Thank you for the Biblical and theological question on the glory of Jesus, “In John 17:24, how does being dependent on the Father for glory make the Son equal to the Father?”
The observation of the text is a great one and the question is a very relevant one. The deity of Jesus Christ has been debated in the early church, during the Protestant Reformation, and even today in modern theologians.
In sharing my answer, I want readers to know that my answer does not represent other Christians or other . This is my understanding of the Scriptures. To answer that question, I suggest reading the Gospel of John and see how the Apostle John addresses the glory of Jesus. Here are some verses that relates to the glory of the Son of God before one looks into this passage. Context is significant. I list some verses for the background to the question.
A. John 1:14,18 says this, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are in the New International Version.
B. John 8 says this, “Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad” (NIV).
C. John 17 says this, “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (NIV).
D. John 17 says this, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (NIV).
As one looks at some of the verses on glory, there are two likely interpretations to John 17:24. The interpretations are as follows:
- The first interpretation is that Jesus is inferior to the Father since he did not have the same glory of the Father. The emphasis is that the glory you gave to me.
- The second interpretation is that Jesus is the affirmation of Jesus had with the Father before the creation of the world. It was the Father’s plan that the son would condescend to be a man whereby his glory would be veiled. The pray of Jesus is for his followers that they may be with him and see the fullness of his glory as the Son of God for his submission to the Father. The glory that the Father is giving to the Son is his honoring him before all creation for his condescension and death for redeemed mankind. The world does not see Jesus glorified but as a lowly servant of the Lord. One day they will see him in all his majesty and glory and will acknowledge that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 2 says this, “ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (NIV).
That is the plan of God that all creation will or shall bow at the name of Jesus. It is not that Jesus was inferior and that God elevate him, but rather he condescended and trusted God to elevate him back to the position and glory that he had before creation. This is humility of the Son of God. He didn’t insist on his right, but yielded that as a God-man on earth.
SUMMARY: The Son didn’t depend on the Father for glory but waited upon the Father to reveal his glory that he had with the Father before creation.
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