21 eternal life. This is the last of forty-one New Testament occurrences of the phrase “eternal life” or “everlasting life.” The first was in Matthew 19:16, and the central one John 10:28. Thus:

“What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16).

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).