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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 17:20 I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/17-20.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_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 17:20 - Prayer for all Believers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/17-20.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/17-20.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 20</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="/ad20.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/17-19.htm" title="John 17:19">◄</a> John 17:20 <a href="/john/17-21.htm" title="John 17:21">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </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> &#8220My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, <a href="/nlt/john/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. <a href="/esv/john/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, <a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I do not ask for these only, but also for those believing in Me through their word, <a href="/kjv/john/17.htm">King James Bible</a> Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; <a href="/nkjv/john/17.htm">New King James Version</a> “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; <a href="/nasb_/john/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, <a href="/nasb/john/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; <a href="/nasb77/john/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; <a href="/lsb/john/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; <a href="/amp/john/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message, <a href="/csb/john/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. <a href="/hcsb/john/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. <a href="/asv/john/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; <a href="/cev/john/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. <a href="/erv/john/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; <a href="/gwt/john/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I'm not praying only for them. I'm also praying for those who will believe in me through their message. <a href="/gnt/john/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. <a href="/isv/john/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their message, <a href="/msb/john/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, <a href="/net/john/17.htm">NET Bible</a> "I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, <a href="/nheb/john/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, <a href="/wbt/john/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also who shall believe on me through their word. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Nor is it for them alone that I make request. It is also for those who trust in me through their teaching; <a href="/web/john/17.htm">World English Bible</a> “Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I do not ask in regard to these alone, but also in regard to those who will be believing in Me through their word, <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I do not ask for these only, but also for those believing in Me through their word, <a href="/ylt/john/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And not in regard to these alone do I ask, but also in regard to those who shall be believing, through their word, in me; <a href="/slt/john/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I ask not for these alone, but also for them believing in me through their word;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me; <a href="/cpdv/john/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I am not praying for them only, but also for those who through their word shall believe in me. <a href="/nabre/john/17.htm">New American Bible</a> “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, <a href="/nrsvce/john/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I am not making request for these alone, but also for the sake of those who believe in me through their word. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Neither do I pray only for them, but also for these who are trusting in me by their word,”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I pray, not for these only, but for those also who shall believe on me through their word; <a href="/godbey/john/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And I not only pray for these, but also for those believing on me through their word;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And not for them do I make request only, but also for those who shall believe in me through their word; <a href="/mace/john/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> neither pray I for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on me through their preaching. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Nor is it for them alone that I make request. It is also for those who trust in me through their teaching; <a href="/worrell/john/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And I do not pray for these only, but for those also who believe on Me through their word;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Nor do I pray for these only, but for them also that shall believe on me through their word.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/17-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=6149" 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 all Believers</a> 19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. 20<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: erōtō (V-PIA-1S) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">I am not asking</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">on behalf</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">of them</a> <a href="/greek/3440.htm" title="3440: monon (Adv) -- Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely.">alone,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">on behalf of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those who</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pisteuontōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">will believe</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">in</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: eme (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- 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: logou (N-GMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">message,</a> 21that 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.…<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="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a> I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. <a href="/ephesians/4-3.htm">Ephesians 4:3-6</a> and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. / There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ... <a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-13</a> 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. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a> There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. <a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-5</a> Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. <a href="/1_john/1-3.htm">1 John 1:3</a> We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. <a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a> Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">1 Corinthians 1:10</a> I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. <a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14-18</a> For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. ... <a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Acts 4:32</a> 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. <a href="/philippians/2-2.htm">Philippians 2:2</a> then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9-10</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. <a href="/romans/15-5.htm">Romans 15:5-6</a> Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, / so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/1_john/3-23.htm">1 John 3:23</a> And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7</a> Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;pray.<a href="/john/17-6.htm">John 17:6-11</a> I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word… <a href="/ephesians/4-11.htm">Ephesians 4:11</a> And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;for them.<a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Acts 2:41</a> Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.<a href="/acts/4-4.htm">Acts 4:4</a> Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.<a href="/romans/15-18.htm">Romans 15:18,19</a> For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/16-32.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/john/17-19.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/john/16-31.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/john/14-12.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/john/17-15.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/john/17-8.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/john/17-17.htm">Message</a> <a href="/john/17-15.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/john/17-9.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/john/17-9.htm">Request</a> <a href="/john/15-20.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/14-1.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/john/17-17.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/john/18-14.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/john/17-21.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/john/20-27.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/john/18-21.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/john/17-21.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/john/20-17.htm">Message</a> <a href="/john/18-1.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/acts/2-25.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/john/18-9.htm">Request</a> <a href="/john/18-19.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/romans/15-12.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/john/18-9.htm">Word</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> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>I am not asking on behalf of them alone In this phrase, Jesus is referring to His disciples, the immediate audience of His prayer. This highlights the intimate relationship between Jesus and His disciples, who have been with Him throughout His ministry. The context is the Last Supper, where Jesus is preparing His disciples for His impending crucifixion and departure. This prayer is part of what is known as the High Priestly Prayer, where Jesus intercedes for His followers. Theologically, this demonstrates Jesus' role as an intercessor, a theme that is echoed in <a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a>, where Jesus is described as always living to intercede for those who come to God through Him.but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message Here, Jesus extends His prayer beyond the immediate circle of His disciples to include future believers. This shows the forward-looking nature of Jesus' mission and the universal scope of the Gospel. The phrase "those who will believe" indicates the continuity and expansion of the Christian faith through the ages, beginning with the apostolic witness. The "message" refers to the Gospel, which the apostles would preach, as seen in <a href="/acts/2-42.htm">Acts 2:42</a>, where the early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. This also connects to the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, ensuring the spread of the Gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this prayer, Jesus is interceding for His disciples and future believers. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' prayer, representing the first generation of believers. 3. <a href="/topical/f/future_believers.htm">Future Believers</a> Those who will come to faith through the message of the disciples, including all Christians throughout history. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_upper_room.htm">The Upper Room</a> The likely setting of this prayer, part of Jesus' farewell discourse before His crucifixion. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_message.htm">The Message</a> The Gospel message that the disciples will spread, leading others to believe in Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/intercessory_prayer.htm">Intercessory Prayer</a> Jesus models the importance of praying for others, including those who will come to faith in the future. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_gospel_message.htm">The Power of the Gospel Message</a> The message of the disciples is powerful and transformative, leading to the salvation of countless believers. <a href="/topical/u/unity_among_believers.htm">Unity Among Believers</a> Jesus' prayer emphasizes the need for unity among Christians, which serves as a powerful witness to the world. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_discipleship.htm">The Role of Discipleship</a> Believers are called to share the Gospel, continuing the work of the original disciples and fulfilling Jesus' prayer. <a href="/topical/f/faith_across_generations.htm">Faith Across Generations</a> The faith of future believers is connected to the faithfulness of those who share the Gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 17</a> <a href="/q/how_can_believers_unite_to_glorify_god.htm">How can believers be united and glorify God together?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_unify_diversity.htm">How does the Bible promote unity in diversity?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_being_one_with_christ_mean.htm">What does being one with Christ mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_unity.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian unity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Neither pray I for these alone.--Comp. Note on <a href="/john/17-9.htm" title="I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which you have given me; for they are yours.">John 17:9</a>. The thought of the work to which the Apostles are to be consecrated and sent leads on to the wider thought of the Church which shall believe through their word, and the prayer is enlarged to include them.But for them also which shall believe on me through their word.--All the best MSS. read, "but for them also which believe;" but the sense is not affected by the change. As we have again and again found in these chapters, the future of the Church is so immediately in our Lord's thoughts that it is spoken of as actually present. "Their word" is their witness concerning Him through which men should believe (<a href="/john/15-27.htm" title="And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.">John 15:27</a>). He had manifested the nature of God to them; and they who had received His word and witnessed His work would become, by the indwelling of the Spirit in them, the means of extending this revelation of God to others. They would do this by means of the word which, in His name, they would preach. (Comp. <a href="/romans/10-14.htm" title="How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?">Romans 10:14</a> et seq.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 20-26. - (3) Prayer for the Church Catholic in all time. Verse 20. - Neither do I pray (ἐρωτῶ) for - concerning these alone, but also for those who believe on me through their word. The Lord summons the future into the present. He speaks of having once for all sent them, and he sees rising before his eye the multitudes in all ages who would believe their testimony as if already doing so. The universal Church rejoices in the fullness of his love and the greatness of his wish concerning the individuals who believe. The prayer is an eternal intercession. <a href="/commentaries/john/17-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I am not asking ἐρωτῶ (erōtō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. on behalf περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. of them τούτων (toutōn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. alone, μόνον (monon) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3440.htm">Strong's 3440: </a> Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. also καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. on behalf of περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. those who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. will believe πιστευόντων (pisteuontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. in εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Me ἐμέ (eme) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. through διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <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. message, λόγου (logou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/17-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 17:20 Not for these only do I pray (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/17-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 17:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 17:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/17-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 17:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 17:21" /></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>