And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Parallel translations
- WEB But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
- BSB But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.
- NKJV But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
- NASB But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
- NLT “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus speaks these things aloud so that his disciples may share fully in his joy. His prayer is meant for their encouragement.
Overview
As he returns to the Father, Jesus prays openly in his disciples' hearing so they may possess his own joy in full measure. The joy is not worldly happiness but the deep gladness of fellowship with God that endures through trial. This shows that Christ's high-priestly intercession is intended to strengthen and gladden his people, not only to address the Father.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Heb 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- John 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
- John 3:29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
- John 16:22–24And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
- 1 Jn 1:4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
- Ps 43:4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
- John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- John 13:3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
- Neh 8:10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
- Ps 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
- Rom 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
- 2 Jn 1:12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
- Acts 13:52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 17:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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