John 17:3 to Deuteronomy 6:4

NT Text: John 17:3

OT Source(s):

• Deuteronomy 6:4 (Shema: "The Lord our God, the Lord is one")
• 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 John 5:20 (only true God)
• Wisdom 15:3 (knowledge of God contingent upon salvation)
• CD-A III, 20; 1QS II, 3; IV, 22; XI, 3-4 ("life"/"eternal life" and "eternal knowledge" in parallelism)

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Reference Type: Allusion

Connection Method(s): Longitudinal Theme

Anchor Text: Deut 6:4-5 — The Shema

Significance: "Knowing" God not merely cognitive—means living in fellowship (cf. Hebrew "know" encompassing sexual intimacy, Genesis 4:1 LXX). Though God can be known through creation (Romans 1:18-25), ultimately knowledge contingent upon salvation (Barrett; Wisdom 15:3). Dead Sea Scrolls: "life"/"eternal life" and "eternal knowledge" in close parallelism. God = "only true God" affirmed supremely in Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). Jesus = exclusive agent, sole authorized representative; God-sent Messiah.