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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 20:26-31

We have here an account of another appearance of Christ to his disciples, after his resurrection, when Thomas was now with them. And concerning this we may observe, I. When it was that Christ repeated his visit to his disciples: After eight days, that day seven-night after he rose, which must therefore be, as that was, the first day of the week. 1. He deferred his next appearance for some time, to show his disciples that he was not risen to such a life as he had formerly lived, to converse... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 20:30-31

20:30-31 Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which have not been written in this book. These have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. It is quite clear that as the gospel was originally planned, it comes to an end with this verse. John 21:1-25 is to be regarded as an appendix and an afterthought. No passage in the gospels better sums up the aim of the writers than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 20:31

But these are written ,..... The several ends of recording what is written in this book, in proof of Christ's resurrection, are as follow: one is, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; that Jesus, who was diminutively called Jesus, the son of Mary, the son of Joseph, the carpenter's son, Jesus of Nazareth, and of Galilee, was the Christ, or true Messiah; which signifies anointed, and takes in all his offices of prophet, priest, and King, to which he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:31

That ye might believe - What is here recorded is to give a full proof of the Divinity of Christ; that he is the promised Messiah; that he really suffered and rose again from the dead; and that through him every believer might have eternal life. Life - Several MSS., versions, and fathers read eternal life, and this is undoubtedly the meaning of the word, whether the various reading be admitted or not. Grotius has conjectured that the Gospel, as written by St. John, ended with this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 20:31

Verse 31 31.But these are written, that you may believe. By these words he means, that he committed to writing what ought to satisfy us, because it is abundantly sufficient for confirming our faith; for he intended to reply to the vain curiosity of men, which is insatiable, and allows itself excessive indulgence. Besides, John was well aware of what the other Evangelists had written; and, as nothing was farther from his intention than to set aside their writings, he unquestionably does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:1-31

2. The complete glorification of Jesus in his resurrection. The record pauses for the awful day of that great sabbath, and resumes the marvelous recital when the greatest event in the history of the world is assumed and asserted to have taken place. Heathen and foes admit the fact of the death of Jesus; the evidence is overwhelming, multiform, sufficient to establish itself to the ordinary reason of mankind. It is a matter of indubitable history. The proof was given to all the world; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:30-31

(6) The conclusion of he argument of the Gospel. Controversy has prevailed from the days of Chrysostom to our own, as to whether these verses are the summary and conclusion of the Gospel as a whole, or have special reference to the record only of the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. It cannot be doubted that as St. John sums up in John 12:1-50 . the general teaching of Christ and its effect upon the people, to the termination of his public ministry, so at the close of this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:30-31

The dose of the evangelist's narrative. It has an abrupt termination. The Gospel began with an assertion of Christ's Deity; it ends with a confession of the same blessed doctrine. I. THE EVANGELIST 'S METHOD OF WRITING HIS NARRATIVE . "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book." 1. These words imply the existence of the other Gospels, with their fuller narratives of miracle. He thus ratifies the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:30-31

The purpose of John's Gospel. This statement comes in very fitly after the narrative of Thomas's doubt. Many more things might have been told, but a mere record of actions is nothing in itself; it is precious just as it reveals the nature, the character, and the office of the actor. A record of Jesus more encumbered with details, and longer spun out, might not have given so clear a view of him. I. JOHN 'S PURPOSE . Many books have been written to destroy faith; here is a book... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 20:31

But , says he, these are written with a special purpose. The author did not intend to write a full history or a detailed biography; he avowed having made a unique and well-considered selection of "signs," which formed the theme of great discourse, of "words" which revealed the inner depths of that wondrous nature, and which, far from exhausting the theme, only touched its fringes; and he did this with a distinct aim, in order that ye (he here addresses the Churches already founded and... read more

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