How does John 17:3 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Scripture Foundation • John 17:3 — “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” • Matthew 28:19-20 — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Eternal Life Defined: Knowing God • Jesus places “knowing” the Father and the Son at the heart of eternal life. • This “knowing” is relational, personal, and ongoing—not merely intellectual assent (cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 John 1:3). The Great Commission: Extending That Knowledge • “Make disciples” is the practical outworking of John 17:3. – We introduce people to the same relationship Jesus describes. • Baptizing “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” openly identifies new believers with the triune God they are now to know. • “Teaching them to observe” ensures that relationship matures through obedience (cf. John 14:21). How the Two Passages Interlock • John 17:3 reveals the essence of salvation; Matthew 28:19-20 reveals the mission to share that essence. • The Commission is Jesus’ means of multiplying John 17:3 experiences “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). • Discipling is more than conveying facts; it is leading people into living fellowship with the Father and the Son through the Spirit. Practical Implications for Believers • Share the gospel as an invitation to know God personally, not just to accept doctrines. • Baptism and continued teaching are essential because they nurture the relationship that defines eternal life. • Rely on Jesus’ promised presence (“I am with you always”) as we help others enter and grow in the knowledge of God. Summary John 17:3 describes what eternal life is; Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to spread that life. Knowing God fuels mission, and mission exists to bring more people into that knowing. |
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