Bible Strands
John 17:21
that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Father in the high priestly prayer, just before his arrest, extending his concern beyond the twelve to future believers.
The words — ἓν (hen), "one," is neuter, pointing to a unity of nature or essence rather than mere numerical agreement among persons.
The thread — The body-as-one image in 1 Corinthians 12:12 and the dissolution of dividing categories in Colossians 3:11 both echo this functional unity; John 17:11 frames the same prayer as protection "by Your name" while they remain in the world.
Why it lands — The oneness is not the goal; it is the means by which the world believes, so the verse asks the reader to treat division as a failure of witness, not merely a moral shortcoming.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
That 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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
- Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
- John 17:11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
- 1 Corinthians 12:25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.
- Philippians 1:27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
- John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
- John 10:30 I and the Father are one.”
- John 17:22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—
- Zechariah 14:9 On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.
- Acts 4:32 The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.