Ὅτε ἤμην μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἐγὼ ἐτήρουν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου· οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐφύλαξα, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπώλετο εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας, ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ. (John 17:12)
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name; those you have given me I have guarded, and none of them has perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Divine Protection While Present
ὅτε ἤμην μετ’ αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ – “While I was with them in the world.”
- ὅτε – temporal conjunction, “when” or “while.”
- ἤμην – imperfect of εἰμί, denoting continued past presence.
- μετ’ αὐτῶν – “with them,” showing close association.
- ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ – “in the world,” distinguishing Jesus’ physical presence in contrast to the spiritual protection that will follow.
Keeping and Guarding in the Father’s Name
ἐγὼ ἐτήρουν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου – “I kept them in your name.”
- ἐτήρουν – imperfect of τηρέω, “to keep, preserve.” Indicates ongoing protection during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
- ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου – “in your name,” a Semitic expression meaning by your authority, your revealed character. It shows delegated divine responsibility.
οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐφύλαξα – “those you have given me I have guarded.”
- δέδωκάς – perfect of δίδωμι, emphasizing permanent gift.
- ἐφύλαξα – aorist of φυλάσσω, “to guard, watch over.” It intensifies τηρέω, pointing to careful vigilance.
The Sole Exception and the Fulfillment of Scripture
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπώλετο – “and none of them perished.”
- οὐδεὶς – “no one,” emphatic negation.
- ἀπώλετο – aorist of ἀπόλλυμι, “to perish, be lost.” Not accidental loss, but ultimate ruin.
εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας – “except the son of destruction.”
- εἰ μὴ – “except,” introducing the only exclusion.
- υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας – idiomatic Semitic phrase: “son of destruction” = one destined for ruin. Also used of the “man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ – “so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
- ἵνα – introduces purpose or divine necessity.
- πληρωθῇ – aorist passive subjunctive of πληρόω, “to be fulfilled.” The Scripture (likely Psalm 41:9 or Zechariah 11:12–13) foretells betrayal, thus Judas’ role is within divine foreknowledge.
Summary Table
| Greek Phrase | Translation | Form | Function / Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἐτήρουν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου | I kept them in your name | Imperfect + dative phrase | Describes protective care by divine authority |
| οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐφύλαξα | those you have given me I have guarded | Perfect + aorist | Emphasizes intentional and effective oversight |
| οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπώλετο | none of them perished | Aorist of ἀπόλλυμι | Affirms Jesus’ faithfulness in preserving his own |
| εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας | except the son of destruction | Idiomatic noun phrase | Refers to Judas as one destined for loss |
| ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ | so that the Scripture might be fulfilled | Purpose clause | Expresses divine orchestration and prophecy |
Fulfillment in Loss
The Greek of John 17:12 weaves the language of care, betrayal, and fulfillment into one coherent thought. With verbal precision and theological depth, Jesus affirms that not one of his own was lost except the one foretold. The vocabulary of protection and prophecy underscores both divine sovereignty and tragic human agency.
