Paragraph 17:20–24
In this paragraph Jesus prayed for those who would believe in him and follow him in the future. He also prayed specifically for the 11 disciples with him.
17:20a
I am not asking on behalf of them alone: This clause indicates that Jesus was praying for others as well as for his disciples who were there with him. He was not praying for the 11 disciples alone. In your translation, make sure that it is clear that Jesus’ disciples were included in the prayer request. For example:
As well as praying for these disciples, I pray for…
-or-
I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for… (New Century Version)
I am…asking: This clause here means “I pray” and refers to what Jesus was doing at that time. He was making a request to God. For example:
I am praying (New Living Translation (2004))
on behalf of them alone: This phrase indicates that Jesus was not just thinking of the disciples there with him. He was not only praying for (on behalf of) them. In some languages it may be natural to indicate that the word them refers to the disciples there. For example:
not only for these disciples (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
not…just for these followers (Contemporary English Version)
17:20b
but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but here connects a negative statement (17:20a) to a positive statement (17:20b). This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:
• Use the conjunction but as in the Berean Standard Bible.
I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. (Good News Translation)
• Use a conjunction other than but. This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:
I do not pray only for these. Rather, I also pray for the people who will believe in me because of their preaching.
• Do not use a conjunction. For example:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (New International Version)
• Change the order of the clauses. For example:
I am praying for all the people who will believe in me because my disciples will preach to them. I am not just praying for those who already believe.
-or-
I am praying for all those who will believe in me because of their teaching, and not just for them.
You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.
also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message: This expression indicates that Jesus then prayed for all Christians in all times. These are people who would believe the message that the disciples first preached. For example:
but I am also praying for all those who will believe in me because of their teaching (New Century Version)
-or-
I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. (Contemporary English Version)
will believe in Me: This phrase includes the idea of believing the facts about who Jesus was and what he did. But it also includes the idea of trusting Jesus instead of trusting oneself or someone else. Both ideas are very closely related. If someone believes the facts about Jesus, it should result in trusting him. See how you translated similar phrases in 1:12, 2:11, and 3:16. Here are other ways to translate this idea:
put their faith in me (Revised English Bible)
-or-
will become believers
through their message: This phrase here means “because of the message that the disciples will preach.” The disciples would preach and teach the gospel message, and many other people would then believe in Jesus. These new believers would in turn tell others, who would themselves believe and share God’s word with more people. Each of these generations of believers are included in Jesus’ prayer. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
because of their teaching (New Century Version)
-or-
because of what they will tell ⌊about me⌋
their: This pronoun refers to the 11 disciples.
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