2.3 miracles and signs

Question 1

What word does John use for miracles?

Answer 1

the greek word, semeia (meaning signs)

Question 2

Why does John use the word ‘signs’?

Answer 2

• miracles act as signposts to the true identity of Jesus
• they have a Christological focus, reflecting the person of Jesus not just his capability

Question 3

How many signs are there in John?

Answer 3

7

Question 4

What was the first sign recorded in John?

Answer 4

Jesus changes water into wine

Question 5

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus changing water into wine?

Answer 5

• a symbol for the messianic banquet (an eschatological description of the age to come when those chosen by God share in a feast with the Messiah)
• Jesus superseded the legalism of Judaism -> turned the water used for the ritual of purification into excellent wine
• Sacramental theology = John may be seeking to identify the importance of the sacraments within the Johannine community

Question 6

What is the second sign recorded in John?

Answer 6

Jesus heals an Official’s son

Question 7

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus healing an Official’s son?

Answer 7

• Jesus heals with just words -> shows his divinity and high christology
• for those that believe, death isn’t the end instead they receive eternal life

Question 8

What is the third sign recorded in John?

Answer 8

The healing at the pool

Question 9

What is the meaning and significance of the healing at the pool?

Answer 9

• replacement theology = Jesus is shown to replace the great Feasts of Judaism -> in this case the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Passover
• Jesus shows that true healing is spiritual + Jesus offers that here and now -> realised eschatology

Question 10

What is the fourth sign recorded in John?

Answer 10

Jesus feeds the 5000

Question 11

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus feeding the 5000?

Answer 11

• replacement theology - Jesus is superseding the manna from the OT
• links to the Eucharist
• Raymond Brown = unlike OT wisdom, Jesus’ teaching nourishes forever

Question 12

What is the fifth sign recorded in John?

Answer 12

Jesus walks on water

Question 13

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus walking on water?

Answer 13

• shows Jesus’ sovereignty over nature
• extends the power of Jesus beyond healings
• high christology

Question 14

What is the sixth sign recorded in John?

Answer 14

Jesus heals a man born blind

Question 15

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus healing a man born blind?

Answer 15

• Jesus corrects the misconceptions of sin and heals the blindness
• Jesus is the true light, the Torah causes spiritual blindness
• replacement theology

Question 16

What is the seventh sigh recorded in John?

Answer 16

Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead

Question 17

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead?

Answer 17

• the greatest indication that death is not the end and eternal life is promised
• shows Jesus’ divine authority over death
• Lazarus’ death signals the end of the old Israel; his raising signals the birth of a new Israel -> replacement theology

Question 18

Do the signs have to be historically accurate in order to be truthful?

Answer 18

not necessarily, even if the signs are artificially created and not historical, it doesn’t compromise the truth that lies behind them = that Jesus is God

Question 19

What are the implications of the signs for codes of living for Christians today?

Answer 19

Christians use the teachings from the signs to guide their own Christian life - it is faith in Jesus, not following the law that is important for ethical codes of living