John 17:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Eternal life is intimate knowledge of God the Father and trust in Jesus as the sent one.
The Context of John 17:3
Jesus explains the nature of eternal life within his prayer for the disciples, clarifying what the Father will give through him.
What Does John 17:3 Mean?
Here Jesus defines what eternal life actually is. Not a distant, abstract state but a living relationship: to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. The word 'know' here is not mere information but intimate communion, the kind of knowing that transforms us. It is personal and dynamic, deepening through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Jesus is not separate from this knowledge but central to it. To know God truly is to know him as Father, through and in Jesus.
We often think of eternal life as something that begins after death, but Jesus roots it in the present reality of knowing him now. Every prayer, every moment of trust, every time we turn to Scripture and find him there, we are living eternal life. The boundary between earthly and heavenly life blurs. What begins now continues forever.
John 17:3 in the Original Language
ginōskō (Greek), 'to know' -- intimate knowledge, relationship, and understanding that goes beyond facts to transform the knower.
Where John 17:3 Echoes in Scripture
John 14:6 states Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; 1 John 5:20 affirms that we have eternal life through knowing the true God through Jesus Christ.
How to Apply John 17:3 Today
Deepen your knowledge of God and Christ through regular prayer, Bible reading, and reflection. Eternal life is not deferred to the future but is happening now as you grow in relationship with the Father through Jesus.