John 21:25
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse uses hyperbole to emphasize that the recorded life of Jesus is just a fraction of what truly happened; John is saying that the world itself wouldn't be big enough to hold all the books if every single deed and word were written down. This isn't just about the sheer quantity of events, but hints at the profound, inexhaustible depth and significance contained within Jesus's life and ministry.
This verse serves as a concluding epilogue to John's Gospel, following Peter's reinstatement and the author's own future destiny. It emphasizes that the recorded events and teachings are just a glimpse of Jesus's impactful life and ministry, meant to lead readers to faith. The verse is a powerful hyperbole, suggesting the sheer immensity of Jesus's deeds and words, far more than could ever be captured in writing.
Ever felt like words just can't capture how amazing something is? John uses a powerful figure of speech to show us the sheer immensity of Jesus' life.
A Figure of Speech to Express Awe
John finishes his Gospel with a striking statement: if every single thing Jesus did were written down, the world couldn't hold the books! This isn't meant to be taken literally. It's a hyperbole, a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to make a point.
Think about it: John is a careful eyewitness, and his Gospel is already rich with details. Yet, he acknowledges that what he's recorded is just a fraction of Jesus' life.
Why Use Such Exaggeration?
John has poured out his heart onto these pages, but he admits it's just the tip of the iceberg. So why did he stop here?
The Goal: Belief and Life
The ultimate aim of John's Gospel is clear: "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" (John 20:31).
This verse concludes the Gospel of John, written decades after Jesus' earthly ministry. It's a powerful statement about the sheer volume of Jesus' life and impact, suggesting that even a comprehensive written record would be impossibly vast, highlighting the richness and depth of his time on earth.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry, including miracles, teachings, and his crucifixion and resurrection, concludes. His followers begin to spread the message of his life and teachings.
c. AD 30-60s
Oral Tradition and Early Writings
The core stories and teachings of Jesus circulate through oral tradition among the early Christian communities. Some early letters (like Paul's) are written during this period.
c. AD 60s-70s
Gospel of Mark and Luke
The Gospels of Mark and Luke are written, providing narrative accounts of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. These texts begin to codify the oral traditions.
c. AD 80s-90s
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is written, offering another account of Jesus' life and teachings, likely aimed at a Jewish audience. The Gospels now provide multiple perspectives.
This passage uses a similar hyperbole, describing the giants encountered by the spies as so enormous that the Israelites felt like grasshoppers in comparison, highlighting how ancient writers used exaggeration to convey immense scale.
Psalm 40:5This verse speaks of God's wonderful works and thoughts towards us, which are 'too many to recount,' echoing John's sentiment that the deeds of Jesus are too numerous to be fully written down.
This passage uses hyperbole to describe Solomon's wisdom filling the earth and his parables covering it, drawing a parallel to the idea of overwhelming abundance that John expresses about Jesus's life and actions.
This verse directly precedes the passage in question and sets the stage by stating that John has recorded only *some* of Jesus's signs, making verse 25 a concluding thought that underscores the vastness of what was left unrecorded.
Revelation 1:3This verse speaks of blessings for those who read and hear the words of prophecy, suggesting a shared value in the written word of God, even though John here implies that the full story of Jesus is beyond any single written record.
barnesJohn 21:25: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
Many other things - Many miracles, John 20:30 . Many discourses delivered, etc. I suppose ... - This is evidently the figure of speech called a hyperbole. It is a mode of speech where the words express more or less than is literally true. It is common among all writers; and as the sacred…
clarkeJohn 21:25: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
Many other things - Before his disciples, is added by two MSS. The Scholia in several MSS. intimate that this verse is an addition; but it is found in every ancient version, and in Origen, Cyril, and Chrysostom. Could not contain, etc. - Origen's signification of the word χωρειν is to ad…
The verse uses hyperbole to emphasize that the recorded life of Jesus is just a fraction of what truly happened; John is saying that the world itself wouldn't be big enough to hold all the books if every single deed and word were written down. This isn't just about the sheer quantity of events, but hints at the profound, inexhaustible depth and significance contained within Jesus's life and ministry.
This verse serves as a concluding epilogue to John's Gospel, following Peter's reinstatement and the author's own future destiny. It emphasizes that the recorded events and teachings are just a glimpse of Jesus's impactful life and ministry, meant to lead readers to faith. The verse is a powerful hyperbole, suggesting the sheer immensity of Jesus's deeds and words, far more than could ever be captured in writing.
This verse serves as a concluding epilogue to John's Gospel, following Peter's reinstatement and the author's own future destiny. It emphasizes that the recorded events and teachings are just a glimpse of Jesus's impactful life and ministry, meant to lead readers to faith. The verse is a powerful hyperbole, suggesting the sheer immensity of Jesus's deeds and words, far more than could ever be captured in writing.
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Everything recorded in the Gospel serves this specific purpose. The miracles, the teachings, the interactions – they are all carefully selected evidence to build a case for Jesus' identity and mission.
Why Not Record Everything?
c. AD 90s
Gospel of John Written
The Gospel of John is composed, presenting a more theological and reflective account of Jesus' identity and mission, focusing on signs that point to his divine nature. This verse is the final statement of this gospel.
Late 1st Century AD
Collection and Circulation of Gospels
The four Gospels, including John, are being collected and circulated among Christian communities, forming the foundational scriptural narrative of Jesus' life and teachings.
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." — The verse uses hyperbole to emphasize that the recorded life of Jesus is just a fraction of what truly happened; John is saying that the world itself wouldn't be big enough to hold all the books if…
