Jesus begins His prayer, as was His manner, in "LIFTING UP HIS EYES." Here, John records, some 50+ years later, a scene etched into his memory, recalled by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of all Scripture. It is self-serving to say that what follows is the mere overactive imagination of an old man's fertile mind putting words into the mouth of our Lord, in explaining how John could be so precise in the recording of these 623 words of Jesus' Prayer; nor are we to suppose it was something on this order.

When John writes "THESE WORDS SPAKE JESUS," even these are Inspired Scripture, as much as our Lord's own words (His Written Word by another, as valid as His spoken Word while Incarnate). Therefore, if the Inspired Word of God says these were His Words, then in fact, they are, whether written by John or spoken by Jesus, or else the Holy Spirit is a liar, to which we know to be absurd! As a result, I, for one, have no problem accepting that the Holy Spirit through, yes, a fertile and clear mind of the beloved disciple, no matter the years passed, had penned for the benefit of all generations to follow, Christ's Prayer prayed for His disciples.

"HOUR IS COME" = hora, a precise point in time associated with purpose, first introduced at His Inaugural Miracle in Cana, now upon Him, His work finished, save the Cross, but in His mind already committed to it. He has been obedient to the Father's will, faithful to the end. Indicated in His confessions of "I HAVE," His faithfulness can be seen in at least 4 major areas:

d.	In preserving those chosen and sent to Him by the Father (except one, but that had its purpose in fulfilling Scripture). A part of His success in deterring Satan from defeating His mission.

And in all these, rendering glory to the Father, now ready to bring final glory, through His death, to the Father, and receiving glory of the Father. "GLORIFY" = doxazo, clearly meaning, "His death," as so stated in 13:31-32, speaking to His disciples about His departure. (For a wonderful personal study, examine all Jesus' written words: "I HAVE," and "I WILL" found in the Gospels.)

There will be many purpose clauses found throughout the Prayer. See them as prefaced by "THAT," thus giving unmistakable reason for His petitionary utterances:

His Power was given for the purpose of imparting Life Eternal to all who came to Him, given to Him from the Father: stated both here and at the outset of John's words. This Power will be passed on at Pentecost for the same purpose (giving authority to become sons). This is but one of many striking assertions Jesus will make about Himself, no longer hidden in parables, but clearly revealed to His cleansed and sanctified disciples now being prepared to assume His mission from the Father, as He returns to the Father.

Some interpreters see this verse as a parenthetical expression of John, with vs.2 resuming in vs.4. Whichever the case, life eternal is defined here by our Lord Himself as simply "KNOWING" = ginoskosin, meaning, continued knowing God through Jesus Christ. Knowing the Father through His Son.

Here, Jesus is completely confident in His completed mission, ready now to step from His footstool of Earth back onto His throne in heaven. It is odd that even today many see the Cross as a failure of this Messiah, but Satan knows different! Jesus did not die a broken man, but a confident Saviour, taking unto Himself the penalty and punishment of mankind's sin to restore all to the Father.

"BEFORE THE WORLD WAS" Again Jesus makes another bold assertion as to His Deity and Preexistence. Had the Pharisees overheard these words, they surely would have seized and stoned Him immediately. Here, Jesus is making specific request for readmittance into His glory once held. Nothing was ever presumed by Him, always asking of the Father in accordance with His known will. (Praying the Father's will -- this is: not asking amiss.)