The Meaning of John 17:17 Explained

John 17:17

KJV: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

YLT: sanctify them in Thy truth, Thy word is truth;

Darby: Sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth.

ASV: Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth:  thy  word  is  truth. 

What does John 17:17 Mean?

Context Summary

John 17:11-17 - In The World But Not Of The World
What is the world? The inspired definition is given in 1 John 2:16. Enumerating her three offsprings, the Apostle goes on to say, "All that is in the world"¦ is not of the Father," that is, does not originate or proceed from Him. We might reverse the proposition and say, "All that does not emanate from the Father, and which is inconsistent with perfect love and purity and truth, is of the world."
The spirit of the world permeates society. All its plans, aims, and activities belong to the present passing show. "Under the sun" is the suggestion of Ecclesiastes. The world has always been in collision with Christ, because His teaching reverses everything that the world prizes. In its beatitudes, its methods of pleasure and acquisition, its view and use of power, and its attitude toward God, the difference is wide as the poles. But its hatred is welcome to the followers of Christ, as proving that they are on the Master's track, and in His fellowship they are abundantly compensated. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 17

1  Jesus prays to his Father

Greek Commentary for John 17:17

Sanctify [αγιασον]
First aorist active imperative of αγιαζω — hagiazō To consecrate or set apart persons or things to God. See Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:1, Exodus 29:36; Exodus 40:13. See Paul‘s prayer for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This is done in the sphere (εν — en) of truth (God‘s truth), God‘s Word (not human speculation, but God‘s message to us). [source]
Sanctify [ἁγίασον]
Constantly used in the Septuagint to express the entire dedication and consecration of both persons and things to God. See Exodus 29:1, Exodus 29:36; Exodus 40:13; Leviticus 22:2, Leviticus 22:3. Rev., in margin, consecrate. See on John 10:36. [source]
Through thy truth [ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου]
The best texts omit thy. Through ( ἐν ) is to be rendered literally, in, marking the sphere or element of consecration. Rev., sanctify them in the truth. [source]
Thy word [ὁ λόγος ο σὸς]
Properly, the word which is thine. See on John 15:9. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 17:17

John 17:18 Sanctify []
See on John 17:17. [source]
John 15:4 Abide in me [μεινατε εν εμοι]
Constative aorist active imperative of μενω — menō The only way to continue “clean” (pruned) and to bear fruit is to maintain vital spiritual connexion with Christ (the vine). Judas is gone and Satan will sift the rest of them like wheat (Luke 22:31.). Blind complacency is a peril to the preacher. Of itself As source (from itself) and apart from the vine (cf. John 17:17). Except it abide Condition of third class with εαν — ean negative μη — mē and present active (keep on abiding) subjunctive of μενω — menō Same condition and tense in the application, “except ye abide in me.” [source]
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify it [ινα αυτην αγιασηι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of αγιαζω — hagiazō Jesus stated this as his longing and his prayer (John 17:17-19). This was the purpose of Christ‘s death (Ephesians 5:25). [source]
Ephesians 5:26 Having cleansed it [καταρισας]
First aorist active participle of καταριζω — katharizō to cleanse, either simultaneous action or antecedent. By the washing of water (τωι λουτρωι του υδατος — tōi loutrōi tou hudatos). If λουτρον — loutron only means bath or bathing-place (= λουτρον — loutron), then λουτρωι — loutrōi is in the locative. If it can mean bathing or washing, it is in the instrumental case. The usual meaning from Homer to the papyri is the bath or bathing-place, though some examples seem to mean bathing or washing. Salmond doubts if there are any clear instances. The only other N.T. example of λουτρον — loutron is in Titus 3:5. The reference here seems to be to the baptismal bath (immersion) of water, “in the bath of water.” See note on 1 Corinthians 6:11 for the bringing together of απελουσαστε — apelousasthe and ηγιαστητε — hēgiasthēte Neither there nor here does Paul mean that the cleansing or sanctification took place in the bath save in a symbolic fashion as in Romans 6:4-6. Some think that Paul has also a reference to the bath of the bride before marriage. Still more difficult is the phrase “with the word” (εν ρηματι — en rēmati). In John 17:17 Jesus connected “truth” with “sanctify.” That is possible here, though it may also be connected with καταρισας — katharisas (having cleansed). Some take it to mean the baptismal formula. [source]
Ephesians 5:26 By the washing of water [τωι λουτρωι του υδατος]
If λουτρον — loutron only means bath or bathing-place (= λουτρον — loutron), then λουτρωι — loutrōi is in the locative. If it can mean bathing or washing, it is in the instrumental case. The usual meaning from Homer to the papyri is the bath or bathing-place, though some examples seem to mean bathing or washing. Salmond doubts if there are any clear instances. The only other N.T. example of λουτρον — loutron is in Titus 3:5. The reference here seems to be to the baptismal bath (immersion) of water, “in the bath of water.” See note on 1 Corinthians 6:11 for the bringing together of απελουσαστε — apelousasthe and ηγιαστητε — hēgiasthēte Neither there nor here does Paul mean that the cleansing or sanctification took place in the bath save in a symbolic fashion as in Romans 6:4-6. Some think that Paul has also a reference to the bath of the bride before marriage. Still more difficult is the phrase “with the word” In John 17:17 Jesus connected “truth” with “sanctify.” That is possible here, though it may also be connected with καταρισας — katharisas (having cleansed). Some take it to mean the baptismal formula. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Sanctify [ἁγιάσαι]
See on John 10:36; see on John 17:17. The primary idea of the word is separation. Hence ἅγιος , the standard word for holy in lxx is, primarily, set apart. Ἁγιάζειν is 1. to separate from things profane and to consecrate to God; 2. to cleanse or purify as one set apart to holy uses. [source]
1 Peter 1:22 In your obedience [εν τηι υπακοηι]
With repetition of the idea in 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:14 (children of obedience).To the truth (της αλετειας — tēs aletheias). Objective genitive with which compare John 17:17, John 17:19 about sanctification in the truth and 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about believing the truth. There is cleansing power in the truth of God in Christ.Unfeigned Late and rare double compound, here alone in Peter, but see James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6, etc. No other kind of πιλαδελπια — philadelphia (brotherly love) is worth having (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).From the heart fervently (εκ καρδιας εκτενως — ek kardias ektenōs). Late adverb (in inscriptions, Polybius, lxx). The adjective εκτενης — ektenēs is more common (1 Peter 4:8). [source]
1 Peter 1:22 To the truth [της αλετειας]
Objective genitive with which compare John 17:17, John 17:19 about sanctification in the truth and 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about believing the truth. There is cleansing power in the truth of God in Christ. [source]
1 John 1:8 The truth []
The whole Gospel. All reality is in God. He is the only true God ( ἀληθινός John 17:3; see on John 1:9). This reality is incarnated in Christ, the Word of God, “the very image of His substance,” and in His message to men. This message is the truth, a title not found in the Synoptists, Acts, or Revelation, but in the Catholic Epistles (James 5:19; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 2:2), and in Paul (2 Corinthians 8:8; Ephesians 1:13, etc.). It is especially characteristic of the Gospel and Epistles of John. The truth is represented by John objectively and subjectively. 1. Objectively. In the person of Christ. He is the Truth, the perfect revelation of God (John 1:18; John 14:6). His manhood is true to the absolute law of right, which is the law of love, and is, therefore, our perfect pattern of manhood. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Truth, absolutely existing in and identified with God, was also, in some measure, diffused in the world. The Word was in the world, before as after the incarnation (John 1:10. See on John 1:4, John 1:5). Christ often treats the truth as something to which He came to bear witness, and which it was His mission to develop into clearer recognition and expression (John 18:37). This He did through the embodiment of truth in His own person (John 1:14, John 1:17; John 14:6), and by His teaching (John 8:40; John 17:17); and His work is carried out by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), sent by God and by Christ himself (John 14:26; John 16:7). Hence the Spirit, even as Christ, is the Truth (1 John 5:6). The whole sum of the knowledge of Christ and of the Spirit, is the Truth (1 John 2:21; 2 John 1:1). This truth can be recognized, apprehended, and appropriated by man, and can be also rejected by him (John 8:32; 1 John 2:21; John 8:44). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Subjectively. The truth is lodged in man by the Spirit, and communicated to his spirit (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). It dwells in man (1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4; 2 John 1:2), as revelation, comfort, guidance, enlightenment, conviction, impulse, inspiration, knowledge. It is the spirit of truth as opposed to the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). It translates itself into act. God's true children do the truth (John 3:21; 1 John 1:6). It brings sanctification and freedom (John 8:32; John 17:17). See on John 14:6, John 14:17. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

2 John 1:1 In the truth [ἐν ἀληθείᾳ]
Omit the. The expression in truth marks the atmosphere or element of truth in which something is said, or felt, or done. See John 17:17. In truth is equivalent to truly, really. Compare Colossians 1:6; John 17:19. [source]

What do the individual words in John 17:17 mean?

Sanctify them by the truth the word - of You truth is
ἁγίασον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ λόγος σὸς ἀλήθειά ἐστιν

ἁγίασον  Sanctify 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἁγιάζω 
Sense: to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow.
ἀληθείᾳ  truth 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
λόγος  word 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σὸς  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Root: σός  
Sense: thy, thine.
ἀλήθειά  truth 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.