John 17:20 · Bible study
John 17:20 Commentary: Christ Prays for All Who Believe Through Apostolic Word
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Jesus' prayer for future believers in John 17:20, the role of apostolic teaching, and the assurance of being included in Christ's intercession.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus prays for all future believers who come to faith through the apostolic message.
- Key words: pisteuontōn (present participle of 'believe', viewing future believers as already present), logos ('word', the apostolic proclamation).
- Main debate: Textual variant between future and present participles; no substantive interpretive difference.
- Theological theme: Christ's high priestly intercession covers the entire church across all ages.
- Best use: Assurance of salvation and confidence in preaching the gospel as the means of faith.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
WEB World English Bible 2000
“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,
KJV King James Version 1769
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`And not in regard to these alone do I ask, but also in regard to those who shall be believing, through their word, in me;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe on me through their word;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Mas no ruego solamente por éstos, sino también por los que han de creer en mí por la palabra de ellos.
E não suplico somente por estes, mas também por aqueles que crerão em mim, por sua palavra.
Ce n’ est pas pour eux seulement que je prie, mais encore pour ceux qui croiront en moi par leur parole,
Ich bitte aber nicht allein für sie, sondern auch für die, so durch ihr Wort an mich glauben werden,
En Ik bid niet alleen voor dezen, maar ook voor degenen, die door hun woord in Mij geloven zullen.
Io non prego soltanto per questi, ma anche per quelli che credono in me per mezzo della loro parola:
Nie tylko za tymi proszę, lecz i za onymi, którzy przez słowo ich uwierzą w mię;
Не о них же только молю, но и о верующих в Меня по слову их,
「我不但 為 這些 人祈求， 也 為 那些因 他們 的話 信 我的人祈求，
My prayer is not for them only, but for all who will have faith in me through their word;
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 17:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Jesus here expands His prayer far beyond the apostles standing with Him. Adam Clarke says 'this prayer extends itself through all ages, and takes in every soul that believes in the Lord Jesus.' Calvin calls it a 'remarkable ground of confidence' and a safe harbor for all who flee to Christ. Barnes highlights the 'unspeakable joy' that every Christian, however humble or unknown, was remembered in prayer by the Son of God. The most reliable Greek manuscripts read the present participle pisteuontōn ('are believing'), viewing the entire future body of believers as already present to God's sight. The means of faith is 'through their word' (διὰ τοῦ λόγου αὐτῶν), the apostolic preaching and the Scripture it produced. Matthew Henry links this directly to Christ's institution of the written Word and a standing ministry. There is no dispute: Jesus prays for all who will come to faith through the apostolic message, and this prayer secures their salvation. That truth offers profound comfort to every believer, knowing the Son of God interceded for you before you were born.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus prays for all who will come to faith through the apostolic message, and this prayer guarantees their place in the family of God.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Christ's prayer | All traditions agree Jesus prays not only for the apostles but for all future believers who come to faith. | No significant debate among the supplied commentators; the universal scope is affirmed by all. |
| Role of apostolic teaching in faith | All agree that believing 'through their word' means faith comes through the preaching and written message of the apostles. | Some emphasize the oral transmission; others focus on written Scripture, but all affirm the apostolic word as the instrument. |
| Textual reading of the participle | Both 'shall believe' (future) and 'believe' (present) point to the same reality: Christ prays for all who come to faith. | Modern critical texts prefer the present participle (πιστευόντων), viewing the future body as already real to God. The variant does not change the meaning. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jesus speaks these words in the upper room on the night of His betrayal, after the Last Supper. This entire chapter is His high priestly prayer, a unique window into the Son's intercessory work. He has prayed for His immediate disciples (John 17:6, 19) and now widens the scope to include all who will believe through their message. In Jewish tradition, prayers for future generations were not unknown, Moses interceded for the people, but Jesus' prayer is unprecedented in its universal reach. The 'word' (λόγος, logos) here is the apostolic proclamation of the gospel: the message of Christ crucified and risen, both spoken and later written. This prayer reveals Jesus' divine authority and foreknowledge of the church that would be built on the apostles' teaching. The cultural setting underscores that the church does not depend on human eloquence or numbers but on Christ's own intercession. For a first-century hearer, the idea that a dying teacher would pray for people he had never met was astonishing. This verse therefore reassures every generation that they are not an afterthought in God's plan; they were deliberately included in Christ's prayer from the beginning. It ties the spread of the gospel directly to the apostles' witness and to the ongoing proclamation of that same word today.
Textual Notes
The most significant textual variant is between the future participle πιστευσόντων (pisteusontōn, 'will believe') and the present participle πιστευόντων (pisteuontōn, 'are believing'). The present reading is found in early papyri (p66) and major uncials (א, B), and is adopted by modern critical editions. As the Cambridge Bible and Vincent note, the present participle views the entire future body of believers as already in existence. The variant does not alter the meaning materially; both readings affirm Christ's prayer for all who come to faith through apostolic witness. No other significant textual issues arise in this verse.
Reception History
Early church fathers cited this verse to demonstrate the unity of the church across time and the apostolic foundation of faith. Augustine used it to argue that the church is one body through all centuries, bound by the apostolic word. The medieval church saw it as a prayer for the whole Church militant and triumphant. During the Reformation, interpreters like Calvin and Luther emphasized that this verse assures believers of their inclusion in Christ's intercession apart from any human merit, grounding salvation solely in Christ's prayer and the preached word. Modern Catholic and Protestant exegetes agree on the central meaning: Jesus intercedes for all who believe through the apostolic proclamation. The verse is often read in services of ordination or missions, reminding the church that its message carries Christ's own authority and that every convert is a direct answer to this prayer.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The prayer expands. Jesus moves from the eleven apostles to include every future believer. No one who comes to faith through the gospel is overlooked.
- The means of faith. Belief comes 'through their word', the apostolic preaching and Scripture. This grounds the gospel in a trustworthy, God-given message.
- The assurance. Because Christ prayed this prayer and the Father always hears Him, the salvation of all who believe is certain. This gives unshakeable hope.
Five-point outline
- Scope: From the eleven to the entire future church, a worldwide family.
- Time: The present participle 'believe' (πιστευόντων) views all future believers as already present to God.
- Instrument: 'Through their word', the authoritative apostolic message, both oral and written.
- Certainty: Jesus prays for those who 'shall believe'; the prayer is guaranteed to be answered.
- Unity: The next verse (v. 21) links inclusion to the prayer for oneness, showing that our unity is rooted in Christ's intercession and the shared apostolic word.
Illustration hooks
- A church plant that sees slow growth: remind the congregation that Christ's prayer already covers those who will come in response to the Word being preached.
- A new believer wondering if they really belong: this verse assures them that Jesus prayed for them personally, years before they were born.
- A pastor discouraged by a small Sunday morning crowd: the apostolic word is the instrument, not our charisma or programs; Christ's intercession carries the weight.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does Jesus really pray for me personally, or just for the apostles?
- How does the 'apostolic word' apply to us today when we don't have the apostles with us?
- Does this mean everyone who hears the gospel will be saved automatically, or is there still a choice to believe?
Leading a Discussion
John 17:20 reveals that before you were born, Jesus prayed for you. That truth changes how we see our faith, our church, and the message we share. This passage also explains how people come to believe, through the apostolic word that has been passed down to us. As you discuss, notice the scope of Christ's prayer and the role He gives to the apostles' teaching.
Discussion questions
- Who are 'these' and who are 'those' in this verse? Why does Jesus make the distinction?
- What does 'believe on me' mean in the context of John's Gospel? How is it different from simply agreeing with facts about Jesus?
- The Greek present participle 'are believing' views future believers as already existing. How does this shape your understanding of God's foreknowledge and Christ's intercession?
- What is 'their word'? How does this connect to the apostles' role in the early church (see Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4)?
- Why is it significant that Jesus prays for those who believe 'through their word' rather than through visions or direct encounters? What does this say about the ongoing importance of Scripture and preaching?
- How does knowing that Jesus prayed for you personally affect the way you pray for others? Does it change how you share your faith?
- This verse is immediately followed by Jesus' prayer for unity (v. 21). How does being included in this prayer connect us to other Christians across time and around the world?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| John 17:6 | “I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. |
| John 17:11 | I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. |
| Acts 2:41 | Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. |
| Acts 4:4 | But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. |
| Romans 15:18 | For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, |
| Romans 15:19 | in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; |
| Ephesians 4:11 | He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; |
| II Timothy 1:2 | to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that Jesus prayed for every future believer, not just the apostles, so even the humblest Christian can know the Son of God personally interceded for them. He also highlights that the unity of all believers, founded on their shared union with the Father and Son, is meant to convince the world that the gospel is from heaven.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that Christ's prayer extends far beyond the apostles to every believer throughout history. This prayer is a secure harbor and a solemn pledge from Christ to guard every person who believes in him. Christ unites all believers with the apostles, binding their salvation together as one.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that Jesus' prayer shifts from the immediate disciples to all future believers, and the Greek text reads "who believe" in the present tense, treating the future church as already in existence. He also stresses that faith comes specifically through the Apostles' word, as the Greek word order emphasizes.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights the scope of Jesus's prayer: it reaches beyond the apostles to include every future believer who would come to faith through the apostles' preaching. This shows that Christ's intercession covers all who belong to him across all time.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that Christ's prayer extends beyond the twelve apostles to include every future believer who will come to faith through their word. True faith, he explains, is not mere assent but a spiritual laying hold of Christ, and it is secured by God's electing grace. Christ therefore intercedes for this entire company across all generations.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that Jesus' prayer is not limited to the disciples present but extends to all future believers. The textual variant "which believe" instead of "shall believe" is significant, as it presents all future faith as already present to Christ, deepening the scope of His intercession.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Christ's refusal to pray for the world is not a hard exclusion but a deliberate strategy of divine concentration. By focusing all intercessory power on His disciples, Christ establishes them as a concentrated force through which the world itself will eventually be transformed and overcome.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Christ's intercession extends far beyond the original disciples to every future believer who will come to faith through the apostles' spoken or written word. He stresses that Christ knows infallibly who will believe, and that Scripture and a standing ministry are the appointed means for raising up this spiritual seed across all generations.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights that the Greek text uses a present participle, "that believe," not a future tense, so future believers are pictured as already real. He also notes the word order: "believe through their word on me," making "believe through their word" a single, compact idea.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
For them who will believe - In all ages.