Joh 17:4, 24 | JFB | STEP | 4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth —rather, "I glorified" (for the thing is conceived as now past ). I have finished —I finished. the work which thou gavest me to do —It is very important to preserve in the translation the past tense, used in the original, otherwise it might be thought that the work already " finished " was only what He had done before uttering that prayer; whereas it will be observed that our Lord speaks throughout as already beyond this present scene ( , &c.), and so must be supposed to include in His "finished work" the "decease which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem."

John 17:4

4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth—rather, "I glorified" (for the thing is conceived as now past).

I have finished—I finished.

the work which thou gavest me to do—It is very important to preserve in the translation the past tense, used in the original, otherwise it might be thought that the work already "finished" was only what He had done before uttering that prayer; whereas it will be observed that our Lord speaks throughout as already beyond this present scene (Joh 17:12, &c.), and so must be supposed to include in His "finished work" the "decease which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem."

John 17:24

24-26. Father, I will—The majesty of this style of speaking is quite transparent. No petty criticism will be allowed to fritter it away in any but superficial or perverted readers.

be with me where I am—(See on Joh 14:3).

that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me—(See on Joh 17:5). Christ regards it as glory enough for us to be admitted to see and gaze for ever upon His glory! This is "the beatific vision"; but it shall be no mere vision, for "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is" (1Jo 3:2).