King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Chapters: John 17-18
Message: John: Jesus Prays For His People
Hello My Friend,
As we read through the Gospels we learn that Jesus often prays for His people, and even though they have many ups and downs in the size of their faith, He does not hold that against them. We also learn why His people are not to live in a bubble, but go out into the world and preach the Gospel to all people.
[Romans 10:12-15 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!]
While there are different roles within the Church, there is a difference between being a preacher and preaching the Gospel to the lost, which we will discover that all saints are called to do. Perhaps, the most effective way for us to preach the Gospel is by our own experience in how we found Christ. Now, most of us had to experience a great deal of trials to get there to begin with, and what better person to explain this than Peter, [1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:]
Charles Spurgeon, said this about faith, [Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her:…No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity….Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation…thank God for what grace you have; praise him for that degree of holy confidence whereunto you have attained: walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.]
What a powerful reminder to all of us who are facing fiery trials right now! When we are facing these trials we tend to lose sight of all the Jesus has brought us through before. I mean, if Jesus can pick me up off the floor and tell me that He never brought me here to leave by some allergic reaction to a supplement, then He can surely see me through the trial I am in now. Little did Peter realize at the time of his own fiery trial that he would be saying those very words to all of us, but it all began right here as Jesus was about to endure His own fiery trial of faith. Now, we learned from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, that before Jesus was captured He went up to Gethsemane to pray.
[Matthew 26:36-39 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.]
I bring this up again because we need understand that in regards to Jesus being one of us in the flesh, He still had the human tendencies that we all have, He felt the pain and sorrows that we feel and also faced His own fiery trial. Of course, He had faith in who He is and knew what was to come on the other side of that trial, but that still did not stop Him from being human. Jesus, prayed this prayer three times, which is understandable since He was about to go through the most horrific pain that anyone would ever endure. However, He did not just pray for Himself, John, reveals the last words that Jesus spoke when He prayed to His Father before being captured.
[John 17:1-6 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 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.]
What Jesus meant by being glorified is that He was about to die and resurrect three days later. While He is God in the flesh, His body itself would be to first to resurrect into a new glorified body, meaning immortal. This was actually done so that we too can receive glorified bodies when we who are saved when Jesus calls for us, [1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.]
Man, what a thought! Just this morning I was praying to God and telling Him how much I would love to have a new body and He reminded me that one day I will have a new body and praise God for that. Now, watch as Jesus continues praying how we know that we too have that assurance that we will be like Him.
[John 17:8-12 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 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.]
The son of perdition, these are those whom reject Christ, no matter if they reject Him outright, out of ignorance, or religion. I am sure that it thrilled Satan to no end to enter into Judas to betray Jesus, and I am sure that it gave him great joy to watch Him die on the cross, but I he had mud on his face three days later when He arose from the dead, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
This is also proof that no one who honestly and sincerely accepts Christ as their Saviour can lose their salvation, no matter how many times they fail Him with their lack of faith during those fiery trials, [John 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.]
As Jesus continues His prayer we are reminded of that fact, [John 17:13-19 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.]
Because we are sanctified through our faith alone in Christ, nothing, and I mean nothing, can separate us from Him. He knows that we are going to be hated because we are not of their world, he knows that we are going to face our own fiery trials, and He knows that we are going to fail Him sometimes. Nevertheless, before a person even asks Him to save them, He has already seen their hearts open to Him, and prays for them, literally pleading that they would receive Him. Even more amazing is that the second a person says something like, “I believe Jesus died to save me from my sins.” they are saved before they even say Amen, and He is with them forever.
[John 17:20-24 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.]
This is why Jesus had twelve witnesses (minus Judas Iscariot) as well as seventy others, including Luke, who walked with Him daily, watched Him die on the cross, and seen Him after He resurrected. They became the first missionaries to preach the Gospel, which created a ripple effect that has passed down to all of us today, [1 Corinthians 10:11-13 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.]
Now, as soon as Jesus finished praying, we know that at this point He went to back Peter, James, and John, [Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;] and woke them up, and as soon as He did, here came Judas with a band of men to arrest Him.
[John 18:1-6 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.]
Wow! Talk about two powerful words. Can you imagine the sight of seeing them all fall to the ground and what they must have thought. I think I would have just ran off at that point, but these fools did not, after they stood back up, Jesus asked them the same question.
[John 18:7-11 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?]
Why did Jesus ask them that question, even though it is recorded from Matthew, Mark, and Luke that Judas kissed Him? This was done to show them that He was not afraid of them, and that they could not have known nor have taken Him, had He not made Himself known to them. That was when Judas kissed Him and confirmed to them that He was the one they were searching for. This is where we also discover that it was Peter who cut off the ear of the one that Jesus healed, [Luke 22:50-51 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.]
This was the time that Jesus would be glorified through His suffering on the cross for His chosen, it was not the time for anyone else to be captured and die following Him. Had they been captured with Jesus and crucified with Him, it would have given a false representation of the Gospel in that all of His children would suffer and die for their faith. While many were in fact killed and are still being killed today for their faith, it is not for His chosen to die for their faith, rather to become living sacrifices, [Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.]
Jesus, came here for one purpose and that was to give His sinless body as the unblemished sacrifice needed in order for God Himself to be satisfied with the offering forever and redeem His chosen. Every single thing, from Christ’s virgin birth to His crucifixion was written in the prophecies and has come to pass exactly as it was written. Now, after they took Jesus they brought Him to Annas first.
[John 18:12-16 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.]
The other disciple is John, we may never know why he never referred to himself by name, but I am pretty sure that he did it that way because he did not want to appear as conceded. Jesus, actually had a conversation with Annas before He was sent to Caiaphas. Do not let anyone fool you into believing that they have no idea what Jesus is all about and what He teaches. They knew exactly what Jesus taught the entire time, and every bit of it was written in the Scriptures, which is why Jesus responded the way that He did.
[John 18:19-23 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?]
In other words, there was no need for them to question His doctrine because they all knew that He was in the temple teaching them. Of course, there were several false witnesses attempting to say that He had said something that went against the Law or their law, but none of them could make their accusations fit. Oh yes, they knew exactly what Jesus taught the entire time, and every bit of it was written in the Scriptures, which is why they tried to kill Jesus from the start. Nevertheless, these men were too spineless to kill Him themselves so they sent Him to the governor, Pontius Pilate, who happened to be there on business.
[John 18:24-29 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. 28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?]
Back then whenever someone was captured, they were sent to the judge right away and it did not matter what time of day it was. Notice that John does not disclose anything that Caiaphas spoke to Jesus about and the false witnesses against Him. We also see that even though they wanted to kill Jesus at that moment, they did not want to be the ones to actually do it as to not “defile” themselves being they were still observing the Passover. This is what Satan does, he is too spineless to face Jesus himself so he sends his minions to do it for him, [2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.]
We also find out more about Peter and how he denied Jesus, fiery trials of faith are not meant to decrease or even remove our faith, they are actually given to prove our faith, [2 Corinthians 13:4-6 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.]
Now, from the very start, Pilate, had no idea who Jesus was, and wanted nothing to do with this trial, but being the cowards that they were they convinced him that He was guilty and needed to be sentenced accordingly, which actually prompted Jesus to respond with an odd question.
[John 18:30-34 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?]
In other words, they are telling Pilate that Jesus needed to be judged according to the law of the land, but Pilate said to judge Him according to the Scriptures. So, apparently, they told Pilate the conversation that Caiaphas had with Jesus, [Mark 14:60-64 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.]
Do you know how many people talk about Jesus, but have no idea who He is? Ninety-nine percent of the news people get about Jesus is hearsay, never having actually read the Bible for themselves. While we do not need a Bible to know who Jesus is, we do need to understand that Jesus was never sent here to be king of any earthly kingdom, He is the KING of His chosen in His Kingdom, [Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.]
Well, that prompted Pilate to ask Jesus another question, [John 18:35-38 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.]
This is exactly why no true believer of Christ can denounce their faith, it is also why no true believer will doubt the Godhead and why Jesus does not choose everyone who claims they have faith in Him. True believers will hear the truth and accept it completely, and not just whatever they want to believe, [Romans 10:8-11 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for the great sacrifice that You made so that I might be one with You and enjoy eternal life with You. I know You have chosen me and for that reason, help me to submit solely to You, with all the joy, peace, and comfort that only comes from You who is mine. Lord, just as You are the example that I need to follow let me be the example for someone else to follow in hopes that they too can find You. And even though I must face lots of trials and persecution, I know that You are my strength to see me through. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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