Lesson 185: John 17:3
Lesson 185: John 17:3
John 17:3
The Blueprint — The Verse
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Memorization Practice
Click words to hide them and test your memory.
Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
Rate your recall:
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Jesus prays in John 17 on the eve of the cross — the high priestly prayer. Eternal life in John's theology is relational knowledge of the Father and Son, not merely unending duration.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Jesus prays for glory to return and for disciples to be protected and united. He defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and the sent Son — intimate, covenantal relationship.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
-
John 17:2
even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (John 17:2) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
-
John 17:4
I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (John 17:4) to continue the passage.
Discussion
-
How is knowing God different from knowing about God?
-
What practices deepen your knowledge of Christ?
-
How does eternal life start now rather than only after death?