SIGNS AND THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

John 2:1-11:53 has sometimes been called the book of signs. Seven miracles are recorded by John which he calls signs.  Semeion is the Greek word used by John. It means a distinguishing mark or sign by which something is known; used for miracles of significance or used to indicate an impending catastrophe. It is clear that John is using them in the meaning of miracles of specific significance or purpose. These signs carry two ideas: (1) divine communication; (2) and/or divine intervention—these miracles recorded by John do both. They are designed to communicate to man as signs. A miracle is an intervention to bring about a special occurrence into the natural world. The word sign “looks at a miracle as proof of a point or as a means of teaching something. The crucial thing is not the miracle, as genuine and important as it is, but the lesson to be learned from the miracle.”[1]

In looking at John and these signs we need to note three important elements:

• First, John is selective in the use of signs (miracles). He admits that when he acknowledges “many other signs…which are not written in this book” (John 20:30). There were other signs performed, which were witnessed by the disciples, but he chose not to record them in his gospel. He admits these other miracles were significant but not chosen for one reason or another. He was selective in what signs he used in his gospel.
• Second, John’s purpose of the selection of these signs was soteriological. Their purpose was to produce belief and to produce life. “These were written so that you might believe…and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
• Third, John’s purpose in the selection of these signs was to show Jesus’ deity and Messiahship—“that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). Guthrie notes, “It is not without considerable importance that the Messianic identify of Jesus is stated first.”[2] It is the Jews who required signs (1 Cor. 1:22). “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). John is writing to give the signs that He was who He said He was. He can still be “received” by His own, if they “believe in His name” (John 1:12).

Signs are an integral part of John’s Gospel. They are revelatory in character, each revealing an interest in the person and power of Jesus, upholding His deity and Messiahship. They show who He is and what He can do; aiming at producing faith (belief) in Him and reflecting His glory (cf. John 1:14; 2:11; 11:40).

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[1]  Stanley Toussaint, “The Significance of the First Sign in John’s Gospel,” BIBLIOTHECA SACRA, January 1977, 45-46.

[2]  Guthrie, Donald, “The Importance of Signs in the Fourth Gospel,” VOX EVANGELICAL 5, 1967, 72.