Good Point. Here's the whole passage
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
It's really hard to interpret that any other way. I hope that there is a way that people who know God and ask Him for forgiveness are granted forgiveness through the cross even though they may not familiar with Jesus. But I have practically no confidence that is the case. Rather I suspect that God would lead every one who is truly repentant before Him to Jesus.
The word "repentance" and its derivatives appear nowhere in the gospel of John. The Gospel of John says that it is belief in the Son of God that results in salvation. Repentance is important, to be sure. However examine the word "repentance." Meta=change noia=mind. Truly repentant people are those who changed their mind about Christ. Formerly they did not believe in him, now they do believe in him. That is saving faith.
Now watch me get flamed by the members of the MacArthur Lordship salvation cult.