And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
John 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.
Luke 1:3,4 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, …
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
in the presence of His disciples
This phrase emphasizes the eyewitness nature of the Gospel accounts. The disciples, who were with Jesus throughout His ministry, witnessed these signs firsthand. Their presence lends credibility to the Gospel narrative, as they could attest to the truth of the events described. The disciples' role as witnesses is crucial, as they were later commissioned to spread the Gospel and testify to what they had seen and heard. This aligns with the Jewish legal principle that a matter is established by the testimony of two or three witnesses, further validating the truth of Jesus' works and teachings.
which are not written in this book
This phrase acknowledges the selective nature of the Gospel of John. The author, traditionally identified as the Apostle John, chose specific signs and teachings to include in his account to convey a particular theological message. The purpose of the Gospel, as stated in John 20:31, is to lead readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name. The acknowledgment that not all signs are recorded suggests that the Gospel is not a comprehensive biography but a theological narrative with a specific focus. This selectivity highlights the importance of the recorded signs in revealing Jesus' identity and mission.
John records that “Jesus performed” these works—He didn’t merely speak about power; He exercised it. • Acts 2:22 reminds us that God “accredited” Jesus “by miracles, wonders, and signs.” • In John 5:17, Jesus says, “My Father is still working, and I also am working,” underscoring His active role. Every miracle is a concrete demonstration that the eternal Word who “became flesh” (John 1:14) is fully capable of acting in history, not just teaching ideas.
“Many” alerts us that the Gospel contains only a sampling of His mighty acts. • John 21:25 adds, “There are many more things that Jesus did… the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” • Matthew 4:23-24 summarizes Jesus’ ministry of healing “every disease and sickness among the people.” These signs include turning water to wine (John 2), feeding thousands (John 6), giving sight to the blind (John 9), and raising Lazarus (John 11). Each miracle reveals a different facet of His divine glory and compassion.
Jesus chose to perform these signs “in the presence of His disciples,” providing firsthand proof to those who would later bear witness. • Peter declares, “We are witnesses of everything He did” (Acts 10:39-41). • John begins his first epistle, “What we have seen with our eyes… we proclaim to you” (1 John 1:1-3). The eyewitness factor grounds faith in verifiable events rather than private visions.
John acknowledges that much remains “not written,” emphasizing selectivity, not secrecy. • Luke likewise notes he arranged his Gospel “in an orderly account” (Luke 1:1-3), showing that inspired authors chose material with purpose. • 2 Peter 1:16 insists the apostles did “not follow cleverly devised myths,” pointing again to factual history. What John omits does not lessen the truth; it highlights the intentional focus of what he includes.
“This book” refers to the Gospel according to John. His stated goal appears in the very next verse: “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). • Earlier, John explains that believing in the Light leads to becoming “children of God” (John 1:12-13). • Romans 10:17 echoes the principle: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” John’s Gospel is therefore a divinely chosen instrument for saving faith.
John 20:30 assures us that Jesus’ miraculous ministry was far more extensive than the pages of one Gospel can hold. Every recorded sign is a deliberate revelation of who He is, witnessed by reliable disciples, preserved so readers across the ages can confidently believe and receive eternal life.
(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 recorded so little of a life which contained so much. There were, indeed, many other signs which he, as an eye-witness, remembered, but which it was not within his purpose to relate.That he refers to the whole work of Christ, and not to the Risen Life only, is clear, because (1) there were not "many other signs" during the forty days; (2) the words "did Jesus" are not applicable to the manifestation to the disciples; (3) the words "in this book" refer to all that has preceded.
It would seem to follow from this that these verses (John 20:30 and John 20:31) are the conclusion of the original Gospel, and that John 21 is to be regarded as a postscript or appendix. We shall find reason for believing that, though an appendix, it proceeded from the hand of the Apostle himself.
Verses 30, 31. -(6) The conclusion of he argument of the Gospel. Controversy has prevailed from the days of Chrysostom to our own, as to whether these verses are the summary and conclusion of the Gospel as a whole, or have special reference to the record only of the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. It cannot be doubted that as St. John sums up in John 12. the general teaching of Christ and its effect upon the people, to the termination of his public ministry, so at the close of this chapter, before recording the special bearing of the resurrection-life and spiritual power of Christ on the subsequent condition of the Church - a narrative of peculiar interest in itself, corresponding with the prologue of the entire narrative - he gathers up the general significance of his Gospel and its relation to other books. Verse 30. - Many other signs therefore did Jesus also in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. The "many" and "other" refer to those signs with which his readers may be familiar from other sources, and, as it seems to us, in other (βιβλία) books. We have seen throughout how thoroughly alive the evangelist is to the minutest details of the synoptic narrative. The word "many" seems most accurately to include more than the few appearances after his resurrection which are not mentioned by John, but which are recorded by the synoptists, and the "other" refers most probably to signs of a different class from those which he has selected. The "signs" written in this book are those central facts which formed the theme and starting-points of his discourses. "Signs" do not necessarily mean miraculous works (ἐργα), but all "indications" or "tokens" of his higher nature and Divine commission, such as his appearance in the synagogue of Nazareth; the cleansing of the temple, which had so powerfully affected the mind of Nicodemus; the repeated assertion of his pre-existence and eternal glory; the feeling of the officers of the Sanhedrin, that "never man spake like this Man;" the effect produced by his lofty claims to be "Lord of the sabbath" and "greater than the temple;" the arrogation of power to forgive sins; the discomfiture of the deputation from chief priests and elders; the collapse of the Roman soldiers; and all other proofs of his supreme authority. All these σημεῖα were not indispensably connected with corresponding τεράτα. "Before the disciples" suggests a special limitation and condition which took powerful hold upon the mind of the evangelist. We hear in one passage that "he could do no mighty works, because of their unbelief." To prepared minds he came with his spiritual revelations and special suggestions of heavenly origin. John sees the memories passing before him, which have already formed the heritage of the Church, and is reminded of "many ethers" which have never found a chronicler.
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