John 17:13
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Cross-references
John 17:1 opens Jesus' prayer with a request for glorification; here he speaks so his joy may be fulfilled—both part of the same prayer.
John 3:29 has John the Baptist's joy complete at the bridegroom's voice—similar to Jesus' joy being fulfilled in believers here.
John 13:3 states Jesus knew he came from God and was returning—matching 'I am coming to you' in this verse.
John 15:11 uses nearly identical language: 'that my joy may be in you and your joy full'—clear parallel to this verse.
In John 16:22-24, Jesus promises sorrow will turn to joy and asking will make their joy full — directly paralleling the complete joy here.
In John 7:33, Jesus says he is going to the one who sent him — the same departure he speaks of in this prayer.
In John 13:1, Jesus' hour to depart to the Father is announced — the immediate context of this prayer.
In John 16:5, Jesus states he is going to the Father — directly parallel to his prayer here.
In John 16:28, Jesus explicitly says he is leaving the world and going to the Father — the same movement as in this prayer.
In John 16:16, Jesus speaks of his departure and return, and the disciples' sorrow turning to joy — echoing the joy he prays for.
In John 16:33, Jesus says he speaks these things for peace and overcoming the world — a parallel purpose statement, though joy is not mentioned.
Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him—paralleling Jesus' desire for his joy to be fulfilled in disciples.
1 John 1:4 states that the writing is so that their joy may be complete — directly echoing Jesus' purpose of complete joy in his disciples.
2 John 1:12 expresses hope for face-to-face meeting so that joy may be complete — a very similar phrase to Jesus' own goal for joy.
In Mark 16:19, Jesus is taken up into heaven — the very event he refers to in praying 'I come to you'.
Acts 13:52 describes disciples filled with joy through the Holy Spirit — a later fulfillment of the joy Jesus desired for them.