What does John 17:12 refer to?
John 17:12 refers to Jesus' high priestly prayer, specifically His earthly ministry of keeping the men the Father gave Him. It speaks primarily of the eleven disciples, though they picture all who would become the Lord's through salvation. Jesus kept them in the Father's name, and none of them was lost.
Les explains that John 17 is Christ's high priestly prayer. The men Jesus refers to are the eleven, but they are a little picture of all those who would one day become the Lord's by virtue of salvation. In verse 6, Jesus says He manifested the Father's name to the men given to Him out of the world. Then verse 12 speaks of His earthly ministry: He kept them in the Father's name, and none of them was lost.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.