What It Means for Jesus to Be Glorified
In the Bible, “glory” often refers to the visible weight, honor, and radiance of God. To say Jesus is glorified is to say that his true honor is shown and recognized. The New Testament uses the language in more than one way: Jesus shares glory with the Father, his glory is displayed through his actions, and God raises him to honor after his death. Believers also glorify him by honoring him. Christians have different ways of explaining how these fit together, so this article describes the main passages rather than a single formula.
Glory Before the World Began (John 17:5)
In his prayer in John 17, Jesus says, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (KJV). Many readers take this to refer to Jesus’ pre-existence with the Father, as in John 1:1-14, where the Word became flesh and “we beheld his glory.” Traditions that hold the Nicene Creed read this as a statement of shared divine glory.
The Hour of Glory: The Cross in John
John’s Gospel uses “glorified” in a surprising way. In John 12:23, as the cross approaches, Jesus says, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified” (KJV). In John 13:31, after Judas leaves to betray him, he says the Son of Man is now glorified, and God is glorified in him. In John, the cross is part of the glory, not only a path to it. John 7:39 also says the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. Interpreters differ on how closely to tie glorification to the cross alone, or to the cross, resurrection, and ascension together.
Resurrection and Ascension
Other New Testament passages place glorification after his death:
- Luke 24:26. The risen Jesus says the Christ had to suffer and then enter into his glory.
- Acts 3:13. Peter says God glorified his servant Jesus.
- Acts 2:33. Jesus is exalted to the right hand of God.
- 1 Timothy 3:16. He was “received up into glory.”
- 1 Peter 1:21. God raised him from the dead and gave him glory.
See also our article on exaltation in the Bible, which looks at the related word for being lifted up.
The Transfiguration
In Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36, Jesus is transfigured on a mountain before Peter, James, and John. His face shines and his clothes become dazzling. Peter later refers to this as seeing his majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18). Many readers treat it as a preview of his glory.
Philippians 2:9-11
Paul describes Christ humbling himself to death on a cross, and then writes: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (KJV). Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, “to the glory of God the Father.” This passage shows that honoring Jesus and honoring the Father go together.
The Glorified Christ in Revelation
Revelation 1:12-18 describes John’s vision of Christ with white hair, eyes like fire, and a face like the sun shining at full strength. John falls at his feet as though dead, and Jesus tells him not to be afraid. (For a guided walk through the book, see Revelation Bible study for youth.) In Revelation 5:12 a great crowd says the Lamb is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. Interpreters differ about how literally to take the imagery, though many agree it points to Christ’s majesty.
When Did Jesus Become Glorified? Differing Emphases
Readers often ask when Jesus became glorified. The short answer is that the New Testament speaks of it in several ways:
- John emphasizes the cross as the hour of glory.
- Luke-Acts emphasizes the resurrection and ascension.
- Paul emphasizes exaltation after humiliation (Philippians 2).
- John 17:5 points to glory shared before creation.
Many Christians hold these together: Jesus has always had divine glory, was shown to be glorious in his obedience and death, and was raised and exalted to a place of honor. Other traditions or scholars place the emphasis differently.
How Can Jesus Be Glorified Today?
Jesus says in John 17:10 that he is glorified in his disciples. Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:12 that the name of Jesus will be glorified in believers. Practically, Christians understand this to include:
- worship and thanksgiving (see Bible verses about praising God)
- obedience and love (John 15:8)
- sharing the gospel
- lives that reflect his character
Verses That Say to Glorify Jesus
Strictly speaking, few verses command “glorify Jesus” in those words. Instead, the Bible shows him receiving glory (Revelation 5:12), speaks of his name being glorified (2 Thessalonians 1:12), and says to honor the Son as the Father (John 5:23). Romans 15:6 calls believers to glorify “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Questions for Study
- Why does John link glory with the cross?
- How does Philippians 2 shape what humility looks like?
- What would it mean for your community to glorify Jesus together?
For more on his love, see Bible verses on Jesus’ love.