Jesus defines eternal life: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (haute de estin he aionios zoe hina ginoskosin se ton monon alethinon theon kai hon apesteilas Iesoun Christon). Eternal life (zoe aionios) is not merely endless existence but knowing (ginoskosin) God. The verb ginosko indicates experiential, intimate knowledge, not mere intellectual awareness. The description 'the only true God' (ton monon alethinon theon) affirms monotheism - one genuine God exists. Critically, Jesus includes knowing Himself: 'and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' This places Jesus alongside the Father as object of saving knowledge - a staggering claim to deity. Eternal life consists in relationship with Father and Son. This definition transforms soteriology - salvation is not escaping hell but knowing God through Christ.
Historical Context
This comes from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, offered before His arrest. The prayer reveals Jesus' intimate communion with the Father and His understanding of His mission. In Jewish thought, knowing God meant covenant relationship, not abstract philosophy. Prophets promised a day when 'the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD' (Isaiah 11:9). Jesus claims to mediate this knowledge - no one knows the Father except through the Son (Matthew 11:27). Early church understood that Christianity's distinctiveness lay in knowing God personally through Christ. Gnostic heresies claimed secret knowledge (gnosis) brought salvation; orthodox Christianity countered that knowing God through Christ was openly available through faith. Aquinas distinguished natural knowledge of God (through reason) from supernatural knowledge (through revelation). Reformation emphasized that knowing God required Spirit-illumination. Modern evangelicalism sometimes reduces salvation to transactional forgiveness; this verse emphasizes relational knowledge.
Questions for Reflection
How does defining eternal life as knowing God transform our understanding of salvation from legal transaction to personal relationship?
Why does Jesus include knowing Himself alongside knowing the Father - what does this teach about His identity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus defines eternal life: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (haute de estin he aionios zoe hina ginoskosin se ton monon alethinon theon kai hon apesteilas Iesoun Christon). Eternal life (zoe aionios) is not merely endless existence but knowing (ginoskosin) God. The verb ginosko indicates experiential, intimate knowledge, not mere intellectual awareness. The description 'the only true God' (ton monon alethinon theon) affirms monotheism - one genuine God exists. Critically, Jesus includes knowing Himself: 'and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' This places Jesus alongside the Father as object of saving knowledge - a staggering claim to deity. Eternal life consists in relationship with Father and Son. This definition transforms soteriology - salvation is not escaping hell but knowing God through Christ.