“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10-11
Many people are aware that the gospel of John is designed to showcase seven “I am” statements of Jesus:
- “I am The bread of life” 6:35
- “I am the light of the world” 8:12
- “I am the door for the sheep” 10:7
- “I am the good shepherd” 10:11
- “I am the resurrection and the life” 11:25
- “I am the way, truth and life” 14:6
- “I am the true vine” 15:1
It also becomes clear when reading John that of all the miracles of Jesus, he selected seven miraculous “signs” to support his presentation of Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 20:30-31
The first three of these signs are explicitly identified in the text.
- Turning water into wine – “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” John 2:11
- Healing an official’s son – “The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.” John 4:53-54
- Feeding the 5,000 – “So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’” John 6:13-14
A couple of other miracles are highlighted as signs:
- Healing a man born blind – “So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them.” John 9:15-16
- Raising Lazarus from the dead – “The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.” John 12:17-18
It is possible that John only intended to highlight five signs of Jesus. But since seven is the number of completion in the Bible and John definitely chose seven “I am” statements, it seems reasonable to look for two more signs to complete the miraculous seven. Here are the options:
- Cleansing the temple – “So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things”‘ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'” John 2:18-19
- Healing the cripple by the pool – “Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.” John 5:8-9
- Walking on water – “The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” John 6:18-20
I don’t think the temple cleansing is intended as a sign for John because it doesn’t fit the one-two-three naming of signs noted above. The healing of the cripple, by contrast, does fit the sequencing because even though it comes before the third named sign, that sign is not called “the third sign,” so it could be the fourth. Plus, the healing of the paralyzed man is an objective miracle while cleansing the temple was more of a prophetic action. Similarly, I don’t think the walking on water in John 6 is one of John’s seven signs because it wasn’t known to anyone but the twelve disciples.
One other important clue for the seventh and ultimate sign is what Jesus tells the Jews in John 2:19 above. So here is my list of John’s seven signs:
- Turning water into wine (2:11)
- Healing an official’s son (4:53-54)
- Healing the cripple by the pool (5:8-9)
- Feeding the 5,000 (6:13-14)
- Healing a man born blind (9:15-16)
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:1-12:17-18)
- Rising from the dead Himself (20:1-31; see 2:19)
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:27-31
Others have found more sevens in John’s gospel. It would be an interesting study to explore the many questions included in John. In my little evangelistic book, Meet Jesus, I summarize John’s gospel with five statements, five signs and five questions, for the sake of clarity and simplicity:
| 5 Questions | 5 Statements | 5 Signs |
| 1. What are you seeking? (1:38) | 1. “Never thirst again” (4:14) | 1. Turning water into wine (2:1-12) |
| 2. Can this be the Christ? (4:29) | 2. “I am the light of the world” (9:5) | 2. Healing of blind man (9:1-5) |
| 3. Do you want to be healed? (5:6) | 3. “I am the Good Shepherd” (10:11) | 3. Healing of crippled man (5:1-15) |
| 4. Do you believe this? (11:26) | 4. “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25) | 4. Raising Lazarus from the dead (11) |
| 5. Do you love me more than these? (21:15) | 5. “Before Abraham was, I am” (8:58) | 5. The resurrection (20) |
Anyone who comes to our Easter services (9:00 and 10:30) this year will receive a free copy of Meet Jesus! Bring a friend!