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.
John 21:25
John ends his gospel by acknowledging the vastness of Jesus’ deeds: if every act were written, the world could not contain the books. This isn’t a literal claim about volume so much as a poetic way to emphasize Jesus’ enormity, depth, and the ongoing work of God in Christ. John’s Gospel is selective, shaped by themes of belief, life in Jesus, and John’s purpose that readers “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). The verse underscores two truths: first, the sufficiency of what has been written to invite faith; second, the infinite breadth of Jesus’ ministry beyond human record. It also points to the ongoing witness of the church: what God has done in Jesus continues to unfold through the Spirit-filled community. The word “Amen” signals a confident conclusion—trusting that God’s revelation in Christ is complete enough for salvation, even as it remains open-ended for future experience and testimony.
This verse highlights the sufficiency and suffused abundance of Jesus’ life and works. It affirms that God’s redemptive acts in Christ surpass human cataloging, reminding us that divine revelation isn’t contingent on exhaustive documentation but on the person and work of Jesus. It also signals an invitation to trust in the unbounded truth of God rather than seeking to measure God by human inventories. The verse invites us to worship the immeasurable God who chose to reveal himself in the finite, historical person of Jesus while continuing to work through his people. It guards against the impulse to reduce faith to a fixed canon of “proofs” and instead orients us toward reverent awe and grateful dependence on the One whose acts are ultimately profluent and inexhaustible.
Practically, this verse invites humility about human knowledge. Do not chase exhaustive lists of miracles or proofs to “prove” faith. Instead, lean into the sufficiency of the gospel you have and share your personal testimony of Jesus’ transforming work in your life. In ministry contexts, avoid piling up ancillary details that overwhelm listeners; let the core message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection be central, knowing God’s work is bigger than any sermon series. In personal life, when you encounter God’s activity you can’t fully explain, practice grateful awe rather than skepticism. And be ready to tell others that while you don’t have every “book” about Jesus, you do have a reliable witness in him who invites belief. Practical tip: start with one radical, simple takeaway from Jesus’ life (love your enemies, forgive, seek justice) and invite others to encounter him through stories, acts of service, and honest questions.
Cross-References: Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:1