17:1 spake Jesus. The words of Christ in John 14–16 are often called “the discourse in the upper room,” but over half of it was delivered as He and the disciples were walking toward Gethsemane (note the final clause in John 14:31—”Arise, let us go hence”). Likewise the Lord’s “high priestly prayer,” recorded in John 17, was offered outdoors, at night, as He raised His eyes toward the stars of heaven. His hour had finally come—the very hour for which He had come into the world (John 12:27; 13:1). This was the last time He would refer to this appointed hour (the first time was at Cana; see John 2:4).