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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_20:30-31
30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Joh_20:30 Joh_20:30-31 are obviously the theme and purpose of the Gospel. It is an evangelistic tract! The Gospel writers, under inspiration, had the right and God-given ability to select, arrange, and adapt and summarize Jesus' acts and words to clearly communicate to selected audiences, Jews, Romans, and Gentiles, the great truths about Jesus. The NT is not a Christian Talmud.
Carl F. H. Henry, in the opening article entitled "The Authority and Inspiration of the Bible" in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 1 says:
"The Bible does not aim to present a complete chronology of events, whether it deals with creation narrative or with salvation history, including incarnation history. But the stated purpose of the biblical writings is to give man all that is necessary and sufficient for his redemptive rescue and obedient service of his Maker. Though the biblical writers sometimes view the one saving work of God from various angles and for differing purposes, what they tell us is reliable and adequate. Matthew subordinates much of the chronology of the ministry of Jesus to a topical arrangement serviceable for instruction. Luke omits much of the material contained in Mark in what is still an orderly account that bulwarks catechetical indoctrination (cf. Joh_1:4). John openly comments on the radical selectivity that underlies the fourth Gospel (Joh_20:30-31)" (pp. 27-28).
▣ "many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples" These "signs" can be understood in several ways.
1. the signs that He was truly alive
a. their touching his wounds
b. His eating with them (cf. Luk_24:43)
2. special unrecorded signs done in the upper room in their presence
3. a reference to His life's work (focusing on the past) preparing them to record the Gospels (cf. Luk_24:46-48)
Joh_20:31
NASB, NKJV,
TEV, NJB "that you may believe"
NRSV "that you may come to believe"
Some early Greek manuscripts, P66, à *, B, and the Greek text used by Origen, have a present subjunctive, which would imply that John was written to encourage believers to continue in the faith.
Other Greek uncial manuscripts (i.e., cf8 i2, A, C, D, L, N, W) have an aorist subjunctive, which would imply that John was writing to unbelievers. UBS4 puts the aorist in the text but gives it a "C" rating (difficulty in deciding). This verse is the stated purpose of the Gospel. John is, like the other Gospels, an evangelistic tract.
▣ "the Christ" This is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term "Messiah" which is literally "an anointed One." It was the OT descendant of David who was prophesied to bring in the new age of righteousness. Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Joh_1:45) is the Jewish Messiah (cf. Joh_11:27).
This designation for Jesus is found early in the Gospel (cf. Joh_1:41). However, the title "Lord," not "Messiah," was the normal title used for Jesus in Gentile contexts (cf. Rom_10:9-13; Php_2:9-11).
The concept of "Messiah" had eschatological implications (1) to the Pharisees it had political, national expectations and (2) in Apocalyptic Jewish literature it had cosmic, universal expectations.
▣ "the Son of God" This title is used sparingly in the Synoptics (perhaps because of possible misunderstanding by Gentiles), but used early in John (cf. Joh_1:14; Joh_1:34; Joh_1:49). It was John's way of asserting the unique relationship between Jesus and the Father (use of huios). John uses this familial metaphor in several ways.
1. a title
2. in connection with "the only begotten" (monogençs, cf. Joh_1:18; Joh_3:16; 1Jn_4:9)
3. in combination with the use of the title "Father" (cf. Joh_20:17)
See hyperlink at 1Jn_3:8.
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