Charles Ellicott Commentary John 17:26

"and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them." — John 17:26 (ASV)

And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it.—The Greek word here rendered “declared” is from the same root as the verb rendered “known” in the previous verse. It is better to preserve this connection by rendering the clause, And I made known Your name to them, and will make it known.

His whole teaching had been a making known of the name, character, will of God, to them.

In part this had been received, but in part only. The first steps in the spiritual lessons had been taken, but in His Presence in the Paraclete He will guide them into all truth, and make known to hearts quickened to receive it, the love of God which surpasses knowledge.

That the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.—Compare Note on John 15:9. The thought of Christ’s prayer in this verse is expanded in Saint Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:17-19. It is more than that God may love the disciples, even as He loved the Son; it is that they may so know the nature of God that this love may be in them, dwelling in them as the principle of their life.

And then the thought passes on to that fullness which has been present all through this last discourse and prayer, and I in them. (Compare John 17:23.) Going from them, to be yet with them; not to be with them only as a Person without, but as a power within. I in them are the last words of the Intercessory Prayer. The words remain in all their comfort for them in whom Christ is formed; in all their encouragement for doubting hearts seeking to know God; in all their warning for hearts that do not seek His presence. They are the prayer of Him who knows that the Father always hears Him.