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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 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/17-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/43_Jhn_17_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 17:17 - Prayer for the Disciples" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." /><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/17-17.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/17-17.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 17</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/17-16.htm" title="John 17:16">◄</a> John 17:17 <a href="/john/17-18.htm" title="John 17:18">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Make them holy in the truth: Thy Message is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />sanctify them in Your truth, Your word is truth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> sanctify them in Thy truth, Thy word is truth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Render them holy in thy truth: thy word is truth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O Father, sanctify them in your truth, because your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“Father, sanctify them by your truth, because your word is truth.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Sanctify them through the truth: thy word is truth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Make them holy in the truth: Thy Message is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/17-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=6131" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Prayer for the Disciples</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/37.htm" title="37: hagiason (V-AMA-2S) -- From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.">Sanctify</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheia (N-DFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth;</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4674.htm" title="4674: sos (PPro-NM2S) -- Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.">Your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logos (N-NMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheia (N-NFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">18</span>As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-160.htm">Psalm 119:160</a></span><br />The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-142.htm">Psalm 119:142</a></span><br />Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16</a></span><br />All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Ephesians 5:26</a></span><br />to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22-23</a></span><br />Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. / For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a></span><br />For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-18.htm">James 1:18</a></span><br />He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:13</a></span><br />And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-7.htm">2 Corinthians 6:7</a></span><br />in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">1 John 5:6</a></span><br />This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a></span><br />Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-3.htm">John 15:3</a></span><br />You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.</p><p class="hdg">Sanctify.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/17-19.htm">John 17:19</a></b></br> And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a></b></br> And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/15-3.htm">John 15:3</a></b></br> Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.</p><p class="hdg">word.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40</a></b></br> But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/7-28.htm">2 Samuel 7:28</a></b></br> And now, O Lord GOD, thou <i>art</i> that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-6.htm">Psalm 12:6</a></b></br> The words of the LORD <i>are</i> pure words: <i>as</i> silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/17-11.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/17-14.htm">Message</a> <a href="/john/10-36.htm">Sanctify</a> <a href="/john/17-8.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/17-12.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/17-14.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/17-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/17-20.htm">Message</a> <a href="/john/17-19.htm">Sanctify</a> <a href="/john/17-19.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/18-9.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/17-20.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">John 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/17-1.htm">Jesus prays to his Father.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </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><b>Sanctify them</b><br />The word "sanctify" comes from the Greek word "hagiazō," which means to make holy, consecrate, or set apart for sacred use. In the context of <a href="/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17</a>, Jesus is praying for His disciples to be set apart for God's purposes. This sanctification is not merely a moral or ethical cleansing but a divine action that aligns believers with God's will. Historically, sanctification has been a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. The call to be sanctified is a call to live a life distinct from the world, dedicated to God's service.<p><b>in the truth</b><br />The Greek word for "truth" is "alētheia," which signifies reality, certainty, and faithfulness. In the biblical context, truth is not just factual correctness but a reflection of God's nature and His revelation to humanity. Jesus Himself is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>), indicating that truth is personified in Him. The truth is foundational for sanctification because it aligns believers with God's reality, as opposed to the deceptions of the world. Historically, the pursuit of truth has been a hallmark of Christian discipleship, urging believers to seek God's truth in Scripture and in their daily lives.<p><b>Your word</b><br />The term "word" here is translated from the Greek "logos," which can mean a spoken word, a message, or a divine utterance. In the Gospel of John, "logos" is also used to describe Jesus Himself as the divine Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1, 14</a>). The "word" of God is both the Scriptures and the living Word, Jesus Christ. It is through engagement with God's word that believers are sanctified, as it reveals God's character, will, and promises. Historically, the Bible has been the primary means through which Christians understand God's truth and are transformed by it.<p><b>is truth</b><br />This phrase underscores the absolute reliability and authority of God's word. The Greek construction emphasizes that God's word is not just true but is the very essence of truth. In a world filled with relative truths and shifting moral standards, the Bible stands as the unchanging standard of truth. This assertion of the Bible's truthfulness has been a cornerstone of conservative Christian belief, affirming that Scripture is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative for faith and practice. The truth of God's word is what sanctifies believers, guiding them in righteousness and equipping them for every good work.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Sanctify them through thy truth.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">in Thy truth.</span> Truth was the sphere in which their sanctification was to take place. They had through Christ received the Father's word, which was truth, and had passed into a new region of life, separate from the world (<a href="/context/john/17-6.htm" title="I have manifested your name to the men which you gave me out of the world: your they were, and you gave them me; and they have kept your word.">John 17:6-8</a>; <a href="/context/john/17-14.htm" title="I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.">John 17:14-16</a>). He has prayed that the Father would preserve them in this, and now He prays further that the Father would in this new region of life set them apart for the work to which He had sent them (<a href="/john/17-18.htm" title="As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.">John 17:18</a>).<p>The idea at the root of the word rendered "sanctify," is not holiness, but separation. It is opposed not to what is impure, but to what is common, and is constantly used in the Greek of the Old Testament for the consecration of persons and things to the service of God. Hence our Lord can use it of Himself in <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>, and in this context (<a href="/john/17-19.htm" title="And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.">John 17:19</a>; these are the only places where it occurs in St. John's writings). He was Himself "set apart and sent into the world." He has to send them into the world in the same way (<a href="/john/17-18.htm" title="As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.">John 17:18</a>, and <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>), and prays that they may be in the same way consecrated for their work. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Sanctify them</span>; consecrate them (cf. <a href="/john/10-36.htm">John 10:36</a>, of the sanctification of the Son by the Father to the work of effecting human redemption), separate them from the evil of the world, as for holy purposes. Devote them to the glorious cause. Let them be sacrifices on the altar. The <span class="greek">ἁγιάζω</span>, to sanctify, is not synonymous with <span class="greek">καθαρίζω</span>, to purify; <span class="greek">α{γιος ισ</span> not a contradiction of the defiled so much as of the purely natural, and involves the higher ends of grace (<a href="/exodus/29-1.htm">Exodus 29:1, 36</a>; <a href="/exodus/40-13.htm">Exodus 40:13</a>). The sanctification of the Old Testament is a ritual process effected by ceremonial observance; the sanctification of the New Testament is a spiritual process passing over heart and conscience and will, and is the work of the Divine Spirit. Meyer, Westcott, and others translate the next clause, <span class="cmt_word">in the truth</span>, as the atmosphere in which the disciples dwell; but a large number of commentators, with Godet, take <span class="greek">ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ</span> as equivalent to" by the aid of," with the instrumentality of, "the truth:" consecrate them, by revealing to them the reality, making known to them the truth. If they see the truth they will be discharged from the illusions of the world, the flesh, and the devil. (Luther takes <span class="greek">ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ</span> adverbially, and as equivalent to "<span class="accented">verily</span> and indeed; but this cannot well be, seeing the article is present, and taking account of the subsequent definition of <span class="greek">ἀληθεία</span>, it becomes improbable.) But what is "<span class="accented">truth"</span><span class="accented">?</span> what is the full expression of reality? how are we to know where to find it? <span class="cmt_word">Thy Logos</span> (thy Word), the utterance of thy thought, <span class="cmt_word">is truth</span>. If we can ever cognize what is the Divine thought about anything, we shall reach the absolute truth. What God troweth is truth per <span class="accented">se</span>. The Logos of God, the full, God-chosen utterance of the reality of truth, is the nearest approach to truth that we possess. This revelation of God is the closest correspondence with the reality. God sanctifies his children, consecrates them to the service of his kingdom by revealing the truth, by making known the otherwise transcendental facts of his kingdom. A long controversy has prevailed in the Church as to whether the Spirit's gracious operations are or are not limited by the operation of truth on the mind. Numerous assurances of the New Testament seem thus to limit the grace of God, or to measure it by the ordinary effect produced on the understanding by Divine truth; e.g. "Of his own will begat he us by the Word of truth;" the parable of the sower, and other Scriptures. But seeing that the regeneration, the conference of new and supernatural life, is set forth by images of resurrection and new creation, and as a purification of taste, bias, and desire, the gift of a new heart and right spirit, the voice of a heavenly sonship crying within us, "Abba, Father," and seeing that the ministration of the Spirit is variously directed and operative, and that there is shadowed forth an immediate work on the heart," back of consciousness" itself, and that the witness of the Spirit and the teaching and indwelling of the Holy Ghost are continually referred to, - we are loath to accept the dogma. The Spirit of God is not limited to the normal operations of the Word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/17-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Sanctify</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁγίασον</span> <span class="translit">(hagiason)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_37.htm">Strong's 37: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(autous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">truth;</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀληθείᾳ</span> <span class="translit">(alētheia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> </span><span class="str2">From alethes; truth.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your</span><br /><span class="grk">σὸς</span> <span class="translit">(sos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4674.htm">Strong's 4674: </a> </span><span class="str2">Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">word</span><br /><span class="grk">λόγος</span> <span class="translit">(logos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">truth.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλήθειά</span> <span class="translit">(alētheia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> </span><span class="str2">From alethes; truth.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/17-17.htm">NT Gospels: John 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/17-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 17:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 17:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/17-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 17:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 17:18" /></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>