John 17:20–23

Verse 20. After having prayed for his apostles in particular, he now begins to pray for all that would afterwards, by their preaching, believe in his name; (Saint Augustine tract. 109. in Joan.) and by this he likewise comforts his disciples, shewing them, that they would prove the instruments of the salvation of others. Saint John Chrysostom hom. 80 in Joan.—This divine prayer of Jesus Christ is a great comfort to all Christians; it is introduced in the holy Canon of the Mass, before the consecration, as here it was made just before his visible sacrifice on the cross. B.

Verse 21. Christ does pray that his disciples may be one, as he and his heavenly Father are one; not that the unity may resemble the unity of persons in the divinity, by a perfect and exact likeness; but only as far as it is possible for men to imitate the perfections of God, as when he says, “Be ye merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.” Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxxxi in Joan.

Verse 22. The glory which thou gavest me, I have given to them. Saint John Chrysostom expounds this of the power of working miracles: Saint Augustine rather understands the glory of heaven, which he had given, prepared, and designed to give them in heaven. This seems to be the sense by the 24th verse, where he says, Father, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me, may be with me. Witham.