End of Gospel of John question

[jeffnevins]

After years of posting them here, this is the place for Bible questions, I hope.

This is the Doctrine section, but I figure they go here.

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.

To be taken literally? Just wondering why this wording is used. Maybe it was that time's way of saying there was a lot more to tell?

And if there was, and he was the most important person to live, why wasn't it told, I wonder?

Thanks-

[Fez]

I love the book of John, and have often wondered the same thing. I decided that we should always turn to the truth when searching for answers, and the Word is the truth, ergo, the statement that Jesus did much more than that which is recorded is also true. That being said, we will never know what they were, except that the scriptures do say that Jesus was healing many, and these miracles are not recorded. (maybe for lack of space, as John says, or maybe because the miracles that He preformed that are recorded are in the bible to illustrate points, and the others would just be repetition).

Remember that Jesus healing people would have been commonplace.

Blessings.

[~candice~]

After years of posting them here, this is the place for Bible questions, I hope.

This is the Doctrine section, but I figure they go here.

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.

To be taken literally? Just wondering why this wording is used. Maybe it was that time's way of saying there was a lot more to tell?

And if there was, and he was the most important person to live, why wasn't it told, I wonder?

Thanks-

Here is the Barnes commentary on the passage:

Joh 21:25

Many other things - Many miracles, Joh_20:30. Many discourses delivered, etc.

I suppose ... - This is evidently the figure of speech called a hyperbole. It is a mode of speech where the words express more or less than is literally true. It is common among all writers; and as the sacred writers, in recording a revelation to men, used human language, it was proper that they should express themselves as men ordinarily do if they wished to be understood. This figure of speech is commonly the effect of surprise, or having the mind full of some object, and not having words to express the ideas: at the same time, the words convey no falsehood. The statement is to be taken as it would be understood among the persons to whom it is addressed; and as no one supposes that the author means to be understood literally, so there is no deception in the case, and consequently no impeachment of his veracity or inspiration. Thus, when Longinus said of a man that

[~candice~]

OK seems obvious that it wasn't literal, just hyperbole to make a point.

Ever seen a movie where most of the content / jokes / important bits are in the trailer, so that when you watch the whole thing you are really disappointed? I think the essence of what John is saying is that there is so much more that he could have written, that his account was not like the trailer I've just described, make sense?

It is interesting that this appears at the end of the gospel of John and not one of the synoptic gospels. But at the end of the day, John was inspired to write what he wrote, and what we have is what God wanted us to have .

[B3L13v3R]

I thought Matthew Henry's commentary to be of some help also on your question.

Matthew Henry

[Sanh]

After years of posting them here, this is the place for Bible questions, I hope.

This is the Doctrine section, but I figure they go here.

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.

To be taken literally? Just wondering why this wording is used. Maybe it was that time's way of saying there was a lot more to tell?

And if there was, and he was the most important person to live, why wasn't it told, I wonder?

Thanks-

There is nothing to wonder about in this statement of John because even Daniel himself was forbidden by the Lord to write specific things God told and showed him simply because those things are not meant for public consumption.

[Openly Curious]

After years of posting them here, this is the place for Bible questions, I hope.

This is the Doctrine section, but I figure they go here.

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.

To be taken literally? Just wondering why this wording is used. Maybe it was that time's way of saying there was a lot more to tell?

And if there was, and he was the most important person to live, why wasn't it told, I wonder?

Thanks-

The author did not absolutely say, the world couldn't contain all the teachings and information about the ministry of Jesus. He uses the words "I suppose".

[canuckamuck]

I find it inspiring to think that everyday with Jesus was full of wonder wisdom and glory.

I also believe that since we have a limited sampling of the miracles performed, and the parables He taught; we must assume that those that are in the gospels, especially the ones that come up more than once, are crucial to our understanding of Jesus and through Him, the Father.

It also explains why the accounts vary from gospel to gospel. There was so much to see and remember, it surely would have effected each man in unique ways.

[Bold Believer]

After years of posting them here, this is the place for Bible questions, I hope.

This is the Doctrine section, but I figure they go here.

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.

To be taken literally? Just wondering why this wording is used. Maybe it was that time's way of saying there was a lot more to tell?

And if there was, and he was the most important person to live, why wasn't it told, I wonder?

Thanks-

Notice the apostle's words: IF they should be written down. It does not mean that they were. He is saying that if anyone tried, the volumes of books would be so great that the world could not hold them all. Nothing hard there at all.

[Blien]

I'm with Bold Beliver. I think it was literal.. but God knows what the truth is..