Bible Strands
John 17:9
I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Father in the High Priestly Prayer, spoken after the Last Supper and before His arrest. He is interceding specifically for His disciples, not for humanity at large.
The words — ἐρωτῶ (erōtō), "I am asking," is a present active indicative, marking a deliberate, ongoing request rather than a general act of prayer (cf. προσεύχομαι, the more common prayer verb). The preposition περὶ (peri), "concerning / on behalf of," structures the entire contrast between the two groups.
The thread — The same "given to Me" language appears in John 17:2 and 17:6, anchoring the disciples' identity in the Father's sovereign choice. Hebrews 9:24 echoes the intercessory "on our behalf" (περὶ ἡμῶν), and John 17:14, 16, 25 repeat the kosmos contrast.
Why it lands — The verse draws a hard boundary: Christ's intercession is particular, not universal, so the reader must determine whether they belong to the group He is asking for. The text offers no middle position.
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 pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
- John 17:2 For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.
- John 17:6 I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
- Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
- John 17:20 I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
- 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.
- John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—
- John 16:26 In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
- Revelation 20:15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.