The Empty Tomb
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 · Berean Standard Bible
Everything in this Gospel was written with one goal: that you would believe Jesus is the promised Savior and find real life through Him.
This is the heart of why this book exists. Every miracle, every conversation, every moment was recorded to lead you to this single invitation.
The author speaks to you with deep personal conviction, telling you exactly why he spent his life writing this account.
If you've ever wondered what the point of reading the Bible is, this verse answers it. It's not just ancient history. It was written so your life could be transformed by believing.
This verse articulates the stated purpose of the Fourth Gospel: to engender belief that Jesus is the Christos and the Son of God, resulting in eternal life.
The hina-clause expresses both evangelistic and confirmatory purposes, and the phrase 'life in His name' echoes the Johannine theme of zoe (life) introduced in the Prologue.
The evangelist continues his direct address to the reader, stating the theological aim of his entire literary project.
This purpose statement serves as the original conclusion of the Gospel before the appendix of chapter 21 was added. It summarizes the entire narrative arc: signs reveal identity, identity invites belief, belief grants life.
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
31But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Read all of John 20 — Mary weeping in a garden hears her name spoken by a voice she thought she'd lost forever. Then Jesus walks into a locked room: peace.
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