# John 20.31 **Book:** [John](/codex/john-the-apostle/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 29. Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30. Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: > > **31. but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.** (John 20:29-31, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 29. Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” 30. Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; > > **31. but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.** (John 20:29-31, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: > > **31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.** (John 20:29-31, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 29. Jesus saith to him, 'Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; happy those not having seen, and having believed.' 30. Many indeed, therefore, other signs also did Jesus before his disciples, that are not written in this book; > > **31. and these have been written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.'** (John 20:29-31, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** John the Apostle (traditionally) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching - **Audience:** later Christian audience (high-Christological emphasis; against early gnosticism) - **Location:** first-century Palestine (events); possibly Ephesus (composition) - **Time period:** events c. 26-33 AD (3-Passover chronology); composed c. AD 85-95 ## Theological reading ## Key words - [G2222 - zoe](/codex/g2222-zoe/), *zoe* (Strong's G2222). Also appears in: [Matthew 7.13-14](/codex/matthew-7-13-14/), [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/), [Matthew 25.46](/codex/matthew-25-46/). - [G2316 - theos](/codex/g2316-theos/), *theos* (Strong's G2316). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.23](/codex/matthew-1-23/), [Matthew 3.16](/codex/matthew-3-16/), [Matthew 5.9](/codex/matthew-5-9/). - [G2424 - Iesous](/codex/g2424-iesous/), *Iesous* (Strong's G2424). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.1](/codex/matthew-1-1/), [Matthew 1.16](/codex/matthew-1-16/), [Matthew 1.18](/codex/matthew-1-18/). - [G3686 - onoma](/codex/g3686-onoma/), *onoma* (Strong's G3686). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/), [Matthew 1.23](/codex/matthew-1-23/), [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/). - [G4100 - pisteuo](/codex/g4100-pisteuo/), *pisteuo* (Strong's G4100). Also appears in: [Matthew 18.6](/codex/matthew-18-6/), [Mark 15](/codex/mark-15/), [Mark 16.16-18](/codex/mark-16-16-18/). - [G5207 - huios](/codex/g5207-huios/), *huios* (Strong's G5207). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.1](/codex/matthew-1-1/), [Matthew 1.20](/codex/matthew-1-20/), [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/). - [G5547 - christos](/codex/g5547-christos/), *christos* (Strong's G5547). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.1](/codex/matthew-1-1/), [Matthew 1.16](/codex/matthew-1-16/), [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/). ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses. ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Argument from Miracles](/codex/argument-from-miracles/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Bayesian Argument for Theism](/codex/bayesian-argument-for-theism/) - [Christian God is the Only True God](/codex/christian-god-is-the-only-true-god/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Faith is Belief Without Evidence Objection Defeater](/codex/faith-is-belief-without-evidence-objection-defeater/), via [John 20.24-31](/codex/john-20-24-31/), [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Jesus Has a God Therefore Not God Objection Defeater](/codex/jesus-has-a-god-therefore-not-god-objection-defeater/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Resurrection-Centric Growth Argument](/codex/resurrection-centric-growth-argument/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) **Concepts:** - [Atheism](/codex/atheism/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Faith and Reason](/codex/faith-and-reason/), via [John 20.30-31](/codex/john-20-30-31/) - [Faith is Belief Without Evidence Objection](/codex/faith-is-belief-without-evidence-objection/), via [John 20.24-31](/codex/john-20-24-31/) - [Meaning-Centered Evangelism](/codex/meaning-centered-evangelism/) **People:** - [John the Apostle](/codex/john-the-apostle/) **Lexicon:** - [H1121 - ben](/codex/h1121-ben/)