Bible Strands
John 17:23
I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks this prayer to the Father during His final hours before the crucifixion, addressing the disciples He has gathered. The moment occurs within the extended high priestly prayer recorded in John 17.
The words — The Greek ἐν αὐτοῖς (en autois) and ἐν ἐμοί (en emoi) literally mean "in them" and "in Me," emphasizing mutual indwelling. The conjunction ἵνα (ina) introduces the purpose clause, showing this union is intended to produce a specific result.
The thread — The theme of divine indwelling and unity reappears in John 17:21, where the Father and Son's mutual presence is the model for believer unity. The Father's love for believers is also highlighted in John 16:27 and 1 John 3:1.
Why it lands — The text states that perfect union between believers and Christ serves as evidence to the world of Jesus' divine commission and the Father's love. A reader must recognize that this unity is not an abstract ideal but a visible reality meant to authenticate the gospel message.
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
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Cross-references
- 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.
- John 16:27 For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.
- 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
- John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
- 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.
- John 17:26 And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”
- Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
- John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.
- John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
- John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.