The Seven Signs of the Gospel of John

The Text and the Seven Signs

The Gospel of John calls the miracles Jesus performed "signs." Seven events in chapters 1–12 are commonly grouped together as the seven signs, although the Gospel never explicitly gives the number seven. The text numbers only the first (John 2:11) and the second (John 4:54).

• Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11): At the wedding at Cana, Jesus turned water into wine. The text calls this "the beginning of miracles" (literally, "the beginning of signs").
• Healing the nobleman's son (John 4:46-54): In Cana, Jesus healed by his word alone the nobleman's son, who was in Capernaum.
• Healing the man infirm for thirty-eight years (John 5:1-9): On the Sabbath, Jesus made whole the sick man beside the Pool of Bethesda.
• Feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14): Near the time of the Passover, Jesus fed five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish.
• Walking on the water (John 6:16-21): Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples as they were rowing on the sea.
• Healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-7): Jesus put clay on the man's eyes and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
• Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44): In Bethany, Jesus raised Lazarus, who had been dead four days.

Terminology and Background

"Sign" translates the Greek sēmeion (σημεῖον), meaning "mark" or "token." The Synoptic Gospels often call miracles "mighty works" (dynamis), but John's Gospel does not use this word. Instead, it presents the miracles as signs pointing to a meaning beyond the events themselves.

Scholars sometimes call chapters 1–12 the "Book of Signs." There is also the "signs source" hypothesis, which holds that the author drew on a collection of miracle stories, but this view is not settled.

Significance in the Whole of Scripture

John's Gospel states that the signs were recorded "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:31). The signs are evidence that reveals Jesus' glory (John 2:11). Yet some people saw the signs and still did not believe (John 12:37), and Jesus also rebuked those who sought only signs (John 4:48).

Several of the signs are paired with sayings that follow them. The feeding of the five thousand is followed by "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). The healing of the blind man is accompanied by "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5), and the account of Lazarus by "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25). These sayings are connected with the "I am" sayings. The discourse in chapter 6 refers to the manna in the wilderness and thus also links to the Exodus tradition.

Interpretations and Issues

• Composition of the list: The list of seven signs was compiled by interpreters. Some scholars omit the walking on the water and include instead one of the following: Jesus' resurrection, the catch of fish in chapter 21 (John 21:1-14), or the cleansing of the temple in chapter 2.
• The number seven: Interpretations that attach significance to seven as the number of perfection are widespread, but the text itself does not say this.
• Chapter 6 and the Lord's Supper: Some interpreters read the bread of life discourse as directly connected with the Lord's Supper. Others take it to refer to union with Christ through faith. Views on this question differ between traditions and also within the same tradition.
• Signs today: Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches hold that signs and wonders continue today. Some Reformed theologians who hold to cessationism maintain that the signs belonged uniquely to the apostolic age, when they served to confirm revelation. For details, see Cessationism and Continuationism.