Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about knowing jesus?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that knowing Jesus is the gift of eternal life, received by trusting him as the incarnate Son of God, Savior, and only way to the Father. Jesus declares in John 14:6 that no one comes to the Father except through him, and John 17:3 identifies eternal life with knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. Though sin earns death, God gives eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23), because he loved the world and gave his Son (John 3:16). True knowledge of Christ bears fruit in obedient love (1 John 2:3), rests in his saving sacrifice, and brings believers into peace, forgiveness, and his Spirit-filled mission (John 20:19-23).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • John 14:6

    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

  • John 17:3

    This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • John 20:19-23

    [19] When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you." [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit! [23] Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever's sins you retain, they have been retained."

  • 1 John 2:3

    This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.

  • John 6:50-71

    [50] This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." [52] The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" [53] Jesus therefore said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don't have life in yourselves. [54] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. [58] This is the bread which came down out of heaven-- not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever." [59] These things he said in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? [62] Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? [63] It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. [64] But there are some of you who don't believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him. [65] He said, "For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father." [66] At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?" [68] Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. [69] We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [70] Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" [71] Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.

  • Isaiah 43:10

    You are my witnesses, says Yahweh, and my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

  • John 1:1

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about knowing jesus and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about knowing jesus