“That They also Might Be [One] in Us”

Abstract

In John 17:20–21 Jesus prays for the unity of his followers, but the nature of that unity hinges on a textual variant. The text reads: “that they also might be in us.” The variant adds one word: “that they also might be one in us.” The manuscripts are closely divided. This decision must be made on internal evidence. If the number “one” is original, Jesus prays that his followers might enjoy unity with one another that is modeled after and/or enabled by the unity of the Son and Father. This is more in keeping with the immediate context and with Johannine theology in general. John’s Gospel repeatedly affirms the oneness of Jesus and his disciples, but it refrains from affirming the oneness of the Father and believers. The longer text yields the reading that was most likely original.