John 17:16-19 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They are not of the world,— "It is with great pleasure that I reflect on their being separated from the world, both in principles and practice, and that in this respect they so nearly resemble me. Hence I am the more solicitous that they be preserved untainted and blameless after my departure; wherefore I pray, that, through the influence of thy truth upon their minds, thou wouldst give them such a strong inclination to the work of the ministry, that they may wholly devote themselves to it, to whatever difficulties it may expose them. Do this, I beseech thee, for the effectual spreading of thy word, which I have commissioned them to preach as the truth itself. I beseech thee, sanctify them by thy truth, John 17:17-18 because I have sent them into the world, to prosecute that great and glorious design upon which thou sentest me into the world." Dr. Whitby would translate the original of John 17:17 sanctify them for thy truth, that is, for the propagation of it. To sanctify imports not only to make holy in the moral sense, but "to dedicate and set apart for religious uses." Thus the word is used often in the Old Testament, and this sense the connection directs us to put upon it here; though, at the same time, it must be acknowledged, that, when we consider the passage separately, the common sense is extremely just, the word of God, which itself is truth, being the great means of the sanctification of men. Our Lord goes on, John 17:19. And for their sakes, &c. "One grand point which I had in view when I entered on my ministry was, that my apostles might be prepared for the work of the ministry, by the truths I was to teach, and by the miracles I was to perform before them in the course of my ministry. It is likewise one of the ends for which I now devote myself to death, as a victim to be sacrificed, (though the making of an atonement for the sins of the world is infinitely the chief,) inasmuch as the doctrines I have taught them, and which they are to teach, being thus sealed with my blood, will be offered to the world with the strongest evidence; not to mention that my resurrection from the dead will be a most strong proof, first of my divine mission from thee, and next of theirs who act by authority from me." Our Lord's words, in this verse, may perhaps be more fully and strongly expressed thus: "I devote myself as a victim, to be sacrificed for their sakes, for this end among others still more glorious, that they also, taught by my example, and animated by my dying love, may be confirmed in their faith, rendered more holy in their conduct, and be found ready to sacrifice their lives also for the truth."