What Does John 17:19 Mean in the King James?

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

John 17:19 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Jesus’ setting himself apart is for others’ sake, and their setting apart comes through truth.

THE MEANING

Jesus sets himself apart for the sake of others, and your setting-apart reaches you through truth. Consecration here is relational: his self-giving opens the way, and truth carries that work into you.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the idea that being set apart means withdrawing from people: Jesus’ consecration is explicitly for their sake.

THE ROOT

ἁγιάζω

hagiazō

GROWS FROM

ἁγι-

hagi-

set apart; dedicate to God

“sanctify” in this verse is hagiazō. The Greek word family carries the sense of setting something apart for God. Jesus’ setting apart is explicitly “for their sakes,” and the same verb describes what truth does in them: consecration moves outward in service.

ALSO GROWS

hagios: set apart

ἅγιος

This adjective shows the shared root’s core idea: what is set apart belongs to God.

hagiasmos: setting apart; consecration

ἁγιασμός

This noun names the same movement that Jesus undergoes and that his followers receive through truth.

THE PATTERN

Setting apart is God’s work, received through truth and expressed in a life dedicated for others.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:17 · KJVThe same verb connects setting apart directly with truth.

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Exodus 31:13 · KJVGod is named as the one who sets the people apart.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10 · KJVSetting apart comes through Jesus’ self-offering, echoing his words that he sets himself apart for others.

THE THREAD

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:17 · KJV

The same Greek verb for “sanctify” appears here and in the verse before it, where truth is named as the means of their setting apart. Verse 19 then shows Jesus’ own consecration for them as part of that movement.

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