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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/17-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/43_Jhn_17_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 17:2 - Prayer for the Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/17-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/17-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/17-1.htm" title="John 17:1">◄</a> John 17:2 <a href="/john/17-3.htm" title="John 17:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/17.htm">New International Version</a> For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. <a href="/nlt/john/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. <a href="/esv/john/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. <a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> As You gave Him authority over all flesh, so that all whom You have given Him, He may give to them eternal life. <a href="/kjv/john/17.htm">King James Bible</a> As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. <a href="/nkjv/john/17.htm">New King James Version</a> as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. <a href="/nasb_/john/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. <a href="/nasb/john/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. <a href="/nasb77/john/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. <a href="/lsb/john/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. <a href="/amp/john/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Just as You have given Him power and authority over all mankind, [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him [to be His—permanently and forever]. <a href="/csb/john/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. <a href="/hcsb/john/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. <a href="/asv/john/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. <a href="/cev/john/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And you gave him power over all people, so he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. <a href="/erv/john/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that whatsoever thou hast given him, to them he should give eternal life. <a href="/gwt/john/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> After all, you've given him authority over all humanity so that he can give eternal life to all those you gave to him. <a href="/gnt/john/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> For you gave him authority over all people, so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. <a href="/isv/john/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> For you have given him authority over all humanity so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. <a href="/msb/john/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. <a href="/net/john/17.htm">NET Bible</a> just as you have given him authority over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. <a href="/nheb/john/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give everlasting life to all whom you have given him. <a href="/wbt/john/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> even as Thou hast given Him authority over all mankind, so that on all whom Thou hast given Him He may bestow the Life of the Ages. <a href="/web/john/17.htm">World English Bible</a> even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> according as You gave to Him authority over all flesh, that—all that You have given to Him—He may give to them continuous life; <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> As You gave Him authority over all flesh, so that all whom You have given Him, He may give to them eternal life. <a href="/ylt/john/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> according as Thou didst give to him authority over all flesh, that -- all that Thou hast given to him -- he may give to them life age-during; <a href="/slt/john/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> As thou gavest him the power of all flesh, that every one which thou hast given him, he should give to them eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. <a href="/cpdv/john/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> just as you have given authority over all flesh to him, so that he may give eternal life to all those whom you have given to him. <a href="/nabre/john/17.htm">New American Bible</a> just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. <a href="/nrsvce/john/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Since you have given him power over all flesh, so that to all whom you have given him, he may give life eternal. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Just as you have given him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to them, because you have given all things whatsoever unto him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> as thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all that thou hast given him. <a href="/godbey/john/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>as thou didst give Him authority over all flesh, in order that whatsoever thou hast given unto Him, He may give unto them eternal life.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> even as thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that with regard to all those whom thou hast given him, he should give to them eternal life: <a href="/mace/john/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for thou hast given him power over all men, that he might give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> even as Thou hast given Him authority over all mankind, so that on all whom Thou hast given Him He may bestow the Life of the Ages. <a href="/worrell/john/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>even as Thou gavest Him authority over all flesh, that to all Whom Thou hast given Him He should give eternal life.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that <Fr>as to<FR> all which Thou hast given Him, He might give them eternal life;<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/17-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=5989" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Prayer for the Son</a> 1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2<a href="/greek/2531.htm" title="2531: kathōs (Adv) -- According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōkas (V-AIA-2S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">You granted</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousian (N-AFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">authority</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasēs (Adj-GFS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">over all</a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarkos (N-GFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">people,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dōsē (V-ASA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">He may give</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pan (Adj-ANS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">to all</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">those</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dedōkas (V-RIA-2S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">You have given</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> 3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a> Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. <a href="/daniel/7-14.htm">Daniel 7:14</a> And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a> Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a> For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm">Ephesians 1:20-22</a> which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. / And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, <a href="/hebrews/2-8.htm">Hebrews 2:8</a> and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a> the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-27.htm">1 Corinthians 15:27</a> For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. <a href="/acts/2-36.htm">Acts 2:36</a> Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” <a href="/romans/14-9.htm">Romans 14:9</a> For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. <a href="/psalms/2-8.htm">Psalm 2:8</a> Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. <a href="/psalms/110-1.htm">Psalm 110:1</a> A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” <a href="/1_peter/3-22.htm">1 Peter 3:22</a> who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. <a href="/revelation/5-12.htm">Revelation 5:12-13</a> In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” / And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.As.<a href="/john/3-35.htm">John 3:35</a> The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.<a href="/john/5-21.htm">John 5:21-29</a> For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will… <a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6-12</a> Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion… give.<a href="/john/17-24.htm">John 17:24</a> 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.<a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a> But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.<a href="/john/6-27.htm">John 6:27,54-57</a> Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed… many.<a href="/john/6-37.htm">John 6:37,39</a> All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out… <a href="/john/10-29.htm">John 10:29</a> My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/12-25.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/john/12-50.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/john/16-13.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/john/12-50.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/john/8-15.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/john/6-65.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/john/14-6.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/3-7.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/john/14-30.htm">Power</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/17-3.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/john/17-3.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/john/19-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/acts/7-5.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/john/17-3.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/john/19-11.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/john/17-3.htm">Life</a> <a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/john/17-11.htm">Power</a><div class="vheading2">John 17</div>1. <a href="/john/17-1.htm">Jesus prays to his Father.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/john/17.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>For You granted Him authority This phrase underscores the divine authority bestowed upon Jesus by God the Father. The Greek word for "authority" is "ἐξουσία" (exousia), which implies not just power but the rightful power to act. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, authority was a significant concept, often associated with rulers and emperors. Here, it signifies Jesus' divine right to govern and execute God's will. This authority is not self-assumed but granted by the Father, emphasizing the unity and purpose within the Trinity.over all humanity The phrase "over all humanity" indicates the universal scope of Jesus' authority. The Greek term "σάρξ" (sarx) is often translated as "flesh," representing all of humankind. This highlights the inclusivity of Jesus' mission, transcending ethnic, cultural, and social boundaries. Historically, this was a radical concept, as the Jewish Messiah was expected to be a nationalistic figure. However, Jesus' authority extends beyond Israel to all people, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (<a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Genesis 22:18</a>).so that He may give eternal life The purpose of Jesus' authority is to grant "eternal life." The Greek word "ζωὴν αἰώνιον" (zōēn aiōnion) refers to life that is not only unending but also of a divine quality. This life is characterized by a relationship with God, as seen in the subsequent verse (<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a>). Theologically, this reflects the core of the Gospel message: Jesus came to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity, offering a life that begins now and continues forever.to all those You have given Him This phrase speaks to the divine election and the sovereignty of God in salvation. The Greek word "δέδωκας" (dedōkas) is a perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. It suggests that those who come to Jesus are a gift from the Father, chosen before the foundation of the world (<a href="/ephesians/1-4.htm">Ephesians 1:4</a>). This highlights the security and assurance of the believer's salvation, rooted in God's eternal purpose and grace. Historically, this has been a point of theological reflection and debate, emphasizing God's initiative in the salvation process.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh.--Better, According as thou gavest Him . . . This is the ground on which the prayer in <a href="/john/17-1.htm" title="These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:">John 17:1</a> is based. (Comp. <a href="/john/10-36.htm" title="Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?">John 10:36</a>; <a href="/john/13-3.htm" title="Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;">John 13:3</a>.) The glory for which He asks is in accordance with the decree which appointed His Messianic work."All flesh" represents a Greek translation of a Hebrew phrase. It occurs again in <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm" title="And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.">Matthew 24:22</a>; <a href="/mark/13-20.htm" title="And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days.">Mark 13:20</a>; <a href="/luke/3-6.htm" title="And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.">Luke 3:6</a>; <a href="/acts/2-17.htm" title="And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:">Acts 2:17</a>; <a href="/romans/3-20.htm" title="Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.">Romans 3:20</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-29.htm" title="That no flesh should glory in his presence.">1Corinthians 1:29</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-39.htm" title="All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.">1Corinthians 15:39</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm" title="Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.">Galatians 2:16</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm" title="For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass wither, and the flower thereof falls away:">1Peter 1:24</a>. St. John uses it in this place only. Its especial signification is humanity as such, considered in its weakness and imperfection. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Even as thou gavest him authority - an indefeasible claim of influence and intimate organic relations with humanity - over all flesh. [This phrase answers to (col bosor) the Old Testament term for the whole of humanity, the entire race, and is one adopted by New Testament writers (<a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Matthew 24:22</a>; <a href="/luke/3-6.htm">Luke 3:6</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-29.htm">1 Corinthians 1:29</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a>).] This authority was implied in his incarnation and sacrifice, and in the recapitulation of all things in him. St. Paul says, "Because he tasted death for every man, God has highly exalted him, and given him the Name that is above every name," etc. These opening words reveal the universality and world-wide aspects of the mission and authority and saving power of the Son of God. He holds the keys of the kingdom and city of God. The government is upon his shoulder. Through him all the nations on earth are to be blessed. But the dependence of "all flesh" upon a Divine gift of eternal life through him is no less conspicuous; hence the hopelessness of human nature as it is and apart from grace. The end of this glorification of the Son in the Father is that, in the exercise of this authority, he may give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. The construction is unusual, and literally rendered would be, that with reference to the whole of that which thou hast given him, to them he should give eternal life. The clause, πᾶν ὅ δέδωκας, may be a nominative or accusative absolute, which, by the defining αὐτοῖς, is subsequently resolved into individual elements. The redeemed humanity of all time has been given to the incarnate Son, and is undoubtedly different from the (πάσα σάρξ) "all flesh" of the previous clause, but it is further explained to mean the individual men and women who receive from him eternal life. The bestowment of eternal life on those thus given to him is the method in which he will glorify the Father (see notes on John 6:37, where the Father is said to draw men to himself by means of the unveiling of his own true character in the Son, and where this drawing is seen to be another way of describing the Father's gift to the Son). Those who are given to Christ are those who are drawn by the Father's grace to see his perfect self-revelation in the face of Jesus Christ, of whom Jesus says, "I will by no means cast them out" (<a href="/john/6-37.htm">John 6:37</a>), and concerning whom he avers, "No one cometh unto the Father but by me" (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). Ζώη αἰώνιος, life eternal, is frequently described as his gift. From the first the evangelist has regarded ξώη as the inherent and inalienable prerogative of the "Logos," and the source of all the "light" which has lighted men. This "life," which is "light," came into the world in his birth, and became the head of a new humanity. It is clearly more than, and profoundly different from, the principle of unending existence. Life is more than perpetuity of being, and eternity is not endlessness, nor is "eternal life" a mere prolongation of duration; it refers rather to state and quality than to one condition of that state; it is the negation of time rather than indefinite or infinite prolongation of time. That which Christ gives to those who believe in him, receive him, is the life of God himself. It is strongly urged by many that this eternal life is a present realizable possession, that he that hath the Son hath life, and that we are to disregard the future in the conscious enjoyment of this blessedness; but we must not forget that our Lord obviously refers the life eternal to the future in <a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a>; <a href="/mark/10-30.htm">Mark 10:30</a>; <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Luke 18:30</a>; <a href="/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46</a>. Nor are these statements, as some have said, incompatible with the representations of this Gospel (see <a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40, 54</a>; <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a>; <a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25</a>). The aionian blessedness may have a partial realization here and now, but not fill our vision is less clouded and our perils are less severe shall we fully apprehend it. Nor is this inconsistent with Ver. 3. <a href="/commentaries/john/17-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For καθὼς (kathōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2531.htm">Strong's 2531: </a> According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. You granted ἔδωκας (edōkas) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. Him αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. authority ἐξουσίαν (exousian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. over all πάσης (pasēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. humanity, σαρκός (sarkos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. He may give δώσῃ (dōsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. life ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. [to] all πᾶν (pan) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. those ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. You have given δέδωκας (dedōkas) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. Him. αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/17-2.htm">John 17:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/17-2.htm">NT Gospels: John 17:2 Even as you gave him authority over (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/17-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 17:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 17:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/17-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 17:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 17:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>