Glory and Glorification in the Gospel of John: The Granting of Δόξα to Believers in John 17:22

Abstract

The glory given by Jesus to the disciples in John 17:22 has received little attention in Johannine scholarship. Often interpreters gloss over glory in 17:22 and direct their attention to Jesus’s prayer for unity. Others may acknowledge that glory is given as a provision for this unity but neither take the time to define glory nor to explain how its granting enables unity. This study provides an exegetical analysis of John 17:20–23 in an attempt to define glory and explain how its granting enables unity and witness. I argue that glory in John 17:22 is both the radiance of God’s character and the status of being children of God. I also undertake a study on glory and glorification in John and aim to interpret glory in John 17:22 in light of John’s entire gospel. Surprisingly, there is still no full length study on glory or glorification in John published in English. I devote several chapters to analysis of glory language in John and propose that John frames the entire ministry of Jesus as one of revealing the glory of Yahweh. Jesus’s public ministry (John 1–12) is a revelation of Yahweh’s glory in his signs. Jesus’s death, and resurrection is the climactic sign, revealing Yahweh’s glory in an ultimate act of love. In the hour of glorification, Jesus glorifies the Father, that is, he reveals the Father and honors the Father. The granting of glory by Jesus to his disciples enables Jesus to continue the glorification of the Father through them. Sent out by Jesus, they will go forth and glorify God—honoring God by revealing God—through loving one another and bearing witness.