
This painting measures about 5'x4'. It's by "El Greco," who was active mostly in Spain in the late 16th and early 17th century. I have seen this work dated variously from 1590-1612. Though it was painted in Toledo, Spain, it now resides in Toledo, Ohio. Significant details include the slightly elongated depiction of Christ, emphasizing the stress he is under as he prays for his disciples and the world. We also notice the three disciples: Peter, James, and John, who have fallen asleep after Jesus asked them to pray with him, a detail found in the Synoptic Gospels but not in John 17. The olive branches around them, broken off, are significant, as the olive tree is a symbol of Israel.
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 17. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. Jesus prays in verses 1-5 that he would return to the glory he originally had with the Father. What does this tell you about Jesus' history and his work as the redeemer?
2. In verses 6-10 Jesus specifically prays for those the Father gave him. What is an appropriate attitude about praying for people - do we pray for everyone the same way? Why or why not?
3. Verses 11-19 speak of the name, the word, and the truth of God as a way people are kept or preserved. What's significant about each of these three elements? In John's Gospel how does the process of guarding people work?
4. In verses 20-26, what encouragement do we receive? What is the result we should expect from Jesus' prayers for us?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 17. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. Jesus prays in verses 1-5 that he would return to the glory he originally had with the Father. What does this tell you about Jesus' history and his work as the redeemer?
2. In verses 6-10 Jesus specifically prays for those the Father gave him. What is an appropriate attitude about praying for people - do we pray for everyone the same way? Why or why not?
3. Verses 11-19 speak of the name, the word, and the truth of God as a way people are kept or preserved. What's significant about each of these three elements? In John's Gospel how does the process of guarding people work?
4. In verses 20-26, what encouragement do we receive? What is the result we should expect from Jesus' prayers for us?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!