Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
This verse comes from what is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" — a long, intimate prayer Jesus prayed aloud in John chapter 17, just hours before his arrest. In it, he intercedes not only for the disciples standing with him but for all future believers. Here, Jesus expresses a specific desire to his Father: that the people he loves would one day be with him and would see his true glory — the glory he shared with God before the universe was created. The phrase "before the creation of the world" establishes that Jesus' relationship with the Father, and by extension his love for his people, predates time itself. This is Jesus' last recorded prayer request before the cross.
Father, it's hard to believe that someone like Jesus prayed for someone like me. Let that truth sink in past my defenses. Give me eyes to see who he truly is, not just the version I've settled for. Amen.
Jesus is hours from arrest when he prays this — and what he asks for isn't rescue, or strength, or even justice. He asks that the people he loves would be *with him*, and that they would get to see who he truly is. That last detail is easy to skip past: he wants you to see his glory. Not as a reward handed to the well-behaved, but as a personal longing rooted in a love that existed before the first star was lit. The intimacy of it is almost hard to sit with. Some days faith feels like a discipline you maintain — something you show up for even when it's dry and you're not sure it's going anywhere. On those days, this verse is worth reading slowly. You were not an afterthought in some cosmic plan. Before anything existed, love was already in motion on your behalf. Jesus' last recorded prayer before his arrest was not about himself — it was for you to truly *see* him. That kind of love doesn't demand performance. It just asks you to look.
Jesus tells the Father that this love existed 'before the creation of the world.' What does it mean to you that the love behind your salvation predates time — and how does that change how you understand your own story?
Jesus' deepest expressed desire in this prayer is for you to be with him and to see his glory. Does that feel real and personal to you, or does it feel abstract and distant? What makes the difference?
Jesus refers to his followers as those the Father has 'given' him. This raises honest questions about belonging and exclusion. How do you wrestle with that tension without either ignoring it or letting it harden you toward others?
Jesus wants the people he loves to truly see who he is. Is there someone in your life whose picture of Jesus is incomplete or distorted? How might your own relationship with them shape what they believe?
If Jesus' deepest desire is for you to see his glory — not just know facts about him — what is one practice you could begin this week to pursue that, driven by genuine desire rather than obligation?
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 8:58
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Revelation 22:3
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:5
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 1:4
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:37
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:43
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15:9
Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given to Me [as Your gift to Me], may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
AMP
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
ESV
'Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
NASB
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
NIV
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
NKJV
Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
NLT
Father, I want those you gave me To be with me, right where I am, So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me, Having loved me Long before there ever was a world.
MSG