What do the eleven apostles represent in John 17?
In John 17, the eleven apostles represent a picture of all who would later become the Lord's through salvation. Though Jesus prays specifically for them, they foreshadow the broader body of believers whom God gives to Christ and whom Christ keeps.
Les explains that in John 17, Christ's high priestly prayer, the men Jesus really refers to are the eleven apostles. But they are just a little picture of all those who would one day become the Lord's by virtue of their salvation. In verse 6, Jesus prays to the Father, saying He manifested His name to the men God gave Him out of the world; they were God's, and God gave them to Christ. Les notes the eleven were not believers until Christ came on the scene, but God already had His finger on them. In verse 12, Jesus says He kept them in God's name, and none of them is lost.
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
Who is Jesus referring to when He prays in John 17, and who do they represent?
In John 17, Jesus is referring to the eleven men the Father gave Him out of the world. They are a little picture of all who would one day become the Lord’s by salvation. God already had His finger on them, though they were not believers until Christ came.
What do the eleven disciples in John 17 represent beyond themselves?
The eleven disciples in John 17 represent more than themselves; they are a little picture of all those who would one day become the Lord’s through salvation. Jesus’ high priestly prayer for the men given to Him out of the world foreshadows every future believer who would be saved.