John 17:24 Meaning: The Glory Jesus Wants Us to See
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
`Father, those whom Thou hast given to me, I will that where I am they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory that Thou didst give to me, because Thou didst love me before the foundation of the world.
Father, [as to] those whom thou hast given me, I desire that where I am they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before [the] foundation of [the] world.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus prays for believers to be with him and see his glory, grounded in the Father's love before creation. A promise of eternal joy with Christ.
Context
John 17 is Jesus’ prayer to the Father just hours before his arrest. He prays first for himself, then for his disciples, and then for all who will one day believe through their message. Verse 24 comes near the end of this prayer, and it shows the deepest wish Jesus holds for his people. He wants them to be with him where he is and to see the glory the Father gave him. That request rests on something solid: the Father’s love for the Son before anything was created. The whole prayer reveals Jesus as both the one who prays and the one who makes the answer certain.
Key Words
Jesus uses the word thelō, which carries a sense of deep, deliberate desire. This is not a casual wish. It is what he sets his heart on. When he says “I desire,” he is showing us what matters most to him, our presence with him.
The word for “behold” here is theōreō. It means more than just seeing with your eyes. It suggests looking closely, taking in, experiencing. In the Bible, to see God’s glory is to share in it. Barnes notes that behold implies participation. So Jesus is not asking for us to be distant spectators. He wants us to know and enjoy his glory firsthand.
The word for love at the end of the verse is agapaō. This is the same word used throughout John for the deepest, choosing love. The Father loved the Son with this love before time began. That love is the reason we can be brought into the picture. It is the source of our hope.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found deep assurance in this verse. Wesley, speaking from a Methodist background, wrote that here Jesus prays as a Son, not a servant, asking for what is rightfully his to request. Calvin, representing the Reformed tradition, saw the “beholding of glory” as the perfect happiness of believers, a progressive journey that culminates in heaven. Gill, from a Reformed Baptist perspective, emphasized that those given to Christ are the elect, known from eternity. The Cambridge Bible notes that the glory is the glory of the incarnate Son, the risen and ascended Lord. Across these views, there is agreement: Jesus earnestly desires the eternal joy of his people, and that joy is found in being with him.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take the phrase “I will” as Jesus giving orders to the Father, as if he were overriding the Father’s will. In fact, as many commentators explain, the Greek word thelō here expresses a strong, earnest desire in the form of prayer. Jesus is not commanding; he is sharing his heart with the Father. This is the language of intimate trust, not demand. It shows us how deep his love is, that he longs for us to be with him.
Living This Out
This week, you might find yourself in a situation where you feel alone or wonder if your faith really matters. Let this verse remind you that Jesus prayed for you to be with him. Your future is not vague, it is specific: you will see his glory. That hope can change the way you handle a hard conversation, a long illness, or a quiet disappointment. When you feel forgotten, remember that the Son of God wanted you so much that he spoke these words just before he died. Hold on to that.
Main takeaway: Jesus desires with all his heart that every believer be with him eternally, sharing the glory of the Father's love that existed before the world began.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus prayed for you. He wants you to be with him in heaven to see how wonderful he is. Isn't it good to know Jesus wants you with him?
For ages 9, 12
This verse shows what Jesus cared about most. He wasn't just asking for good things for his friends. He asked that they would be with him forever, seeing his glory. The glory is the brightness of who Jesus really is, God's Son, full of love and power. And because the Father loved him even before the world was made, we can be sure this promise is real.
Questions People Ask
What does 'I will' mean in John 17:24?
The Greek word thelō expresses a deep, personal desire. Jesus is not giving orders; he is sharing what he longs for. Many Bible translations use 'I will' but it should be understood as a prayer, not a command.
What kind of glory is Jesus talking about?
Jesus refers to the glory the Father gave him as the incarnate Son, the honor and majesty he received as the risen Lord. Many commentators see this as the glory believers will see and share in heaven, the full brightness of his divine nature made visible.
Who are 'those whom you have given me'?
This includes all believers, not just the apostles from the first century. In the context of John 17, Jesus prays for the disciples and then for all who will believe through their word. The phrase describes everyone the Father draws to the Son.
How does this verse give hope?
It shows that Jesus himself longs for our presence. Our hope is not just escaping pain, but being with Christ himself. The guarantee of this hope rests on the Father's love for the Son, which is unshakable.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study