Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 17:19-20

"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;" — John 17:19-20 (ASV)

That they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, –

This little handful of followers gathered about me, –

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That shows that Christ's prayer embraces us also who have been brought to believe on him through the word which the apostles declared. Christ, with prescient eye, looked on every one of us who believe on him, and prayed for each one of us as much as he did for John, and Peter, and James.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Christ knew that his Church would grow. He did not merely pray for the little handful of disciples who were with him there, but he prayed for all who, in later years, should believe on him.

That they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, –

This little handful of disciples who had been gathered to his name, –

That they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

They were only a handful of disciples, but you cannot tell what a multitude will believe on Christ through their word. There were but twelve apostles; yet John beheld a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel, and after that he beheld a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands.

The Saviour undoubtedly linked his little band of disciples with the ancient promise, There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains, the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon. What great events from little causes spring! Whenever you are doing good, remember not only those who are immediately saved, but the others who will be blessed through them, even as our Saviour said, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. We who have believed on Jesus, through the word preached or written by the apostles, are also included in this prayer of their Lord and ours.

Notice what our Saviour asked of his Father for them and for us: