The Meaning of John 17:18 Explained

John 17:18

KJV: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

YLT: as Thou didst send me to the world, I also did send them to the world;

Darby: As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world;

ASV: As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

As  thou hast sent  me  into  the world,  even so  have  I also  sent  them  into  the world. 

What does John 17:18 Mean?

Study Notes

world
kosmos = mankind.
The Greek word kosmos means "order," "arrangement," and so, with the Greeks, "beauty"; for order and arrangement in the sense of system are at the bottom of the Greek conception of beauty.
When used in the N.T. of humanity, the "world" of men, it is organized humanity-- humanity in families, tribes, nations--which is meant. The word for chaotic, unorganized humanity--the mere mass of man is thalassa, the "sea" of men (e.g.) Revelation 13:1 (See Scofield " Revelation 13:8 ") . For "world" (kosmos) in the bad ethical sense, "world system" John 7:7 .

Verse Meaning

Jesus next explained the purpose of the sanctification that He requested for His disciples. He had sent them into the world with a mission (cf. John 13:20; John 15:26-27; John 20:21). Similarly the Father had sent the Son into the world with a mission ( John 10:36). In both cases sanctification was essential for the success of the mission.
Comparison with John 17:20 shows that in John 17:6-19 Jesus was praying specifically for the Eleven. However, we should not regard what He requested for the Eleven as restricted to them exclusively. The change that takes place in John 17:20 is not from one group of believers to another as though they were in separate containers. It is rather a broadening of the field from the Eleven to those that would follow them. Thus it is understandable that when Jesus prayed for the Eleven He would pray for some things that not only they but their successors would need. Clearly all subsequent believers would need sanctifying by God"s Word so they could achieve their mission, as the Eleven did.

Context Summary

John 17:18-26 - The Master's Commission
In John 10:36 we are told that the Father consecrated our Redeemer to the great work by which He had brought nigh them that were far off, Ephesians 2:13. What a scene that must have been when Jesus was set apart to destroy the works of the devil, bring in everlasting salvation, and gather into one family the scattered children of God! In that act we were included. We are bound, therefore, to a life of consecration and devotion to the world's redemption.
True unity is spiritual. When we abide in Christ, we abide in each other. Men do not recognize it, but the spiritual unity exists already. If we are one with our Lord, we must be one with all who are members of His mystical body. In different ages the Church has varied outward organization, but there has always been the unity of the one body, the one flock, the one temple. We cannot make that unity, but we must endeavor to keep it, always remembering it, especially when dealing with our fellow-believers. If we are one on earth, we must be with Him forever. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 17

1  Jesus prays to his Father

Greek Commentary for John 17:18

Sent I them [απεστειλα αυτους]
The very verb (αποστελλω — apostellō) used of the original commission of these men (Mark 3:14) and the special commission (Luke 9:2) and the renewal of the commission after the resurrection (John 20:21., both αποστελλω — apostellō and πεμπω — pempō here). [source]
Sent [ἀπέστειλας - ἀπέστειλα]
On a mission. See on Matthew 10:16. [source]
Sanctify []
See on John 17:17. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 17:18

Matthew 10:2 Apostles [ἀποστόλων]
Compare disciples, Matthew 10:1. Apostles is the official term, used here for the first time. They were merely learners (disciples, μαθηταὶ ) until Christ gave them authority. From ἀποστέλλω , to send away. An apostle is one sent forth. Compare John 13:16 and Rev., one that is sent. Cremer (“Biblico-Theological Lexicon”) suggests that it was the rare occurrence of the word in profane Greek that made it all the more appropriate as the distinctive appellation of the twelve. Compare Luke 6:13; Acts 1:2. Also, John 17:18, I have sent. The word is once used of Christ (Hebrews 3:1), and in a very general sense to denote an:), one sent (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25). [source]
John 17:8 The words [τα ρηματα]
Plural, each word of God, as in John 3:34, and of Christ (John 5:47; John 6:63, John 6:68), while the singular Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō like ελαβον — elabon in contrast with εγνωκαν — egnōkan (perfect) in John 17:7. They definitely “received and recognized truly” There was comfort to Christ in this fact. They believed Another aorist parallel with ελαβον — elabon and εγνωσαν — egnōsan The disciples believed in Christ‘s mission from the Father (John 6:69; Matthew 16:16). Note απεστειλας — apesteilas here as in John 17:3. Christ is God‘s Apostle to man (Hebrews 3:1). This statement, like a solemn refrain (Του διδστ σενδ με — Thou didst send me), occurs five times in this prayer (John 17:8, John 17:18, John 17:21, John 17:23, John 17:25). [source]
John 17:14 Not of the world [ουκ εκ του κοσμου]
They are “in the world” (εν τωι κοσμωι — en tōi kosmōi John 17:13) still and Christ sends them “into the world” (εις τον κοσμον — eis ton kosmon John 17:18), but they must not be like the world nor get their spirit, standards, and message “out of the world,” else they can do the world no good. These John 17:14-19 picture the Master‘s ideal for believers and go far towards explaining the failure of Christians in winning the world to Christ. Too often the world fails to see the difference or the gain by the change. [source]
1 John 3:5 Was manifested []
See on John 21:1. Including Christ's whole life on earth and its consequences. The idea of manifestation here assumes the fact of a previous being. John various terms to describe the incarnation. He conceives it with reference to the Father, as a sending, a mission. Hence ὁ πέμψας με Hethat sent me (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 9:4; John 12:44, etc.): ὁ πέμψας με πατήρ theFather that sent me (John 5:37; John 8:18; John 12:49, etc.): with the verb ἀποστέλλω tosend as an envoy, with a commission; God sent ( ἀπέστειλεν ) His Son (John 3:17; John 10:36; 1 John 4:10; compare John 6:57; John 7:29; John 17:18). With reference to the Son, as a coming, regarded as a historic fact and as an abiding fact. As a historic event, He came ( ἧλθεν , John 1:11); this is He that came ( ὁ ἐλθὼν , 1 John 5:6). Came forth ( ἐξῆλθον ; John 8:42; John 16:27, John 16:28; John 17:8). As something abiding in its effects, am come, hath come, is come, marked by the perfect tense: Light is come ( ἐλήλυθεν , John 3:19). Jesus Christ is come ( ἐληλυθότα , 1 John 4:2). Compare John 5:43; John 12:46; John 18:37). In two instances with ἥκω Iam come, John 8:42; 1 John 5:20. Or with the present tense, as describing a coming realized at the moment: whence I come ( ἔρχομαι , John 8:14); compare John 14:3, John 14:18, John 14:28; also Jesus Christ coming ( ἐρχόμενον , 2 John 1:7). With reference to the form: in flesh ( σάρξ ). See John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7. With reference to men, Christ was manifested (1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:8; John 1:31; John 21:1, John 21:14).|To take away ( ἵνα ἄρῃ )|See on John 1:29.|Our sins ( τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν )|Omit ἡυῶν ourCompare John 1:29, τὴν ἁμαρτίαν , the sin. The plural here regards all that is contained in the inclusive term the sin: all manifestations or realizations of sin.|In Him is no sin ( ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν )|Lit., in Him sin is not. He is essentially and forever without sin. Compare John 7:18.| [source]

What do the individual words in John 17:18 mean?

As Me You sent into the world I also sent them
καθὼς ἐμὲ ἀπέστειλας εἰς τὸν κόσμον κἀγὼ ἀπέστειλα αὐτοὺς

ἐμὲ  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἀπέστειλας  You  sent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀποστέλλω 
Sense: to order (one) to go to a place appointed.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
κόσμον  world 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.
κἀγὼ  I  also 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 1st Person Singular
Root: κἀγώ  
Sense: and I.
ἀπέστειλα  sent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀποστέλλω 
Sense: to order (one) to go to a place appointed.