UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Friday, April 04, 2025

Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

$5.00

What Does It Truly Mean to Know God and Jesus Christ According to John 17:3?

Eternal Life Is Rooted in a Relationship of Obedience and Knowledge

In John 17:3, during Jesus’ prayer to the Father before his arrest, he said, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” This verse provides a foundational definition of eternal life—not as an abstract, future reward, but as a present and ongoing condition rooted in knowing both Jehovah and Jesus. The Greek word for “know” here is γινώσκωσιν (ginōskōsin), a term that denotes experiential, relational knowledge, not merely intellectual awareness. To “know” Jehovah in the biblical sense means to live in faithful obedience to His will, understanding His nature, character, and purpose as revealed in His inspired Word. This is not mystical or emotional familiarity, but scripturally grounded knowledge that transforms a person’s life through consistent obedience.

Eternal life, as defined by Jesus himself, is not inherited through ancestry, ritual, or even good intentions. It is contingent upon a deep, personal acquaintance with Jehovah as the only true God. The phrase “the only true God” directly contradicts the idea of co-equal or multiple divine persons, underscoring the singularity of Jehovah as the exclusive object of worship. In the context of first-century Judaism, and especially among Jesus’ disciples, the identity of Jehovah as the God of Israel was firmly established (Deuteronomy 6:4), and Jesus reinforced that understanding by distinguishing himself as “the one you have sent.” Jesus was not identifying himself as God but as God’s agent, the Messiah who carried out the divine mission. This statement affirms the difference in role and identity between Jehovah and Jesus, while also expressing the inseparable connection between knowing the Father and accepting the Son.

Jesus’ words in John 17:3 are consistent with his overall message throughout the Gospel of John. Earlier, in John 14:28, Jesus stated, “The Father is greater than I,” confirming his subordinate position to Jehovah. Similarly, in John 5:30, he declared, “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of him who sent me.” This constant affirmation of submission further supports the teaching that eternal life comes through knowing Jehovah as sovereign and Jesus as His obedient, commissioned servant.

Knowledge of God Requires a Diligent and Submissive Mindset

To truly “know” Jehovah and Jesus is not a matter of vague spiritual feeling but of diligent study, moral alignment, and submission to divine authority. Proverbs 2:4-6 explains the pursuit of God’s knowledge this way: “If you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of Jehovah and discover the knowledge of God. For Jehovah gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Jehovah’s wisdom is not found through intuition or human speculation but through His spoken Word. This directly contrasts with the popular belief that one can “feel” their way to spiritual truth. Jesus did not promise the indwelling of the Spirit to all believers but spoke specifically to the apostles about their future guidance (John 14:26; 16:13). Understanding comes not through spiritual osmosis but through immersion in Scripture.

The prophet Hosea echoed the importance of knowledge in Hosea 4:6 when he wrote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Here, knowledge is not academic data but covenant awareness—an understanding of Jehovah’s expectations, commands, and character. The Hebrew word used is דַּעַת (daʿat), denoting thoughtful recognition and practical application. Knowing God is synonymous with living according to His will. It is no accident that John 17:3 is situated within a prayer that constantly refers to obedience, unity, and sanctification through truth (John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.“).

It is also important to note that in John 17:3, Jesus does not mention emotional experiences, personal visions, or feelings as the path to eternal life. His definition of knowing God is grounded in relational fidelity and correct doctrine, not mystical encounter. The unity between Father and Son is not ontological but purpose-driven, rooted in shared truth and mission (John 17:8: “because the words that you gave me, I have given them“). Believers are called into that same unity not by mystical union but by shared obedience to the revealed Word.

Knowing Jesus as the One Sent by God

The second part of John 17:3 specifies that eternal life includes knowing “the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” The phrase “have sent” is translated from the Greek ἀπέστειλας (apesteilas), indicating commission and purpose. Jesus did not send himself but was sent by Jehovah, confirming his subordinate and delegated authority. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes repeated reference to this commission: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). This obedience to divine mission forms the foundation for understanding who Jesus is—God’s anointed one, the Messiah, not God Himself.

In understanding Jesus as “the one you have sent,” we are reminded of Old Testament anticipations of the Messiah, particularly passages like Deuteronomy 18:18, where Jehovah promises, “I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, like you, and I will put my words in his mouth.” Jesus fulfills this role, speaking the exact words Jehovah gave him. John 12:49 echoes this fulfillment: “For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said.” Therefore, knowledge of Jesus as the Christ is integrally connected to knowing the Father, but it does not blur the line between the two. Jesus is not to be equated with Jehovah but acknowledged as His faithful servant and revealer.

The apostle Peter reinforced this in Acts 2:36 when he declared to the Jewish audience at Pentecost, “Let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Peter does not proclaim Jesus as God, but as the one whom God has appointed. This further aligns with John 17:3, in which Jesus highlights his sent status, rather than claiming intrinsic deity.

The Practical Impact of Knowing God and Christ

The knowledge Jesus speaks of in John 17:3 is not an abstract theological concept; it has practical, transformative implications. A person who truly knows Jehovah and Christ will walk in righteousness, humility, and faithfulness. 1 John 2:3 states, “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands.” The evidence of knowing God is found in obedience. The knowledge of God is not theoretical; it manifests in conduct. That is why Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Knowing God is not merely acknowledging Him but submitting to His rule.

The same principle appears in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, which describes divine judgment on “those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Notice the parallel: those who do not know and those who do not obey are treated identically. In Scripture, knowing is inseparable from obeying. One cannot know Jehovah without obeying Him, nor know Christ without following his teachings.

This obedience-driven relationship is not burdensome. As 1 John 5:3 declares, “For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden.” When one truly knows Jehovah, obedience flows naturally, not begrudgingly. The commandments are not mere regulations but expressions of divine wisdom and goodness. Knowledge and love of God are expressed through faithful application of His revealed will in daily life.

A Closing Exhortation

John 17:3 stands as one of the most concise yet profound declarations in all of Scripture. It defines eternal life not by religious ritual, emotional experience, or denominational affiliation, but by knowing—through obedient relationship—Jehovah, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, His sent one. This knowledge is grounded in Scripture, shaped by truth, and proven through faithfulness. May we pursue that knowledge with diligence, humility, and unwavering commitment, not seeking mystical experiences or spiritual shortcuts, but clinging to the Word which alone reveals the path to eternal life.

You May Also Enjoy

Why Must Disciples Count the Cost Before Following Christ?

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).