John 17:24 – “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus prays a personal and heartfelt request to the Father. He expresses His deep desire that those who belong to Him—His followers—will be with Him and experience His full glory.

The phrase “I want those you have given me to be with me where I am” shows that Jesus longs for His followers to be united with Him in eternity. He does not just save people from sin; He desires to bring them into His presence forever.

Jesus also asks that His followers “see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” This reminds us that Jesus’ glory is eternal. Before He came to earth as a man, He already existed in perfect unity and glory with the Father. His mission on earth was to reveal God’s love, and He wants His followers to share in that glory.

This verse is filled with hope. Jesus is not just asking for temporary blessings for His followers—He is praying that they will be with Him forever in heaven, seeing and experiencing His divine presence.

Historical Context

Jesus prayed this the night before His crucifixion. He knew that His time on earth was coming to an end. Soon, He would be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. Yet, instead of focusing on His suffering, He prayed for His followers.

At this time, the disciples were still confused about what was about to happen. They had followed Jesus for three years, expecting Him to set up an earthly kingdom. But Jesus was preparing them for something much greater—eternal life with Him.

The Jewish people understood the idea of God’s glory from the Old Testament. God’s presence was revealed in the cloud and fire that led Israel (Exodus 13:21) and in the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). But now, Jesus was revealing that the fullness of God’s glory was in Him. He had always existed with the Father in perfect love and majesty, and He wanted His followers to share in that.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several important biblical truths:

1. Jesus Desires Eternal Fellowship with Believers – He doesn’t just save people from sin; He calls them to be with Him forever (John 14:3).
2. Jesus’ Glory is Eternal – His glory is not something He gained later; it has existed since before creation (Philippians 2:6-7).
3. God’s Love for Jesus is the Foundation of His Mission – The Father’s eternal love for the Son is the reason He sent Jesus to save the world (John 3:16).
4. Heaven is About Being with Jesus – The greatest reward for believers is not just escaping hell, but being in the presence of Christ (Revelation 21:3-4).

Literary Analysis

John 17 is often called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer because He is interceding for His followers. This verse builds on the themes of unity, love, and eternal life.

• “Father, I want” – This is a deeply personal request. Jesus is not making a cold theological statement—He is expressing His heart’s desire.
• “Those you have given me” – This phrase emphasizes that believers belong to Jesus because they have been given to Him by the Father (John 6:37).
• “To be with me where I am” – Jesus is thinking beyond the cross and looking toward the future glory of heaven.
• “To see my glory” – This connects with earlier statements about how Jesus reveals the Father’s glory (John 1:14).
• “Before the creation of the world” – This points to Jesus’ eternal existence and His divine relationship with the Father (John 1:1-2).

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 14:3 – Jesus promises to prepare a place for His followers so they can be with Him.
• Philippians 2:6-7 – Jesus existed in the form of God but humbled Himself for our sake.
• Revelation 21:3-4 – In heaven, God’s people will dwell with Him forever.
• 1 John 3:2 – When we see Jesus, we will be like Him in His glory.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For believers today, this verse is a powerful reminder of our ultimate hope. Jesus does not just offer temporary help or guidance—He offers eternal life with Him. No matter what struggles we face in this world, our future is secure.

This verse also challenges us to ask: Are we living with eternity in mind? Many people focus only on the here and now, but Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our real home is with Him.

It also gives us confidence. If Jesus prayed for us to be with Him, we can be sure that He will accomplish it. No power in this world can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse is a beautiful picture of God’s love. Jesus is not just a distant ruler—He is a loving Savior who desires to be with His people forever.

God’s love for Jesus is eternal, and through Jesus, that same love is extended to us. He does not see us as outsiders or servants; He calls us into His own relationship with the Father. This shows that God’s love is personal, eternal, and deeply relational.

A loving God does not just save people from judgment—He welcomes them into His presence and shares His glory with them.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse highlights Jesus’ role as:

• The One Who Desires Fellowship – He wants His followers to be with Him forever (John 14:3).
• The Revealer of God’s Glory – His mission was to show the world who God truly is (John 1:18).
• The Eternal Son of God – He existed in perfect love with the Father before creation (Colossians 1:15-17).
• The One Who Prepares a Place for Believers – He is making ready an eternal home for His people (Hebrews 12:2).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about Jesus’ desire for His followers?
2. How does knowing that Jesus prays for us to be with Him affect our view of eternity?
3. What does it mean to “see Jesus’ glory”?
4. How can we live with an eternal perspective in our daily lives?
5. How does this verse give us confidence in our salvation and future with Christ?

John 17:24 is a powerful reminder that Jesus wants His followers to be with Him forever. He is not just our Savior—He is our destination. As we reflect on this verse, may we find hope in His promise and live in a way that reflects our eternal future with Him.