Albert Barnes Commentary John 17:1

"These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee:" — John 17:1 (ASV)

These words. The words addressed to them in the preceding chapters. They were proceeding to the garden of Gethsemane. It adds much to the interest of this prayer that it was offered in the stillness of the night, in the open air, and in the particularly tender circumstances in which Jesus and His apostles were. It is the longest prayer recorded in the New Testament. It was offered on the most tender and solemn occasion that has ever occurred in our world, and it is perhaps the most sublime composition to be found anywhere.

Jesus was about to die. Having expressed His love to His disciples and made known to them His last desires, He now commends them to the protection and blessing of the God of grace. This prayer, moreover, is a sample of the manner of His intercession and shows the interest He felt on behalf of all who would become His followers in all ages of the world.

Lifted up His eyes. This was the common posture for prayer. .

The hour has come. That is, the appointed time for His sufferings and death. .

Glorify Your Son. Honor Your Son. . Give the world demonstration that I am Your Son. So sustain Me, and so manifest Your power in My death, resurrection, and ascension, as to offer undeniable evidence that I am the Son of God.

That Your Son also may glorify You. This refers clearly to the manifestation of the honor of God that would be made by the spread of the gospel among people (John 17:2). Jesus prayed that God would so honor Him in His death that striking proof might be provided that He was the Messiah, and people thus be brought to honor God.

By His death the law, the truth, and the mercy of God were honored. By the spread of His gospel and the conversion of sinners, by all that Christ will do now that He is glorified to spread His gospel, God will be honored. The conversion of a single sinner honors God; a revival of religion is an eminent means of promoting His honor; and the spread of the gospel among all nations will yet do more than all other things to promote the honor of God among people. Whatever honors the Savior honors God. Just as He is exalted in the mind's view, so will God be honored and obeyed.