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Easter Season · Year C

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 28, 2028

La Priere Sacerdotale (The Priestly Prayer), Eugene Burnand
La Priere Sacerdotale (The Priestly Prayer), Eugene Burnand, early 20th centuryWikimedia Commons
A Swiss painter best known for the disciples running to the tomb, here painting the prayer in the upper room with the faces doing the work.I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.Eugene BurnandA Swiss painter whose Disciples Running to the Tomb is among the most reproduced religious paintings of its century.Wikimedia CommonsNo holding institution is recorded with the image; it is known from the public domain reproduction.Wikimedia Commons
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 17:20-26Jn 17:20-26
EpistleRev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Old TestamentActs 16:16-34
PsalterPs. 97Ps 97

Overview & Insights

"That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you." (John 17:21)

In the closing lines of his farewell prayer, Jesus prays not only for the disciples at the table but for everyone who will come to believe through their word, asking that they share the same oneness he has with the Father. He ends by naming the love that has always existed between Father and Son and asking that it now indwell his followers.

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Take it further: John 17:20-26

Commentary

Commentary on John 17:20-26Commentary on Jn 17:20-26 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary scholar reads Jesus' prayer for future believers as the theological center of the Farewell Discourse.

John 17:20-26 CommentaryJn 17:20-26 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary ties the prayer's unity to the love shared within the Trinity.

Enduring Word Commentary, John 17Enduring Word Commentary, Jn 17 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik works verse by verse through Jesus' prayer for himself, his disciples, and future believers.

John 17:24 CommentariesJn 17:24 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic aggregator stacking Matthew Henry, Pulpit, Ellicott, and others on Jesus' wish that his own see his glory.

John 17 CommentaryJn 17 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse evangelical study of the high priestly prayer with word notes on glory, oneness, and love.

So the World May Believe, Easter 7 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

Episcopal sermon reads the church's visible unity as the evidence the world needs to believe.

Background & Word Study

Overview: John 13-21Overview: Jn 13-21 BibleProject

Animated overview of the second half of John situates the Farewell Discourse and high priestly prayer.

John 17:24 InterlinearJn 17:24 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word study of Jesus' request that his followers behold his glory, keyed to the verb theoreo.

The Church Fathers

Catena on John 17Catena on Jn 17 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment chain gathering how the early church read Jesus' prayer for unity and glory.

Worship & Prayers

Easter 7, Year C The Lectionary Page

Full set of appointed readings with the day's collect for use in planning worship.

Podcast

SB482, Seventh Sunday of Easter Working Preacher

Luther Seminary faculty talk through all four texts for the Sunday, including the prayer for unity.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary art index, Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C) Vanderbilt

Curated fine art and image links keyed to this Sunday's readings across the tradition.

Study Hub

Easter 7, Year C Textweek

Master index of commentary, worship, and art links for every reading appointed this Sunday.

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