Some have said that John 17:3 shows that Jesus did not believe he was God. Let’s look at the verse in context:
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Some will say that Jesus is saying that God is “the only true God and not Jesus. But let’s highlight the different parts ot this context that actually tell a different story.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
1) Jesus calls God Father. He often said things to proclaim his unity with the Father. “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30). This is the triune nature of God.
2) This triune nature is seen in verse 3 as well when we see that eternal life knowing God, AND Jesus Christ.
3) The Father gave the ability for Jesus to give eternal life. Only God can give eternal life.
4) Jesus says he shared glory with the Father prior to the beginning of the world.
5) God says He shares his glory with no one. But Jesus shares in His glory. This is a claim to deity.
6) Jesus is given authority over all flesh (v. 2). This is a role only for God.
Rather than negating the deity of Jesus, this text actually confirms it. It just needs the words taken within their very immediate context to see this.