John closes the chapter by saying that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in the book. The recorded signs were selected for a stated purpose: belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and life through his name.
Jesus in Context
These Signs Are Written That You Might Believe
John openly states that his Gospel is selective: from many signs performed before witnesses, these have been written so readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in his name.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
The Greek semeion means a sign—an event that points beyond itself to identity or significance. John's statement is an ancient author's explicit acknowledgment of selectivity rather than a claim to exhaustive biography. There is a textual variation in the verb 'believe' that can be rendered with nuances such as 'that you may believe' or 'that you may continue believing,' but either reading leaves the central purpose clear. Christos is the Greek equivalent of Messiah, not a surname, while 'Son of God' in John's narrative carries the high Christological content developed throughout the Gospel.
Why It Matters
The purpose statement tells readers how John expects the preceding narratives to function. The signs are evidence selected to disclose Jesus' identity.
Belief is not presented as an end in itself: John says that through believing, readers may have life in Jesus' name.