“Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:15–16
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Words of Jesus by topic
What did Jesus say about eternal life?
“Eternal life” and “everlasting life” appear repeatedly in sayings attributed to Jesus, especially in John. The theme includes present possession, future resurrection, relationship with God, and the promise that death does not have the final word.
At a glance
- John’s Gospel repeatedly links eternal life with believing in the Son and hearing his word.
- Jesus describes eternal life as both a present reality and a future resurrection hope.
- The Good Shepherd saying emphasizes hearing, following, security, and life given by Jesus.
- In Jesus’ prayer of John 17, eternal life is described relationally: knowing the Father and the one he sent.
Belief and everlasting life
In the conversation with Nicodemus, the lifted serpent becomes an image for the Son of man being lifted up. The passage then connects belief with everlasting life and salvation.
Passed from death unto life
In John 5, Jesus speaks of hearing his word and believing the Father who sent him. Eternal life is described in the present tense even as the discourse also looks toward resurrection.
“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life ... but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
Read this saying in the chronological reader →The bread of life
After the feeding of the multitude, Jesus repeatedly contrasts perishing food with the life he gives. The discourse points to resurrection “at the last day.”
“Every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:40
Read this saying in the chronological reader →The Shepherd gives eternal life
The sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow him. The promise combines relationship, security, and life.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.”
John 10:27–28
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Life eternal is knowing God
In the prayer of John 17, Jesus gives one of the New Testament’s most compact descriptions of eternal life.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
John 17:3
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Explore the complete collection.
Search the chronological reader for every entry using this wording and related terms.
Search the sayings →This guide groups passages by theme for study. It does not claim that every occurrence of a modern topic word is a separate doctrine or that the site’s chronology is the only possible chronology. Follow the references for the full biblical setting.