John 17:26 – “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus is closing His prayer to the Father. He summarizes His mission: to reveal who God truly is. He states, “I have made you known to them.” Throughout His ministry, Jesus had been teaching His disciples about the nature and character of God.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He says, “and will continue to make you known.” Even though He was about to leave His disciples physically, His work of revealing God was not finished. After His resurrection, He would continue to teach them. And through the Holy Spirit, who would come after His ascension, they would continue to grow in their knowledge of God (John 16:13).

The purpose of this revelation is deeply personal: “in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus desires for His followers to experience the same love that the Father has for Him. Not just know about it, but to be filled with it. And more than that, He promises to dwell in them. This is the deep, personal relationship He wants with all who believe in Him.

Historical Context

Jesus prayed this just before His arrest and crucifixion. His disciples were about to go through a time of confusion and fear, but Jesus reassured them that His mission was not ending. Even after He left, He would still be with them through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).

At this time, the Jewish people had a limited understanding of God. Many saw Him as distant and mainly experienced Him through the temple, sacrifices, and religious leaders. But Jesus came to reveal the Father in a personal way. He showed that God is not just a distant ruler, but a loving Father who wants to dwell in His people.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several important truths:

1. Jesus Reveals the Father – No one can truly know God apart from Christ (John 14:9).
2. The Work of Knowing God is Ongoing – Even after we believe, we continue to grow in our knowledge of Him (Colossians 1:10).
3. God’s Love is for Us – The same love the Father has for the Son is given to believers (Romans 5:5).
4. Jesus Lives in Believers – He does not just guide from a distance; He dwells within those who trust in Him (Galatians 2:20).

Literary Analysis

This verse brings Jesus’ prayer to a beautiful conclusion. It follows a pattern:

• “I have made you known to them” – Jesus has already revealed the Father.
• “And will continue to make you known” – His work of revelation will not stop.
• “In order that the love you have for me may be in them” – The goal is for believers to experience God’s love.
• “And that I myself may be in them” – Jesus promises to dwell in His people.

This verse ties back to John’s theme of Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God. From the beginning of the Gospel, John emphasized that Jesus came to make God known (John 1:18).

The word “known” (egnōrisa in Greek) means more than just intellectual knowledge—it means deep, personal understanding. Jesus is not just giving information about God; He is bringing people into a relationship with Him.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 1:18 – Jesus makes the Father known.
• John 14:9 – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
• John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit will continue to guide believers into truth.
• Romans 5:5 – God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
• Galatians 2:20 – Christ lives in believers.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For believers today, this verse is a reminder that our relationship with God is not just about knowing facts—it’s about experiencing His love and presence in our lives.

1. We Can Know God Personally – Jesus came so that we could truly know the Father, not just follow religious traditions.
2. Our Growth in Christ Never Stops – Jesus is still revealing God to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
3. God’s Love is in Us – The love between the Father and the Son is the same love given to us. That should change the way we live, love, and treat others.
4. Jesus Lives in Us – Christianity is not just about following teachings—it’s about Jesus Himself dwelling in us and transforming us from the inside out.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse is filled with evidence of God’s love:

• God desires to be known. He is not hiding from us; He sent Jesus so that we could have a relationship with Him.
• God’s love is shared. The same love that the Father has for the Son is given to all who believe in Jesus.
• God remains present. Jesus didn’t just come and leave; He continues to make God known and remains in His followers.

A loving God does not remain distant. He reveals Himself, fills us with His love, and lives in us through His Spirit.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse highlights Jesus’ role as:

• The One Who Reveals the Father – No one can know God apart from Him (John 14:6).
• The Source of God’s Love – Through Him, we receive the same love the Father has for the Son (Romans 8:39).
• The One Who Lives in Believers – He remains with His followers through the Spirit (John 15:4-5).
• The Ongoing Teacher – His work of making the Father known continues (Luke 24:45).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to truly “know” God, beyond just knowing about Him?
2. How is Jesus still making the Father known to us today?
3. What does it mean that the Father loves us just as He loves Jesus?
4. How does knowing that Jesus dwells in us change the way we live?
5. In what ways can we grow deeper in our relationship with God?

John 17:26 is a powerful conclusion to Jesus’ prayer. It reminds us that knowing God is not just about facts but about experiencing His love and presence in our lives. As we grow in faith, we continue to know Him more, and through Christ, we are drawn into the deep love of the Father. May we live each day in the fullness of that love, drawing closer to Him and reflecting His truth to the world.