John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights that eternal life isn't just unending existence, but a deep, relational "knowing" of God. It’s not merely intellectual assent, but an intimate recognition that sets the Father apart from all false gods and reveals His truth uniquely through Jesus, whom He sent.
Jesus is praying before his crucifixion, entrusting his disciples and all future believers to the Father's care. He acknowledges that the time of his suffering and glorification has arrived, and he defines the very essence of eternal life as intimate knowledge of the one true God and of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. This prayer solidifies that this profound relationship with God, made possible through Jesus, is the ultimate purpose and outcome of His mission.
Jesus declares that eternal life isn't a future destination, but a present reality. So, what does it actually mean to 'know' God in a way that brings life?
In John 17:3, Jesus reveals that eternal life isn't just about living forever; it's about a deep, intimate relationship with God.
Beyond Acquaintance
The Greek word Jesus uses, 'ginosko,' goes beyond simply knowing facts about someone. It implies a profound, experiential knowledge – like recognizing, understanding, and relating to someone personally.
The True God vs. Idols
Jesus emphasizes knowing 'the only true God.' This was a direct contrast to the pagan world filled with countless false gods. It means recognizing God as the one and only, the source of all reality and truth.
Life as Relationship
This isn't a static knowledge, but a dynamic, ongoing relationship. It's through this intimate connection with the true God that we truly begin to live, not just exist.
Jesus places knowing Him right alongside knowing God the Father. Why is Jesus the key to knowing the one true God?
Jesus doesn't just point us to God; He embodies God for us. He is the divine connection that makes knowing the Father possible and real.
The Sent One
Jesus is identified as 'Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.' This phrase is crucial. It means Jesus came with the Father's full authority and purpose. He isn't just a messenger; He is the Father revealed.
The Unique Revelation
As scholars note, the Father is presented as the 'only true God.' However, this doesn't exclude Jesus' divinity. Instead, it highlights that the only way to truly know the Father is through Jesus. He is the perfect image and representative of God.
Understand the original words
ginōskō · Greek Verb
In a biblical sense, this denotes an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge, far exceeding mere intellectual awareness or accumulation of facts.
apostellō · Greek Verb (participle)
The one who has been dispatched by the Father with divine authorization to act as His representative and the sole mediator of salvation.
This passage directly states that Jesus Christ is the 'true God,' which strongly supports John 17:3's emphasis on knowing the 'only true God' and Jesus Christ as intrinsically linked to eternal life.
1 John 4:9This verse explains that God's love was revealed by sending His only Son into the world, echoing John 17:3's mention of Jesus Christ whom the Father 'has sent' as central to knowing God.
Hosea 6:6This Old Testament verse highlights that God desires steadfast love and knowledge of Him over burnt offerings, mirroring John 17:3's assertion that knowing God is the essence of eternal life.
Jeremiah 24:7This prophecy states that God will give His people 'a heart to know that I am the Lord,' underscoring the idea that true knowledge of God is a divine gift essential for life, as implied in John 17:3.
John 1:14This verse describes Jesus as 'full of grace and truth' and the 'only begotten' from the Father, reinforcing the identity of Jesus Christ as the unique revealer of the true God mentioned in John 17:3.
cambridgeJohn 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
3 . And this is life eternal ] More exactly, But the life eternal is this . ‘ The life eternal’ means that which has just been mentioned; and ‘is this’ means ‘this is what it consists in:’ comp. John 3:19 , John 15:12 . that they might know ] Literally, in order that they may recognise ; comp. John 6:29 , John 15:12 ; 1 John 3:11 ; 1 John 3:23 ; 1 John 5:3 ; 2 John 1:6 . Th…
jfbJohn 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
- this is—that.life eternal, that they might—may.know, &c.—This life eternal, then, is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of acquaintance with God in Christ (Job 22:21).thee, the only true God—the sole personal living God; in glorious contrast equally with heathen polytheism, philosophic naturalism, and mystic pantheism.and Jesus Christ whom thou hast se…
This verse highlights that eternal life isn't just unending existence, but a deep, relational "knowing" of God. It’s not merely intellectual assent, but an intimate recognition that sets the Father apart from all false gods and reveals His truth uniquely through Jesus, whom He sent.
Jesus is praying before his crucifixion, entrusting his disciples and all future believers to the Father's care. He acknowledges that the time of his suffering and glorification has arrived, and he defines the very essence of eternal life as intimate knowledge of the one true God and of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. This prayer solidifies that this profound relationship with God, made possible through Jesus, is the ultimate purpose and outcome of His mission.
Jesus is praying before his crucifixion, entrusting his disciples and all future believers to the Father's care. He acknowledges that the time of his suffering and glorification has arrived, and he defines the very essence of eternal life as intimate knowledge of the one true God and of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. This prayer solidifies that this profound relationship with God, made possible through Jesus, is the ultimate purpose and outcome of His mission.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 17:3 is available in the Sola app.
Knowing God Through Jesus' Mission
When we know Jesus – who He is, what He did, and His divine authority – we are simultaneously coming to know the Father. His mission was to make God known to us in a way we could grasp and receive.
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." — This verse highlights that eternal life isn't just unending existence, but a deep, relational "knowing" of God. It’s not merely intellectual assent, but an intimate recognition that sets the Father a…
