Devine Scripture

John 17:3

What does John 17:3 mean?

A plain-English look at John 17:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 17:3 means

Jesus defines eternal life not merely as unending existence, but as a deep, personal, and saving knowledge of God the Father as the only true God, and of Jesus Christ as the one sent by Him. This knowledge is not intellectual assent alone, but a relational intimacy and recognition of their unique identities and saving roles. Consequently, eternal life begins in the present as one comes to truly know God through Christ, and it extends into eternity, marked by ongoing communion with the divine.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And this is eternal life: to have knowledge of you, the only true God, and of him whom you have sent, even Jesus Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and this is the life age-during, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and him whom Thou didst send--Jesus Christ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And this is the eternal life, that they should know thee, the only trueGod, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial theological clarification, defining the very essence of the "eternal life" mentioned in the previous verse. It moves beyond a simple understanding of eternal life as longevity, grounding it in a relationship. This definition prepares the reader for Jesus' subsequent prayers, revealing the ultimate goal and content of His intercession for His disciples' spiritual well-being.

v.2even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life.

v.3This passage

v.4I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:44

    How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?

  • Isaiah 61:1

    The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

  • John 5:36

    But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.

  • 1 Timothy 6:15

    which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

  • John 6:27

    Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.

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