John 20 31

John 20:31 kjv

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 20:31 nkjv

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31 niv

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:31 esv

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 nlt

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

John 20 verses

John 20 31 Meaning

John 20:31 serves as the profound conclusion to the Gospel of John, articulating its explicit purpose. It states that the specific "signs" (miracles) and events recorded within the book were chosen and presented to lead readers to a transformative belief: that Jesus is the long-awaited Christ (Messiah) and the divine Son of God. The ultimate goal of this belief is not merely intellectual assent but to usher the believer into true, eternal life that flows directly from and is accessed through the person, authority, and saving work represented by Jesus’ name.

John 20 31 Context

John chapter 20 primarily focuses on the pivotal events of Jesus' resurrection. It recounts Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb, Peter and John's verification, Jesus' appearance to Mary, His appearance to the disciples behind locked doors where He commissions them and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, and famously, His interaction with Thomas, who declares, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28). This verse (20:31) concludes the main narrative body of the Gospel, explicitly stating the author's overarching intent. It encapsulates the core message of the entire book, drawing together themes of eyewitness testimony, divine signs, faith, Jesus' true identity (Christ and Son of God), and the offer of eternal life. Historically, John wrote to a diverse audience, including early Christians needing reassurance and strengthening of their faith, as well as those contemplating belief, perhaps challenged by Hellenistic philosophical concepts or Jewish resistance to Jesus' claims. The emphasis on "signs" (σημεῖα) provides compelling evidence, counteracting any reliance on mere intellectual reasoning or Gnostic claims of secret knowledge. The affirmation of Jesus as both "Christ" (the Jewish Messiah) and "Son of God" (a universal, divine declaration) served to affirm Christian truth and address any direct or indirect polemics against Jewish messianic expectations or pagan polytheism.

John 20 31 Word analysis

• But (Greek: alla, ἀλλά): Introduces a concluding statement or contrast. Here, it shifts from the specific accounts of resurrection to the overall purpose of the entire Gospel. It marks a decisive summary.
• these: Refers specifically to the "signs" (miracles), teachings, and events Jesus performed and spoke, which John chose to include and record throughout his Gospel. It implies a selective process in the narrative.
• are written (Greek: gegraptai, γέγραπται): Perfect passive indicative verb. This emphasizes that the writing is a completed action with lasting, present results. It highlights the divine intentionality and permanence of the Gospel record, meaning "they stand written." The verb is often used to denote authoritative scripture.
• that (Greek: hina, ἵνα): A purpose clause, clearly stating the reason or goal behind the Gospel's composition. This "that" signifies "in order that" or "with the result that."
• ye might believe (Greek: pisteusēte, πιστεύσητε): Second person plural, aorist active subjunctive of pisteuō (πιστεύω), "to believe" or "to have faith." The subjunctive mood denotes a potential or desired outcome, dependent on the reader's free response. "Believe" here is not just intellectual assent but a comprehensive, trust-filled commitment and allegiance to Jesus.
• that (Greek: hoti, ὅτι): Introduces the content of belief, i.e., what specifically one is to believe about Jesus.
• Jesus: The historical person, the Man, emphasizing His real human existence.
• is the Christ (Greek: estin ho Christos, ἐστὶν ὁ Χριστός): Declares Jesus' messianic identity. "Christos" (Χριστός) is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Mashiach" (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "Anointed One." This connects Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies and expectations of a deliverer king. This was particularly significant for Jewish audiences.
• the Son of God (Greek: ho Huios tou Theou, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ): A profound theological title emphasizing Jesus' divine nature, unique relationship with God the Father, and ultimate authority. This goes beyond a merely human or messianic identity, proclaiming His deity and universal significance. This claim challenged contemporary Jewish and Hellenistic thought regarding divinity.
• and that believing (Greek: kai hina pisteuontes, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες): Reaffirms the core act of faith. Pisteuontes is a present active participle, indicating continuous or ongoing belief, active trust, and living by faith, not a one-time event. It implies the process and persistence of faith.
• ye might have life (Greek: zōēn echēte, ζωὴν ἔχητε): States the ultimate consequence or benefit of believing. "Life" (Greek: zōē, ζωή) here refers to spiritual, eternal, and abundant life—God's own life, qualitatively superior to mere biological existence. It is not merely future hope but a present reality for the believer.
• through his name (Greek: en tō onomati autou, ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ): "Through his name" means through His person, His authority, His character, His power, and all that He accomplished (especially His redemptive work on the cross and resurrection). It's by identifying with and relying on who Jesus is and what He has done that this life is accessed. It implies invoking His authority and receiving His redemptive benefit.

John 20 31 Bonus section

The placement of this summary statement right after the encounter with "doubting Thomas" (Jn 20:24-29) is significant. Thomas, who demanded physical evidence, eventually believed without seeing Jesus' resurrected body again, declaring "My Lord and My God!" Jesus then blessed those "who have not seen and yet have believed." This setup primes the reader to understand that the purpose of John's Gospel is to provide the sufficient evidence through written testimony (the "these are written") for faith without requiring physical sight, leading to the same life-giving belief Thomas ultimately achieved. This verse effectively transitions the Gospel from eyewitness accounts to a timeless evangelistic tool, making it applicable to all future readers who encounter the text without physically seeing Jesus. This passage highlights John's selective writing style. He implies that not all of Jesus's works were included (Jn 21:25), only those essential for fostering faith in Jesus' unique identity. The structure of John's Gospel often reveals this evangelistic strategy: presenting a sign, then Jesus' teaching explaining the spiritual significance of the sign, aiming to lead to deeper belief.

John 20 31 Commentary

John 20:31 serves as the thesis statement of the fourth Gospel, meticulously crafted to explain why John chose to record certain events and teachings out of the multitude that occurred. The Gospel is not merely historical biography but a theological treatise designed to elicit a specific response: belief. This belief has a dual focus: accepting Jesus as the Christ, the promised Jewish Messiah, and more profoundly, as the very Son of God, affirming His unique divine nature. The intentional ordering – "Christ, the Son of God" – signifies a progression from Messianic hope to universal deity. The Gospel presents "signs" not as ends in themselves but as evidence, points of conviction, enabling one to truly believe. This faith is active and ongoing ("that believing ye might have"), leading directly to the possession of "life," which is not just unending existence but the rich, abundant, spiritual life of God Himself, accessible only through Jesus' name, signifying His complete authority and saving work. It encapsulates the core of the Christian message: identity of Christ leading to a life-transforming faith. For instance, like Thomas's progression from doubt to "My Lord and my God," the Gospel aims to lead every reader to this same confession and the subsequent gift of life.