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.
Les explains that in John 17, Christ’s high priestly prayer, the men Jesus really refers to are the eleven. Nevertheless, they are just a little picture of all of 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 the Father’s name to the men given to Him out of the world; they were the Father’s, and He gave them to Jesus. Les points out those eleven were not believers until Christ came on the scene, so God already had His finger on them. Then in verse 12, speaking of His earthly ministry, Jesus says He kept them in the Father’s name, and none of them is lost. Thus, the eleven represent every future believer who would be saved.