What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and following Jesus?

from the old testament

• Although knowing Jesus is found in the New Testament, the truth about knowing about God vs. knowing Him is also seen in the Old Testament. God desires heart devotion, not just religious knowledge. Israel often knew about God but failed to truly follow Him, leading God to say, “this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29:13).
• God commanded His people to “walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 13:4). True faith is not just acknowledging that there is God or knowing about Him but is about truly knowing Him, which produces a life that follows Him in obedience. Hosea 6:6 echoes this when God says, “I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

from the new testament

• Jesus had many disciples, but not all of them were true followers. They often traveled with Him because of His miracles (e.g., John 6:2, 26). They knew He could do great things but were not true followers of Him. At one point, while speaking to those around Him, he asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). In Hebrew thought, repeating a word emphasized it. He was saying they were confidently calling Him their master yet were not doing what He said. Their actions did not support their claims of allegiance.
• Therefore, claiming that Jesus is Lord while not treating Him as Lord is the distinction between affirming facts about Jesus and actually following Him. While salvation is certain “not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8–10), a true believer necessarily works “out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13). True followers have the Holy Spirit, and He is producing the fruit of righteousness in their lives (Galatians 5:22–23).
• Because believers have the Holy Spirit and should therefore have resulting works, James expressed doubt about some who claimed to be believers. He began with, “You believe that God is one; you do well” (James 2:19). This refers to intellectual belief about God. But then he chided them, saying, “Even the demons believe” (v 19b).
• If salvation were just about knowing things about Jesus, then the demons would also be saved. But knowing about Jesus is not the same as following Him. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Denial of self is the humility of saying, “I’m doing it Jesus’ way, not my own.” This is the heart of a follower of Jesus. It includes knowledge of Him, but it turns that knowledge into action.
• Jesus also said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Keeping Jesus’ commandments is the act of following Him. The ultimate goal for every true believer is to be like Jesus. Speaking about true followers, Paul said, “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image [of Jesus] from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The change into Christlikeness is slow, but believers change as they follow Jesus every day.

implications for today

Being a follower of Jesus is not like following a YouTube channel, receiving various tidbits throughout the week on how to live better, some of which you try doing and others you ignore. Following Jesus means being His disciple. A disciple gives up his life to follow his master wherever he goes to become just like his master. This means he emulates him and does what he says. This is why, when Jesus called His disciples (e.g., Matthew 4:18–22), they gave up everything they had (Luke 5:11) because they recognized that He was the only way to salvation (John 6:68–69).

Knowing only about Jesus is like knowing about famous YouTubers. You know information about them, you subscribe to their channels, you might even buy the products they promote. But you don’t have a relationship with them. If you met them in real life, they wouldn’t know you at all and wouldn’t invite you to their place to hang out.

Jesus, speaking about His future return, said that when He comes, many will call Him “Lord, Lord,” but He will reply, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22–23). Many people know things about Jesus. But knowing about Jesus without actually doing what He says indicates that you do not have a saving relationship with Him. When He returns, will He also say, "I don't know you"?

A true follower of Jesus does not simply know about Him or admire Him from a distance, but they surrender to Him, obey Him, and are transformed to look more like Him.