appointed authority.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Authority of Christ: The verse explicitly states that the Father granted authority to Jesus over "all people." This highlights Jesus' divine commission and his supreme authority, not merely as a human leader, but as the Son of God.
• Purpose of Authority: The primary purpose of this authority is not coercive control, but the gracious act of giving "eternal life." This emphasizes Jesus' salvific mission and his role as the source of life.
• Election and Predestination: The phrase "all those you have given him" points to the concept of God's foreknowledge and selection of individuals who will receive salvation through Christ. This is often understood in theological terms as election or predestination, where the Father entrusts certain individuals to the Son for salvation.
• Mediatorial Role of Christ: Jesus acts as the mediator between God and humanity. The authority he possesses is exercised on behalf of the Father to bring people into relationship with God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse offers profound assurance and a deep understanding of God's plan. It signifies that Jesus' authority is the bedrock of our salvation. Eternal life is not an accident but a deliberate gift bestowed through the Son, based on the Father's will. This should inspire gratitude, faith, and a reliance on Christ's power. It also calls for a recognition of the divine origin of faith and the importance of the Church as the community through which this life is experienced and shared.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

John 17:2 is deeply embedded within the overarching biblical narrative of redemption. From the promise of a seed of the woman crushing the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15) to the prophecies of a coming Messiah who would bring life and salvation, this verse fulfills those ancient promises. It aligns with the New Testament emphasis on Jesus as the unique Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the one through whom humanity can have eternal life (e.g., John 3:16, Acts 4:12). It also resonates with the concept of the Father's love for humanity and his desire for all to be saved.

Analogies

• A King Granting Authority to a General: Imagine a king who gives his most trusted general supreme command over his armies. The general's authority is derived from the king and is exercised to achieve the king's objectives, such as defending the realm and securing victory. In this analogy, the Father is the King, Jesus is the General, and the objective is the salvation of those entrusted to him.
• A Gardener Entrusting Seeds to a Planter: A gardener might entrust a specific collection of precious seeds to a skilled planter, with the understanding that the planter will ensure these seeds grow into thriving plants. The gardener has the ultimate ownership and purpose for the seeds, but the planter has the direct responsibility and the means to bring them to fruition. Here, the Father entrusts individuals (seeds) to Jesus (planter) to bring them to eternal life.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This verse complements John 17:2 by highlighting the Father's love as the motivation and Jesus as the means of eternal life.
• John 10:28-29: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand." This passage reiterates Jesus' power to give eternal life and the Father's role in entrusting believers to him, providing a strong parallel to John 17:2.
• Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is not another name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This verse emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ's authority in salvation, aligning with the idea that the authority granted to Jesus is specifically for bestowing eternal life.
• Philippians 2:9-11: "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage speaks to the exaltation and authority given to Jesus by the Father, which is the foundation for his work of salvation.