THE prayer breathes the spirit which in the preceding conversation Jesus had counselled his disciples to maintain. He had said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Now the note of cheer and confidence of victory pervades his spoken approaches to the Father. It was spoken intentionally in the hearing of the disciples, and therefore we may conclude for their benefit as well as for himself. Its preservation here is for others also, and all who have faith and understanding of the apostolic teaching in this day may stand with the eleven apostles and feel the touching appeal of the Saviour for them.

JOHN CARTER, The Gospel of John page 189