After the Last Supper, Jesus prays. He just said that he gave his followers the words of the Divine.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
I myself ask concerning them. Not concerning this society, do I ask. Instead concerning those you have given me because you have them.
We all want to be held.
First, let's get the confusing translation out of the way. The word translated as "pray" means "ask." It is not the common word for "pray." It is the asking of a question not a request for something. And Jesus isn't praying "for" anyone. The first two prepositions translated as "for" mean "concerning" or "about" not "for the benefit of." So Jesus is asking "about" those given him. The last "for" is a conjunction, a different word, that means "because."
The surprise, as usual, is at the end, translated as "they are yours." In ancient Greek, a genitive pronoun as the object of the verb "to be" means "belongs to" which is what the translators are saying. But this is not a genitive pronoun. Instead, it is a dative, an indirect object. Translating it normally, it means "to/by/for you." However, with the verb "to be" means possession, working like a reverse "have," not "they have you" but "you have them." This is subtly different than "they belong to you" which means ownership. In Greek, "having" something can mean "holding it," "maintaining it," "keeping it close," and "keeping it safe." This is a rare enough construction that it was obviously intentional. It may imply a more complete knowledge of these people than Jesus has, which is why he is asking about them.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "pray" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "pray" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "are" does not capture the word's specific meaning with an indirect object.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "yours" is not the possessive but the indirect object, "to you" that with the verb "to be" acts as the one who has.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "pray" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "pray" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "for" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "are" does not capture the word's specific meaning with an indirect object.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "yours" is not the possessive but the indirect object, "to you" that with the verb "to be" acts as the one who has.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
pray -- (CW) The word translated as "pray" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request." It is not the common word for "pray."
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
them: -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is the plural dative.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
pray -- (CW) The word translated as "pray" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request." It is not the common word for "pray."
not-- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world, -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. the form is the plural, genitive of any gender.
which -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek source.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
hast -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
me; -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me."
for -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
are -- (CW) The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With an indirect object, it means a reverse "have" where the indirect object becomes the subject and the subject the object.
thine. -- (WF) The word for "thine" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object, which usually requires a preposition in English, like "to you."
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
pray -- (CW) The word translated as "pray" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request." It is not the common word for "pray."
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
them: -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is the plural dative.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
am -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
praying -- (CW) The word translated as "pray" means "to ask" "to beg," or "to question." It means to "ask about a thing" or "to question a person." A different Greek verb means "asking for something" as in "request." It is not the common word for "pray."
not-- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world, -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
for - (CW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "for."
those -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. the form is the plural, genitive of any gender.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
given -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
me; -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me,""for me," and "by me."
for -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With an indirect object, it means a reverse "have" where the indirect object becomes the subject and the subject the object.
yours . -- The word for "yours" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object, which usually requires a preposition in English, like "to you."
Ἐγὼ 162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "For" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
αὐτῶν [720 verses](adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Them"is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." In the plural, "they," "them," and "their." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there."
ἐρωτῶ: [17 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind/subj act) "I pray" is from erotao, which means "to ask," "beg," or "to question." This word means asking for information.
οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "For" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
τοῦ[821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόσμου [63 verses](noun sg masc gen) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
ἐρωτῶ [17 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind/subj act) "I pray" is from erotao, which means "to ask," "beg," or "to question." This word means asking for information.
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "For" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
ὧν [294 verses](pron pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Them which" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
δέδωκάς [147 verses](verb 2nd sg perf ind act) "Thou hast given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "For" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
σοὶ [81 verses](pron 2nd sg dat) "Thine" is soi which is the singular, second-person pronoun, "you," in the form of an indirect pronoun.
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
The following are here in my source but translated in the next verse in English Bibles.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). - missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
ἐμὰ [28 verses](article pl neut nom/acc) "My" is emos, which means "mine," "of me," "my," "relating to me," and "against me." The form can also be the object of a preposition, "me." -- (CW) "My" is the first-person adjective, not the common pronoun, used in Greek to create a possessive or as the object of a preposition. Unlike the genitive pronoun used as a possessive, its case matches its noun. Perhaps "mine own" captures its best. CW - Confusing Word -- The "my" is not the common word usually translated as "my."
πάντα [212 verses](adj pl neut nom/acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether." -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
σά [8 verses](adj pl neut nom) "Thine" is sos, which means "thy," "thine" "of thee," or "from thee." - This is not the common second-person possessive pronoun, but a special pronoun used to describe things that are owned.
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative. -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are.
The specific knowledge that Jesus seems is to be asking for is a certainty that Jesus came from the Father, h. Christ doesn't need for the powers-that-be, i.e. the world order, to have this knowledge. He is only seeking it for God's followers.