John 21:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} there are {G2076} also {G2532} many {G4183} other things {G243} which {G3745} Jesus {G2424} did {G4160}, the which {G3748}, if {G1437} they should be written {G1125} every {G2596} one {G1520}, I suppose {G3633} that even {G3761} the world {G2889} itself {G846} could not {G3761} contain {G5562} the books {G975} that should be written {G1125}. Amen {G281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But there are also many other things Yeshua did; and if they were all to be recorded, I don’t think the whole world could contain the books that would have to be written!

Berean Standard Bible

There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.

American Standard Version

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 would not contain the books that should be written.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 21:25 serves as a profound and hyperbolic epilogue to the Fourth Gospel, asserting that the vastness of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry and divine works far exceeds what could ever be comprehensively recorded. It underscores the immeasurable scope of His actions and teachings, suggesting that even the entire world would be insufficient to contain all the books required to document His every deed, concluding with a solemn affirmation of this truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides a definitive conclusion to the Gospel of John, following immediately after the beloved disciple's testimony regarding the truthfulness of the preceding accounts in [John 21:24](/john/21-24 "John 21:24 - The Witness of the Beloved Disciple"). The entire chapter, [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples by the Sea"), functions as an appendix to the Gospel, which many scholars believe originally concluded at [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"). This final chapter recounts Jesus's third post-resurrection appearance to His disciples, focusing on the miraculous catch of fish, the breakfast on the shore, the restoration of Peter, and the clarification regarding the fate of the "beloved disciple." Verse 25 thus acts as a final, sweeping statement, emphasizing the inexhaustible nature of Jesus's ministry beyond the specific narratives presented.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, written records were precious and laborious to produce. Books were typically scrolls, made from papyrus or parchment, which were costly and time-consuming to create and store. Libraries, though they existed, were not vast in the modern sense. The concept of "the world itself could not contain the books" would have been understood as an extreme hyperbole, emphasizing the sheer impossibility of fully documenting Jesus's life within the physical constraints and literary conventions of the time. This statement also reflects a common ancient literary device where authors would acknowledge the limitations of their work in capturing the full scope of a great person's life or deeds.

* **Key Themes:** John 21:25 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights **the divine magnitude and inexhaustibility of Jesus's person and works**. The hyperbole underscores that Jesus is not merely a historical figure whose life can be fully cataloged, but the Son of God whose actions transcend human capacity for comprehension and record-keeping. Secondly, it subtly affirms **the sufficiency of the written Gospel**, even while acknowledging its incompleteness. As stated in [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"), the purpose of the Gospel was not to be exhaustive but to provide enough evidence for readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and thereby have life through His name. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **the authenticity and authority of the Gospel's witness**, concluding with "Amen," a solemn affirmation of truth, further solidifying the reliability of the narrative presented.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jesus (Greek, _Iēsoûs'_):** The name of our Lord, derived from the Hebrew "Jehoshua" meaning "Yahweh saves." Its presence here underscores that the subject of this vast, unrecorded ministry is none other than the central figure of salvation history, whose identity and actions are the very core of the Gospel's message.
* **did (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb signifies "to make or do" in a very wide application. It encompasses not only Jesus's miracles and signs but also His teachings, interactions, and every facet of His earthly life that demonstrated His divine nature and redemptive purpose. The sheer volume of these "doings" is what the verse emphasizes as immeasurable.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** This term refers to "orderly arrangement," by implication, "the world" in a wide sense, including its inhabitants. In this context, it is used hyperbolically to represent the physical space and capacity of the entire earth, emphasizing the impossibility of containing all the potential records of Jesus's deeds within its confines.
* **contain (Greek, _chōréō'_):** Meaning "to be in (give) space," or "to hold, admit." Here, it speaks to the physical capacity of the world to hold the sheer volume of books that would be necessary. Figuratively, it also implies that the scope of Jesus's work is so immense that it transcends human ability to fully grasp or encapsulate it.
* **Amen (Greek, _amḗn'_):** A Hebrew loanword, meaning "firm," "trustworthy," or "so be it." It functions as a solemn affirmation, confirming the absolute truth and certainty of the preceding hyperbolic statement. It lends a sense of finality and divine authority to the declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there are also many other things which Jesus did":** This clause introduces the central assertion: the Gospel account, extensive as it is, is merely a selection. There exists an untold multitude of additional actions, teachings, and interactions performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry that are not recorded within this book or, by implication, any other.
* **"the which, if they should be written every one":** This sets up a hypothetical scenario, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the unrecorded deeds. If every single thing Jesus did were to be meticulously documented, without omission, the sheer volume would be staggering.
* **"I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.":** This is the heart of the hyperbole. The author, traditionally John, expresses his personal conviction ("I suppose") that the physical world would be literally too small to hold the countless volumes required to record every single act of Jesus. This highlights the infinite nature of Christ's work and being.
* **"Amen.":** This concluding word serves as a powerful affirmation of the truthfulness and certainty of the preceding statement. It underscores the profound reality of Jesus's boundless ministry and the divine authority behind the Gospel's witness.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Cannot Contain the Books") is **Hyperbole**. The statement that "even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" is a deliberate exaggeration not meant to be taken literally, but to emphasize the immense, immeasurable, and inexhaustible nature of Jesus's deeds and teachings. It conveys a sense of awe and wonder at the divine scope of His ministry, far beyond what any human record could capture. This hyperbole serves to magnify the person of Jesus, elevating Him beyond a mere historical figure to one whose actions are so profound and numerous that they transcend earthly limitations. The inclusion of "Amen" at the end acts as a powerful **Affirmation**, lending solemnity and certainty to this grand concluding statement, reinforcing its truthfulness despite its hyperbolic expression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 21:25 powerfully encapsulates the theological truth that while God has graciously revealed Himself sufficiently for salvation and discipleship, His being and works are ultimately inexhaustible and incomprehensible to finite human minds. The Gospel provides a reliable and complete testimony for its stated purpose—that we might believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and have life ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")). Yet, this final verse reminds us that the person of Jesus Christ is infinitely greater than any book can fully describe. It invites a lifelong journey of discovery and worship, acknowledging that the depths of His character, power, and love are boundless.

* [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")
* [Philippians 3:8](/philippians/3-8 "Philippians 3:8 - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ")
* [Ephesians 3:19](/ephesians/3-19 "Ephesians 3:19 - To Know the Love of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 21:25 is a profound invitation to humility and wonder. It reminds us that while the Scriptures are sufficient for all matters of faith and practice, they are not exhaustive in their description of God's infinite nature or the full extent of Jesus's earthly ministry. This should inspire us to continually delve deeper into the revealed Word, knowing that there is always more to learn about the One who is infinitely greater than any human record can convey. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of awe and worship, recognizing that our knowledge of God will always be partial in this life, yet eternally expanding in the next. This verse also serves as a powerful antidote to any temptation to reduce Jesus to a mere historical figure or a set of doctrines; He is a living, boundless reality whose impact transcends all human categories and comprehension.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the hyperbole in John 21:25 shape your understanding of Jesus's divine nature and limitless power?**
* **If the world cannot contain all the books about Jesus, what does this imply about the depth and breadth of your own relationship with Him?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to continue seeking a deeper knowledge of Christ, even after studying the Gospels?**
* **What aspects of Jesus's character or ministry do you feel are most profoundly emphasized by this concluding statement?**

### FAQ
**Does John 21:25 mean that the Bible is incomplete or insufficient?**

Answer: No, John 21:25 does not mean that the Bible is incomplete or insufficient for its intended purpose. Rather, it highlights the *vastness* of Jesus's ministry and being, which far exceeds what any book could ever fully capture. The Gospel of John, along with the other biblical texts, is divinely inspired and entirely sufficient for its stated goal: to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ and to eternal life through His name, as explicitly stated in [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel"). This verse simply acknowledges that Jesus's life and works were so abundant that only a fraction could be recorded, yet that fraction is enough for salvation and spiritual growth. It underscores His infinite nature, not the Bible's deficiency.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 21:25, with its sweeping declaration of Jesus's immeasurable works, points profoundly to the Christ-centered fulfillment found in the New Testament. This boundless activity of Jesus is not merely historical but eternally redemptive. His countless deeds, whether recorded or not, were all part of His mission to reveal the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus is the Way to the Father")) and to accomplish salvation for humanity. The vastness of His work foreshadows the infinite grace and mercy extended to believers through His sacrifice, a sacrifice so complete that it covers the sins of the entire world ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus, the Atoning Sacrifice")). Furthermore, this verse hints at the ongoing, inexhaustible work of Christ through His Spirit in the lives of believers and in the world, a work that continues to unfold and will ultimately culminate in the new heavens and new earth, where His glory will fill everything ([Revelation 21:1-7](/revelation/21-1-7 "Revelation 21:1-7 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the "books that should be written" are not just about His earthly ministry, but about the eternal, cosmic significance of the Lamb of God, who is worthy of all praise and worship forever ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb is Worthy")).

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

Psalms 40:5

Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

John 20:30

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

John 20:31

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.

Psalms 71:15

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

Job 26:14

Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Hebrews 11:32

¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.