John 17:5 is often treated as a proof text for the literal preexistence of Jesus and even for the Trinity (the one God = three Persons). In reality, if it proved anything along those lines, it would more naturally suggest a kind of binitarianism—two co-equal, co-eternal beings—rather than the later, fully developed Trinity doctrine.

It is also noteworthy that some manuscripts read, “the glory which was with you,” whereas later church fathers preferred, “by which I was with you,” subtly steering the reader toward the idea of the Son’s personal, literal presence with the Father before creation.

The language in John 17:5 is best understood as an example of the prophetic past tense. Scripture frequently speaks of future events as though they were already accomplished, because they are certain in God’s plan. A possible paraphrase of John 17:5, from this prophetic perspective, would be:

“Father, glorify your only unique Son now [in fact and in person] with the glory that I had with you [in faith and in prophecy] from before creation itself, because you have always loved me.”

Similar examples abound. In John 13:31, Jesus says:

“The Son of Man has been glorified.”

This clearly anticipates what is about to happen, mainly his resurrection from the dead and not a completed past event. Likewise, Christians are said to have already been glorified in passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:11 and Romans 8:30, even though in actuality our glorification is still future.

Jesus is not asking to return to a position he once literally relinquished, but to enter into a position he has not previously occupied with the Father, i.e., at His right hand (Psalm 110:1). The expression “to have with God” (para theō) reflects a common Hebrew idiom meaning to have something laid up, promised, and reserved with God for the future—as a reward awaiting fulfillment. This is how Jesus uses similar language in Matthew 6:1–2, where the reward is “with” the Father. Compare also Isaiah 49:4:

“The justice due to me is with the LORD, and my reward with my God,” and 2 Corinthians 5:1: “We have a building from God…”

In both cases, what is “had” is not yet possessed in reality, but is secure with God for the future.

Therefore, John 17:5 does not teach that Jesus literally preexisted his “origin” by “procreation” in the womb (genesis, gennao, Matt. 1:18–20; cp. Luke 1:30–35), in some heavenly status with the Father that he at one point left. Rather, Jesus speaks of the glory and reward surely destined for him in God’s plan from before the foundation of the world—now about to be realized as the Father exalts His obedient Son to His own right hand for the very first time. As Jesus himself says to Mary after his resurrection:

“Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17)