John 18:9
What does John 18:9 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:9 means
John interjects this verse to explain Jesus' command to let His disciples go. It explicitly states that Jesus' action fulfilled a prior word He spoke: \"Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.\" This refers to Jesus' prayer in chapter 17, demonstrating that even in the chaos of His arrest, God's prophetic word was being precisely accomplished through Jesus' choices. It emphasizes Jesus' unwavering loyalty to His Father's will and His care for His spiritual flock.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949(He said this so that his words might come true, I have kept safe all those whom you gave to me.)
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that the word might be fulfilled that he said--`Those whom Thou hast given to me, I did not lose of them even one.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, [As to] those whom thou hast given me, I have not lost one of them.
Context
This verse serves as a parenthetical explanation, connecting Jesus' protective command in verse 8 directly to a prophecy from His prayer in John 17. It clarifies the divine purpose behind Jesus' actions, showing His words and deeds are intertwined with God's sovereign plan. This theological explanation precedes the dramatic, impulsive action of Peter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 17:12
While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
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