John 20:31 - but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Generated Verse: John 20:31

What does "John 20:31" mean?


This verse, John 20:31, is a cornerstone of understanding the purpose of the Gospel of John. It essentially outlines the author's reason for writing the book:

"but these are written": This refers to the specific signs and miracles that John has already recorded in his Gospel. These events are not just random stories; they are carefully chosen and documented.
"that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God": This is the primary objective. The author wants the reader to come to the conviction that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the promised king of the Jewish people) and the Son of God (possessing divine nature and authority).
"and that believing you may have life in his name": This explains the benefit of believing. By believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the reader can receive life in his name. This "life" refers to eternal life, salvation, a transformed existence, and a relationship with God. It's not just physical existence, but a deeper, spiritual life. "In his name" signifies that this life is received through Jesus' authority and power.

In simpler terms:

John wrote down these specific events about Jesus so that you would believe that Jesus is the Messiah and the divine Son of God. If you believe this, you will have eternal life through him.

Key takeaways:

Purposeful Selection: John didn't include every single event of Jesus' life. He carefully selected those that would lead people to faith.
Central Claims: The core of Christian belief is that Jesus is both the promised Messiah (Christ) and divine (Son of God).
Belief and Life: Believing in Jesus is not just intellectual assent, but a commitment that leads to transformation and eternal life.
Life Through Jesus: This life is not something we earn or deserve; it is a gift received "in his name" (through his authority and power).

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