Devine Scripture

John 21:25

What does John 21:25 mean?

A plain-English look at John 21:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 21:25 means

The Gospel concludes with a profound statement emphasizing the immeasurable scope of Jesus' works. It asserts that if every single thing Jesus did were to be exhaustively written down, the entire world itself would not be large enough to contain all the books that would be required. This hyperbole powerfully conveys the vastness and significance of Jesus' life and ministry, reminding readers that while this Gospel provides vital truth, it only scratches the surface of Christ's infinite glory and activity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus did such a number of other things that, if every one was recorded, it is my opinion that even the world itself is not great enough for the books there would be.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there are also many other things--as many as Jesus did--which, if they may be written one by one, not even the world itself I think to have place for the books written. Amen.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they were written one by one, I suppose that not even the world itself would contain the books written.

Context

This final verse provides a sweeping and profound conclusion to the entire Gospel. It expands beyond the specific events of John 21, speaking to the entirety of Jesus' earthly ministry and His ongoing divine work. This concluding statement serves as an awe-inspiring final thought, underscoring the boundless nature of Christ's deeds and leaving the reader in contemplation of His eternal significance after the intimate narrative of the chapter.

v.24This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.

v.25This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 20:30

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

  • Amos 7:10

    Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  • Matthew 11:5

    the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.

  • Psalms 71:15

    My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, Andof thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.

  • Psalms 40:5

    Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

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