Interpreting and Applying the Final Verse of John
The final verse of the Gospel of John, John 21:25, reads, "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" [6]. This statement is often seen as the conclusion to the Gospel, with some scholars considering chapter 21 an appendix [6].
The verse highlights the selective nature of John's narrative, implying that the Gospel is not an exhaustive account of Jesus' life and ministry. According to Calvin, the Gospel writers were guided by the Holy Spirit to select the most relevant events and teachings of Jesus [4]. This understanding is in line with the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the composition of Scripture.
The final verse of John also echoes the theme of the sufficiency of Scripture. The writer suggests that while there are many other things that Jesus did, the recorded events are sufficient for the purpose of the Gospel. This theme is reflected in other parts of the New Testament, such as 2 John 1:4-11, where the author emphasizes the importance of abiding in the truth and not being deceived by false teachers [9].
The language used in John 21:25 is hyperbolic, with the writer stating that "even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written". This kind of language is characteristic of Johannine literature, as seen in the Revelation of John, where Jesus says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" [2, 3]. The use of hyperbole emphasizes the magnitude of Jesus' works and teachings.
In interpreting the final verse of John, patristic scholars like Augustine focused on the theological significance of the Gospel's conclusion. Augustine's homilies on John emphasize the importance of understanding the Gospel as a cohesive narrative that presents the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ [10].
The final verse of John has also been seen in the context of the broader biblical narrative. The theme of judgment, for instance, is a common thread throughout the Bible, with Jesus being presented as the judge of all humanity [1]. The Revelation of John reinforces this theme, portraying Jesus as the one who dispenses the water of life to those who are thirsty [7].
The interpretation of John 21:25 has implications for understanding the purpose and scope of the Gospel. According to the Reformed tradition, the verse highlights the selective nature of the narrative and the sufficiency of Scripture for the purposes of salvation [5]. This understanding is reflected in the writings of Charles Hodge, who emphasizes the importance of understanding the character and conduct of individuals in the context of the final judgment [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 21:6 (BBE) — And he said to me, It is done. I am the First and the Last, the start and the end. I will freely give of the fountain of the water of life to him who is in need.”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 22:13 (BBE) — I am the First and the Last, the start and the end.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 50: 5:21—23; 9:5; 10:9—11; 15:1. are not peculiar either to his Godhead or his humanity, but applicable to both. In the same way he is called the Light of the world, the good Shepherd, the only Door, the true Vine. With such prerogatives the Son of God was invested on his manifestation in the flesh, and though he possessed the same with the Father before the world was created, still it was not in the same manner or respect; neither could they be attributed to one who was a man and nothing more. In the same sense we ought to understand ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 69: ( Isaiah 61:3 ). Our soul, therefore, will not be duly purified until it ceases to have any confidence, or feel any exultation in works. Foolish men are puffed up to this false and lying confidence by the erroneous idea that the cause of their salvation is in works. 17. But if we attend to the four kinds of causes which philosophers bring under our view in regard to effects, we shall find that not one of them is applicable to works as a cause of salvation. The efficient cause of our eternal salvation the Scripture uniformly proclai”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 20:30: 20:30-31 Many scholars view these words as the conclusion of John’s Gospel, viewing ch 21 as an appendix. John’s account is only a selection from Jesus’ many . . . miraculous signs.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:6: 21:6 God restates Jesus’ final words from the cross, It is finished! (John 19:30; cp. Rev 16:17), connecting Christ’s death with the assurance of eternal life. • I am the Alpha and the Omega: With the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, John portrays God as encompassing total reality and total truth. God was from the Beginning (see Gen 1:1; cp. John 1:1-2) and is also the End (see Rev 1:8; 22:13). • Because Christ is supreme and in charge of all things (see Rom 9:5; 1 Cor 15:28; Eph 1:22-23; 4:5-6), he dispenses the water of life to all who are thirs”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 92: feelings. His conscience will be so enlightened as to recognize the justice of the sentence which the righteous judge shall pronounce upon him. All whom Christ condemns will be self-condemned. (3.) There will be such a revelation of the character of every man to all around him, or to all who know him, as shall render the justice of the sentence of condemnation or acquittal apparent. Beyond this the representations of Scripture do not require us to go. Besides these general representations of Scripture that the character and conduct of men”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:4: 1:4-11 John now applies the truth and love that he mentioned in the introduction (1:1-3) to the readers’ situation. Living in truth and love means maintaining fellowship with true Christians (1:4-6), but also discerning false teachers and refusing to listen to them or help them (1:7-11).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — 456 INTRODUCTION. (part 1): great divine facts of fellowship with God, fullness of joy in Him, and an Eternal Life of love through the Son of God, are leading topics. This is obvious; they are often recurred to, are frequently conjoined, and in their grandeur surpass our range and reach of thought, while satisfying the aspirations of the soul. In these discourses of Augustin, on the first Epistle of John, we have a nearly complete text of the Epistle,--the exposition of the last 18 verses not being extant. He followed the old Itala, one of the most a”