We want proof. We want the full story, every miracle, each conversation documented so we can finally relax into certainty. John’s last words push back gently and insistently against that appetite: what’s written is not everything Jesus did, but it is written for a purpose—so that you might believe and have life in his name. That tension—between wanting exhaustive evidence and being offered credible testimony that opens life—touches a deep human longing for sure footing.
In simple terms, John 20:30–31 tells us that Jesus performed many signs which the author did not record; the signs that are recorded were chosen so readers would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through that belief receive life. John 21:24–25 closes the Gospel by affirming that the beloved disciple bore witness to these things and that Jesus did countless other deeds too numerous to write down. These statements are unique to John (they don’t appear in Matthew, Mark, or Luke) and they function like bookends: an explicit purpose at the heart of the Gospel and a humble note about everything left unsaid.
What this reveals about Jesus and the kingdom is both humbling and exhilarating. Humbling: Jesus is inexhaustible—his life and grace overflow any record we can make. The Gospel refuses to be reduced to a checklist of miracles; it points us instead to a Person whose presence brings life. Exhilarating: John stakes everything on testimony—on the truth-telling witness that invites trust. The invitation is not to intellectual trivia but to relational faith: to believe in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God, and to receive new life. Don’t miss the weight here—this is not apologetics-lite; it’s a pastoral claim: believe, and you will live.
Today, live as if the testimony is true. Pick one short practice: read one of John’s “sign” stories slowly (water into wine, healing, raising Lazarus), then ask, “What does this show me about who Jesus is for me?” Pray a simple, specific trust: “Jesus, I believe you are the Messiah; help me live from that.” Then do one concrete thing that flows from that belief—offer mercy, risk an honest conversation, or say yes to a service opportunity at work or home. Testimony becomes life when belief changes behavior.
In simple terms, John 20:30–31 tells us that Jesus performed many signs which the author did not record; the signs that are recorded were chosen so readers would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through that belief receive life. John 21:24–25 closes the Gospel by affirming that the beloved disciple bore witness to these things and that Jesus did countless other deeds too numerous to write down. These statements are unique to John (they don’t appear in Matthew, Mark, or Luke) and they function like bookends: an explicit purpose at the heart of the Gospel and a humble note about everything left unsaid.
What this reveals about Jesus and the kingdom is both humbling and exhilarating. Humbling: Jesus is inexhaustible—his life and grace overflow any record we can make. The Gospel refuses to be reduced to a checklist of miracles; it points us instead to a Person whose presence brings life. Exhilarating: John stakes everything on testimony—on the truth-telling witness that invites trust. The invitation is not to intellectual trivia but to relational faith: to believe in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God, and to receive new life. Don’t miss the weight here—this is not apologetics-lite; it’s a pastoral claim: believe, and you will live.
Today, live as if the testimony is true. Pick one short practice: read one of John’s “sign” stories slowly (water into wine, healing, raising Lazarus), then ask, “What does this show me about who Jesus is for me?” Pray a simple, specific trust: “Jesus, I believe you are the Messiah; help me live from that.” Then do one concrete thing that flows from that belief—offer mercy, risk an honest conversation, or say yes to a service opportunity at work or home. Testimony becomes life when belief changes behavior.
John: 20:30-31
These verses say that Jesus did many signs not all recorded here, and the ones included were chosen so readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and through that belief have life in his name.
Open VerseJohn: 21:24-25
The author affirms that the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is the eyewitness and writer of this testimony and that his account is true. He then adds that Jesus did many other things beyond those recorded—so many that the world could not contain all the books that would be written about them.
Open Verse