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.
John 20:31
Verse 31 provides the stated purpose for the book: these signs are written so readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in his name. This culminates the program of John, presenting belief not as a bare acknowledgment but as a trust that yields transformative life. The verse signals a missionary objective: the Gospel is for evangelism and discipleship. It also ties faith to eternal life, linking belief in Jesus to a new quality of life.
This verse sums up core Johannine themes: Christology (Jesus as Messiah and Son of God) and soteriology (life in his name). It integrates belief with life, suggesting that true belief is both trust and allegiance that reorients every sphere of living—identity, purpose, and destiny.
Read John 20:31 as a call to respond to Jesus with trust that reshapes daily living. Practical steps: engage with the Gospel personally (read, reflect, and respond), participate in communities where the narrative of Jesus is lived out, and articulate your faith through acts of love, service, and proclamation. Emphasize life transformation—where faith yields repentance, hope, and mission.
Cross-References: John 1:12-13; John 3:16-18; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 10:9-10