John 20:30

KJV

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} many {G4183} other {G243} signs {G4592} truly {G3303}{G3767} did {G4160} Jesus {G2424} in the presence {G1799} of his {G846} disciples {G3101}, which {G3739} are {G2076} not {G3756} written {G1125} in {G1722} this {G5129} book {G975}:

Complete Jewish Bible

In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles which have not been recorded in this book.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

American Standard Version

Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:30 serves as a crucial transitional statement within the Gospel of John, affirming that Jesus performed a multitude of miraculous "signs" and deeds during His earthly ministry, far exceeding what is recorded in this particular book. This verse highlights the selective nature of the Gospel's content, emphasizing that the evangelist, John, meticulously chose specific events to document, even though countless other significant acts occurred in the direct observation of His disciples, which remain unwritten. It sets the stage for the Gospel's explicit purpose, underscoring the sufficiency of the inspired record for faith and eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 20:30 immediately precedes the explicit purpose statement of John's Gospel in [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"). This verse functions as a concluding remark to the main narrative of Jesus's public ministry and resurrection appearances, particularly following the account of Thomas's confession in [John 20:24-29](/john/20-24-29 "John 20:24-29 - Thomas's Doubt and Confession"). It acts as an authorial aside, a meta-commentary on the scope and intention of the book itself. By stating that "many other signs" were not written, John prepares the reader for the summary of his theological intent, asserting that the recorded events are precisely those necessary to achieve his stated goal of fostering belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. The verse also echoes a similar concluding sentiment found later in [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The Immensity of Jesus's Works"), reinforcing the idea of the immense and uncontainable nature of Jesus's works.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, biographies (or *bioi*) were not exhaustive historical records in the modern sense but rather selective accounts designed to present a particular portrait of an individual, often to convey moral or philosophical lessons. John's Gospel, while rooted in historical events, fits this ancient biographical genre by presenting a curated selection of Jesus's life and teachings. The emphasis on "in the presence of his disciples" underscores the importance of eyewitness testimony, a crucial element for validating claims in the ancient world. The disciples were the primary witnesses to Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, and their testimony formed the bedrock of the early Christian kerygma (proclamation). The early church relied heavily on these authenticated accounts, passed down orally and eventually committed to writing, to establish the truth of the Gospel message and to counter false teachings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within John's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **the abundance of Jesus's works**, suggesting that His divine activity was far more extensive than any single book could capture, underscoring His inexhaustible power and presence. Secondly, it emphasizes the **selectivity and intentionality of Scripture**, revealing that the biblical authors, under divine inspiration, made deliberate choices about what to include, ensuring that the written record served a specific theological purpose. This leads to the third theme: the **sufficiency of the written Word**. Despite the unrecorded acts, John implies that what *is* written is enough to achieve the Gospel's aim—to lead readers to faith and eternal life, as explicitly stated in [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"). Finally, the phrase "in the presence of his disciples" reinforces the theme of **eyewitness testimony**, validating the authenticity and reliability of the events recorded, as they were observed firsthand by those closest to Jesus, echoing the apostolic claims found in passages like [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - Eyewitness Testimony of the Word of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **signs (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** (G4592) In John's Gospel, "signs" are not merely miracles or wonders, but divinely orchestrated acts that point beyond themselves to reveal Jesus's true identity, glory, and mission. They are indicators or proofs of His divine nature and messianic claims. John carefully selects seven major signs (e.g., turning water into wine, healing the paralytic, raising Lazarus) to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God, each revealing a deeper theological truth about Him. The use of the plural "signs" here implies a vast collection of such revelatory acts.
* **did (Greek, _poiéō'_):** (G4160) This verb signifies "to make or do" in a very wide application, encompassing actions, accomplishments, and performances. When applied to Jesus, it underscores His active and powerful ministry. The phrase "did Jesus" emphasizes His agency and the tangible reality of His works. The context of "many other signs" highlights the sheer volume and impactful nature of His divine operations.
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** (G1125) This primary verb means "to grave," especially "to write," and figuratively "to describe." Its use here directly addresses the nature of the Gospel as a written document. The negative "are not written" emphasizes the deliberate selectivity of the author. It implies that the purpose of the book is not to be an exhaustive biography but a theological treatise, carefully curated to achieve a specific goal through the recorded events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many other signs truly did Jesus":** This clause establishes the vast scope of Jesus's miraculous and revelatory works during His earthly ministry. The term "signs" (σημεῖα, *sēmeia*) in John's Gospel denotes purposeful acts that reveal Jesus's divine identity and mission, not merely displays of power. The inclusion of "many other" (πολλὰ ἄλλα, *polla alla*) underscores that the recorded events are but a fraction of His actual deeds, hinting at the immeasurable depth of His power and the extent of His activity.
* **"in the presence of his disciples":** This phrase highlights the eyewitness nature of the events. The disciples were not just passive observers but direct witnesses to Jesus's ministry, validating the authenticity and reliability of the accounts that were eventually recorded. It emphasizes the historical grounding of the Gospel, rooted in the firsthand experiences of those who followed Jesus most closely, thereby lending credibility to their testimony.
* **"which are not written in this book":** This final clause is a crucial authorial statement about the selectivity of the Gospel. John explicitly states that his narrative is not exhaustive; he has chosen to include certain "signs" and teachings while omitting others. This deliberate choice serves to focus the reader's attention on the specific purpose of the book, which is articulated in the subsequent verse ([John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")). It implies that the unwritten works, while real and significant, were not essential for the particular theological objective John sought to achieve with his Gospel.

#### Literary Devices
John 20:30 employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Understatement**, where the phrase "many other signs... which are not written in this book" subtly conveys the immense and unquantifiable nature of Jesus's works. By stating that *not everything* is recorded, the evangelist implies that the unrecorded acts are far greater in number and scope than what is presented, creating a sense of awe and wonder at the vastness of Christ's ministry. This verse also functions as a **Purpose Statement**, directly setting the stage for the explicit declaration of the Gospel's aim in [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"). It tells the reader *why* certain things were included and others omitted, guiding their interpretation. Furthermore, the emphasis on "in the presence of his disciples" serves as an appeal to **Eyewitness Testimony**, a rhetorical strategy to establish the veracity and reliability of the narrative. It grounds the divine acts in historical observation, lending credibility to the extraordinary claims about Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:30 powerfully articulates the principle of the sufficiency of Scripture, even while acknowledging the boundless nature of God's revelation in Christ. Theologically, it teaches us that while Jesus's works were immeasurable, the divinely inspired written record contains everything necessary for humanity to come to a saving knowledge of Him. This verse underscores God's wisdom in choosing what to reveal and what to withhold, ensuring that the focus remains on the core message of salvation through Christ rather than an exhaustive biographical account. It affirms that the Bible, though not a complete compendium of every divine act, is a perfect and complete guide for faith and life, providing a reliable and authoritative foundation for Christian belief and practice.

* [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Could Not Contain the Books")
* [Acts 1:3](/acts/1-3 "Acts 1:3 - Jesus's Many Proofs After His Resurrection")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - The Sufficiency and Inspiration of Scripture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 20:30 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us of the unfathomable depth of Jesus's ministry and the divine wisdom behind the composition of Scripture. It invites us to trust in the sufficiency of the written Word, knowing that what God has chosen to reveal about Jesus is precisely what we need for salvation and spiritual growth. This verse encourages us to delve deeply into the Gospels, not with a desire for exhaustive historical detail, but with a hunger for the life-transforming truth about who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. It liberates us from the need to seek extra-biblical revelations or to speculate endlessly on unrecorded events, anchoring our faith firmly in the divinely inspired and sufficient witness of the New Testament. Our focus should be on believing and living out the truths that *are* written, allowing them to shape our understanding of God and our walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the knowledge that "many other signs" were performed, yet not written, impact your appreciation for the selectivity and purpose of the Bible?**
* **In what ways does this verse reinforce your trust in the sufficiency of Scripture for understanding who Jesus is and how to live a life pleasing to God?**
* **How might you be tempted to seek knowledge or experiences outside of what God has already revealed in His Word, and how can this verse reorient your focus?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't John write down all of Jesus's signs and deeds?**

Answer: John explicitly states that he did not write down all of Jesus's signs and deeds because his purpose was not to create an exhaustive historical biography, but rather a theological treatise designed to lead readers to faith. As [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel") clarifies, "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." The evangelist, under divine inspiration, selectively chose the signs and teachings that would most effectively demonstrate Jesus's identity as the Christ and the Son of God, ensuring that the written record was sufficient for the specific goal of fostering belief and eternal life. The vastness of Jesus's works, as also alluded to in [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Could Not Contain the Books"), would have made an exhaustive account impossible to contain in a single book.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:30, by highlighting the unwritten and immeasurable works of Jesus, points to the boundless nature of Christ's redemptive activity and His eternal glory. While the Gospels provide a sufficient written record for salvation, they only scratch the surface of the infinite person and work of Jesus Christ. The "many other signs" not recorded foreshadow the ongoing, unwritten work of Christ through His Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and in the world, as He continues to build His church and draw people to Himself ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Building His Church")). The ultimate "sign" of Jesus's identity, His resurrection, is the culmination of His earthly ministry, and from this, His work extends infinitely beyond the confines of any book. This verse implicitly affirms that the living Christ continues to perform "signs" and wonders, not necessarily in overt miracles as in the Gospels, but in the transformation of hearts, the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Spirit's Power for Witness")), and the ongoing revelation of God's character through His people. Thus, John 20:30 serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is not merely in a historical figure, but in the resurrected and reigning Lord, whose glory and works transcend all human comprehension and continue to unfold throughout history, culminating in His glorious return ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Jesus's Promise to Return")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

1 John 5:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

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.

Luke 1:3

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,

Luke 1:4

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.