John 17:5

And now, Father, glorify me at your side ¹  with the glory I had with you before the world was created. ² 

Pr 8:22-31; Mt 25:34; Joh 1:1-3; Joh 1:18; Joh 3:13; Joh 10:30; Joh 14:9; Joh 17:24; Php 2:6; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:3,10; 1Pe 1:20; 1Jo 1:2; Re 5:9-14; Re 13:8

¹ tn Or “in your presence”; Grk “with yourself.” The use of παρά (para) twice in this verse looks back to the assertion in John 1:1 that the Word (the Λόγος [Logos], who became Jesus of Nazareth in 1:14) was with God (πρὸς τὸν θεόν, pro" ton qeon). Whatever else may be said, the statement in 17:5 strongly asserts the preexistence of Jesus Christ.

² tn Grk “before the world was.” The word “created” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

sn It is important to note that although Jesus prayed for a return to the glory he had at the Father’s side before the world was created, he was not praying for a “de-incarnation.” His humanity which he took on at the incarnation (John 1:14) remains, though now glorified.