Event · New Testament

The farewell discourse

Also known as The Upper Room discourse, The high priestly prayer

After Judas left, Jesus spoke at length with the eleven. He gave them a new commandment to love one another, promised the Holy Spirit as another Advocate, described Himself as the true vine, warned of the world's hatred, and prayed to the Father for Himself, for His disciples, and for all who would believe through their word.

Why it matters. These are the fullest words Jesus gives about the Spirit, the church, and His unity with the Father, spoken on the eve of His death and shaping how the church has understood it ever since.

Primary passages

• John 14:1-6
• John 17:1-5

Dates

AD 30 to 33 (approximate) (medium confidence, Passover week of the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate; AD 30 and AD 33 are the leading proposals)

The event belongs to the final week before the crucifixion, which is dated to AD 30 or AD 33 on calendrical grounds. FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.

Witnesses

• John 13:31-17:26

Chronology confidence: high

Recorded by John alone, after Judas leaves the supper. It runs from the new commandment through the promises of the Spirit, the vine, and the prayer of John 17, and ends as Jesus goes out to the garden.

Last reviewed

2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team