And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
JOHN 17:3KJVWhat does John 17:3 mean?
John 17:3 says that eternal life is not just about living forever, but about truly knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom God has sent. According to this verse, the heart of eternal life is a real, personal relationship with God and with Jesus.
In this scene, Jesus is praying to God the Father on the night before his crucifixion, speaking openly about what matters most. Jesus defines "eternal life" not as a future reward, but as something rooted in knowing—having a deep, ongoing connection with—God and himself. This verse highlights the central role of relationship, rather than just knowledge or belief, in what Jesus describes as eternal life.
The Greek behind John 17:3
- The Greek word "γινώσκω" (ginōskō, "know") often means more than just intellectual knowledge; it carries the sense of personal experience or relationship. Here, it points to a living, ongoing connection with God and Jesus, not just knowing facts about them.
- The phrase "μόνος ἀληθινός θεός" (monos alēthinos theos, "the only true God") emphasizes exclusivity—Jesus is saying there is one genuine God, not many, and he is addressing him directly.
- The word "ζωὴ αἰώνιος" (zōē aiōnios, "life eternal") refers to a quality of life that is both unending and deeply connected to God, not just endless existence.
Why John 17:3 matters
- John 17:3 clarifies that eternal life, according to Jesus, is not just about duration but about relationship—knowing God and Jesus personally.
- This verse helps correct the common misunderstanding that eternal life is only about what happens after death, showing instead that it begins with knowing God here and now.
- In the context of Jesus' prayer, John 17:3 reveals what Jesus himself sees as central to his mission: making it possible for people to know God truly through him.