John 17:21
What does John 17:21 mean?
A plain-English look at John 17:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 17:21 means
The ultimate desire of Jesus for all believers is profound unity. He prays that they may all be one, patterned after the perfect, intimate unity between the Father and the Son, a union of mind, will, and purpose. The crucial purpose of this visible unity is evangelistic: that the world may observe their oneness and, through it, believe that the Father sent Jesus. This demonstrates that Christian unity is not merely internal but a powerful testimony to unbelievers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949May they all be one! Even as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so let them be in us, so that all men may come to have faith that you sent me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that they all may be one, as Thou Father <FI>art<Fi> in me, and I in Thee; that they also in us may be one, that the world may believe that Thou didst send me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that they may be all one, as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Context
This verse immediately states the primary purpose of Jesus' prayer for all future believers: unity. It directly follows the broadened scope of the prayer in verse 20, providing the central goal for the entire body of Christ. This intense focus on unity sets the stage for further elaboration on its nature and purpose in the subsequent verses, highlighting its evangelistic implications.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:
- Acts 2:46
And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
- John 17:22
And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
- Ezekiel 37:22
and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all;
- 1 Corinthians 12:25
that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
- Ephesians 4:3
giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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