The verse highlights that John intentionally selected "many and other signs," not just to recount events, but to show the sheer abundance and variety of Jesus' works. This isn't just a summary of leftovers; it emphasizes the profound depth of Jesus' ministry that goes beyond any single book's capacity to contain.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As John's Gospel draws to a close, he reflects on the immense life and ministry of Jesus, acknowledging that the stories he's shared are just a glimpse. He states that Jesus performed many other miraculous "signs" in front of his disciples that weren't included in this book, setting the stage for the book's ultimate purpose. This statement immediately precedes John's declaration of why he did include the signs he did: so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, have life in his name.
Think about everything you've just read in John's Gospel. It feels pretty complete, right? But John tells us it's just a snapshot.
John concludes his Gospel by revealing that the signs he's recorded are only a fraction of Jesus' miraculous work. He says, 'many other signs truly did Jesus... which are not written in this book.'
This tells us Jesus' ministry was incredibly vast and impactful. The Gospels give us a curated selection, focusing on key events and teachings that reveal who Jesus is. But the reality of His time on earth was even more extensive than what we can read.
John calls Jesus' miracles 'signs.' What does that word choice reveal about their purpose?
The word 'signs' (Greek: semeia) in John's Gospel isn't just a casual term for miracles. These weren't just random displays of power; they were deliberate actions pointing to a deeper truth about Jesus.
Each 'sign' was meant to reveal Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. They were evidence, meant to draw people to believe in Him. John explicitly states the purpose of his writing in the next verse: 'these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.'
John specifies that Jesus performed these signs 'in the presence of his disciples.' Why is that detail significant?
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Jesus performed many of His miraculous signs in front of His closest followers. This emphasizes the disciples' role as eyewitnesses and the foundation of their testimony.
These disciples were not just passive observers; they were chosen to see, hear, and experience Jesus' power firsthand. Their experiences, both before and especially after the resurrection, equipped them to bear witness to the truth of who Jesus is. This verse underscores that the Gospel accounts are rooted in the testimony of those who were personally present.
Understand the original words
sēmeion · Greek Noun
Miraculous events or supernatural deeds performed by Jesus that serve as evidence of His divine mission, authority, and identity as the Messiah, intended to elicit faith.
pisteusēte · Greek Verb
To believe in a biblical context involves active trust, reliance, and commitment to the truth of God's revelation, rather than mere intellectual assent. It implies placing one's full confidence in the object of faith for salvation and transformation.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek word 'Christos' translates the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Anointed One). It signifies Jesus as the one specifically chosen, empowered, and set apart by God to fulfill the messianic offices of Prophet, Priest, and King to redeem His people.
huios tou Theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title denoting Jesus' unique, eternal divine relationship with the Father. It affirms His ontological deity, equality with God, and His status as the divine representative of the Father to humanity.
zōēn · Greek Noun
In biblical theology, 'life' (zoē) refers not only to physical existence but to the eternal, spiritual, and abundant quality of life found in communion with God. It is the life of the age to come, granted to the believer through Christ.
onoma · Greek Noun
In Scripture, a 'name' represents the authority, character, presence, and reputation of the person being named. To act or have life 'in his name' means to possess it by His authority and through an intimate relationship with His divine person.
This verse highlights that the Gospel of John is a curated selection of Jesus' life and works, emphasizing that the miracles recorded are just a fraction of all He did, chosen specifically to lead readers to believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry and Miracles
During His earthly ministry, Jesus performed numerous miracles or 'signs' throughout Galilee and Judea, which His disciples witnessed.
c. AD 30
The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
After His passion, Jesus was crucified and buried, a pivotal event for His followers.
c. AD 30 (Sunday, First Day of the Week)— this verse
The Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus was resurrected from the dead, appearing to various disciples and His followers over a period of 40 days.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Disciples After Resurrection
Jesus made multiple appearances to His disciples, including the specific events described in John 20, solidifying their faith and understanding.
c. AD 80-90
Writing of the Gospel of John
The Apostle John likely penned his Gospel, intentionally selecting specific 'signs' and events to demonstrate Jesus' identity and encourage belief.
This passage directly follows John 20 and echoes the idea that not everything Jesus did could be contained within a single book, reinforcing the deliberate selection of signs.
Acts 1:3This verse mentions Jesus showing himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, suggesting a breadth of post-resurrection appearances not fully detailed in the Gospels.
John 2:23This earlier verse in John's Gospel highlights the significance of 'signs' (miracles) as indicators of Jesus' identity, framing the omitted signs in John 20:30 as equally revelatory.
1 Corinthians 15:3-7This passage lists key appearances of the risen Christ to various groups, indicating a historical reality of multiple encounters that the Gospels, including John's, could not exhaustively record.
ellicottJohn 20:30: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:"
(30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples. —More exactly, Yea, and indeed many and other signs did Jesus. (Comp. Note on John 2:11 .) We must understand the “signs” not of the proofs of the Resurrection only, but of the works wrought during the whole life. The writer’s narrative is drawing to a close, and he explains the fact that he has recor…
wesleyJohn 20:30: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:"
20:30 Jesus wrought many miracles, which are not written in this book - Of St. John, nor indeed of the other evangelists.
The verse highlights that John intentionally selected "many and other signs," not just to recount events, but to show the sheer abundance and variety of Jesus' works. This isn't just a summary of leftovers; it emphasizes the profound depth of Jesus' ministry that goes beyond any single book's capacity to contain.
As John's Gospel draws to a close, he reflects on the immense life and ministry of Jesus, acknowledging that the stories he's shared are just a glimpse. He states that Jesus performed many other miraculous "signs" in front of his disciples that weren't included in this book, setting the stage for the book's ultimate purpose. This statement immediately precedes John's declaration of why he did include the signs he did: so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, have life in his name.
As John's Gospel draws to a close, he reflects on the immense life and ministry of Jesus, acknowledging that the stories he's shared are just a glimpse. He states that Jesus performed many other miraculous "signs" in front of his disciples that weren't included in this book, setting the stage for the book's ultimate purpose. This statement immediately precedes John's declaration of why he did include the signs he did: so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, have life in his name.
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his nam…" — The verse highlights that John intentionally selected "many and other signs," not just to recount events, but to show the sheer abundance and variety of Jesus' works. This isn't just a summary of lef…
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Last reviewed October 2026
