Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 17:11

"And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we [are]." — John 17:11 (ASV)

Jesus asks for the continuation of the Father’s protection of the disciples in the period of danger that lay ahead of them. The title “Holy Father” (like “Righteous Father” in v.25) is unique and occurs only in this prayer. The holiness of God contrasts with the selfishness and evil of the world that confronts the disciples. On the basis of the holiness of God’s character, Jesus requests the Father to preserve his disciples. The verb “protect” (GK 5498) here has the sense of “preserve,” with an implication of defense. “Name” (GK 3950) stands for the power of God manifested in his person (cf. 5:43; 10:25; 12:28; 17:6, 26), for a name represents authoritatively the person it describes.

The unity mentioned here is not simply a unity achieved by legislation. It is a unity of nature because it is comparable to that of the Son and the Father. The unity of the church must spring from the common life that is imparted to all believers by the new birth; and it is manifested in their common love for Christ and for one another as they face a hostile world. The unity of the Son and the Father is manifested in the deep love that each sustains for the other and by the perfect obedience of the Son to the Father and the perfect response of the Father to the Son.