In scripture the word “know” signifies a deep, personal, and often covenantal relationship. It encompasses a holistic, life-altering experience that moves beyond head knowledge to heart knowledge. Signifying a deep, personal, and transformative relationship with God. It's the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them.
In the Bible, to follow is far more than walking behind someone; it conveys a deep, all-encompassing commitment. When Jesus called people to follow Him, He was inviting them to join His mission and actively participate in His work. In the ancient world, disciples did not merely learn a teacher’s words but imitated their entire way of life. To follow Jesus is to become His apprentice—adopting His values, habits, and mission. This life-transforming call requires leaving behind the old way of living, as the first disciples did, to become a living reflection of the Master.
In the New Testament, agapē represents the highest and most profound form of love. It is selfless, unconditional, and self-sacrificial; not merely a feeling but a deliberate act of the will. Agapē chooses to seek the well-being of another, regardless of their actions or worthiness. This is the love God has for humanity, demonstrated in John 3:16: “For God so loved (agapaō) the world that He gave His only Son.” It is the same love Christians are called to extend to one another, and even to their enemies.