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. Amen.

JOHN 21:25KJV
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John 21:25 (KJV)

What does John 21:25 mean?

John 21:25 closes the account by saying that the written story includes only a portion of what Jesus did. The speaker uses a striking image to express how much more could be told: an account of every action would fill more books than the world could hold.

After the testimony in verse 24, the speaker adds the personal phrase “I suppose.” The picture of a world crowded with books is an intentional exaggeration, giving the closing sentence its sense of wonder.

The Greek behind John 21:25

  • “suppose” — οἶμαι (oimai): This word means to think or suppose. It gives the final image the voice of a speaker offering a personal assessment.
  • “contain” — χωρέω (chōreō): This word can mean to have room for something. Here it pictures the world as a space too small to hold the imagined collection of books.

Why John 21:25 matters

  • The verse draws attention to selection in a written account. The phrase “many other things” tells readers that the story has been told without recording every action.
  • The claim reaches beyond the events just narrated. “Which Jesus did” points broadly to Jesus’ actions, rather than limiting the comment to the scene beside the sea.
  • The final word “Amen” gives the KJV a formal closing. It is a familiar word meaning “truly” or “so be it.”

Where else these words appear

“suppose” Greek G3633 · used in 3 verses

  • Philippians 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
  • James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

“contain” Greek G5562 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
  • John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

“books” Greek G975 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
  • Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
  • Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

“which” Greek G3745 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.