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).
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