The apostle John said that Jesus performed many other signs [miracles] in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31). John selects these 7 miracles of Jesus specifically to help us believe the claims of Jesus so that we might believe in him for eternal life.
The 7 miracles of Jesus in the gospel of John are: 1) Turning water to wine, 2) Healing the official’s son, 3) Healing the crippled man, 4) Feeding the five thousand, 5) Walking on water, 6) Healing the blind man, and 7) Raising Lazarus from the dead.
The 7 Signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John
- Turning Water into Wine (John 2:1-11)
- Healing the Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
- Healing the Cripple Man (John 5:1-15)
- Feeding the Five Thousand (John 6:1-14)
- Walking on Water (John 6:15-21)
- Healing of the Blind Man (John 9:1-41)
- Raising Lazarus From the Dead (John 11:1-44)
What Do the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John Mean?
There are 7 signs [or miracles] but there is only one message. The apostle John selected these miracles specifically to prove to all that Jesus was the Messiah [Christ], the Son of God so that his listeners would believe in him for salvation and eternal life (John 20:30-31).
Jesus demonstrated his divine authority and power in these 7 miracles or 7 signs. Therefore the message is clear – trust Jesus for salvation and life.
The 7 Miracles of Jesus
Here are brief explanations of these 7 Miracles in the Gospel of John!
1. Turning Water to Wine (John 2:1-11)
Setting: Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding banquet in Cana of Galilee (John 2:2). During the wedding banquet, Mary (the mother of Jesus) noticed that the wine had run out. This would have been embarrassing and humiliating to the bride and groom. It seems that Mary had great trust in Jesus’ resourcefulness to provide a solution. So she approaches Jesus with a subtle request – they have no wine (John 2:3).
It seems that Mary thought this maybe the time for Jesus to reveal himself as the Son of God. However, Jesus reminded Mary that his timetable was governed by God, the Father not by her (John 2:4). She got the message and informed the servant to do as he said (John 2:5). Which they did (John 6:6-8). When the master of the banquet tasted the wine, he noted it quality of wine to what was previously served saying they saved the best for last.
Then the apostle John states the significance of Jesus turning water to wine in verse 11, “This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory, and the disciples believed in him.” The significance of this miracle is two-fold. First, it manifested Jesus’ glory and second, the disciples believed in him.
The primary focus of the miracle is that Jesus is the Son of God. Only God can turn water to wine instantly. The disciples saw the miracle and believed in him.
A secondary focus of the miracle may signify that there is a transforming power associated with Jesus. He changes the water of Judaism into the wine of Christianity (So Leon Morris in The Gospel According to John, page 176 – Check it Out at Amazon Books). Others see the miracle as a sign that the New Covenant (symbolized by the wine) is superior to the Old Covenant (symbolized by the water). Nevertheless, the primary emphasis of the miracle was designed to show God at work. That is, Jesus was God at work.
Explanation: The first miracle demonstrated Jesus’ creative power and the One who can provide our needs.
2. Healing the Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
Setting: The setting of this miracle relates to Jesus’ return to Cana of Galilee.
A nobleman or a royal officer sought Jesus out to heal his dying son in Capernaum.
However, Jesus didn’t go to Capernaum. Instead, he simply said in verse 50, “Go your way; your son lives. So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as his was going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, ‘Your son lives!’ (52) Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever life him.’ So the father knew that it was the same hour in which Jesus said to him, ‘Your son lives.’ And he himself believed, and his whole household.”
Here we see Jesus’ divine authority and power. He spoke and it happened and the spiritual truth here relates to the nobleman’s response. He believed the word that Jesus spoke and he went his way.
Verse 50 explains that without any tangible proof that his son was healed, he took Jesus at his word and went his way. There was no more dialogue. He simply believed and he went his way believing Jesus.
Explanation: In this 2nd miracle, Jesus’ divine authority and power is clearly seen. Furthermore, the willingness of the nobleman to take Jesus at his word was impacting – not only was his son healed but he and his whole household believed (4:51-53).
3. Healing the Cripple Man (John John 5:1-15)
Setting: The setting here is that there was a feast of the Jews so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
The first two miracles were somewhat private but this miracle would be very public.
Instead of going straight to the temple, Jesus goes a pool called Bethesda.
Here Jesus heals a man who was crippled for 38 years with a spoken word, “Rise, take your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked” (John 5:8-9).
Here we see not only Jesus’ divine authority and power but also his grace and mercy. He spoke and it happened.
The crippled man’s predicament shows us our helplessness when it comes to our physical and spiritual infirmities and it shows us our need for a Saviour.
The old saying that “God helps those who help themselves” is not true for God helps the helpless.
As Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Explanation: In this 3rd miracle, Jesus’ divine authority and power is wonderfully displayed. We are not told if the cripple man came to faith in Jesus Christ; however, we are told that Jesus found him in the temple (5:14). Maybe, he recognized God’s healing hand and went to the temple to thank God for his new situation. But what this miracle does show is Jesus’ grace and mercy.
4. Feeding the Five Thousand (John 6:1-14)
Setting: A large crowd had followed Jesus to a remote location and Jesus could see that they needed to be fed, which he did with barley loaves and two small fish.
Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed it to his disciples and they distributed it to crowd. When they were filled, the disciples gathered up 12 baskets of left overs.
Explanation: Here we see again Jesus’ divine creative power and compassion. No man can take 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish and feed a multitude but God can.
The point Jesus wanted to make to the crowd was this: “He was the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
Jesus is the all-proving One who satisfies our deepest needs in life.
5. Walking on Water (John 6:15-21)
Setting: We see here that the disciples were trying to cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat when they found themselves in trouble.
Now Jesus saw their predicament and assisted them by walking on water in order to reach them. When they saw Jesus, they were afraid. “But Jesus said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’” Then they receive him into the boat and they reached their destination.
Explanation: Here again we see Jesus’ divine power over nature (natural universe) and his intervention to help the disciples during the storm.
There is a wonderful truth here for all of us – when we recognize Jesus’ presence in our lives fear dissipates. At first they didn’t recognize Jesus but when they did, their fear subsided.
As Isaiah said, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
6. Healing the Blind Man (John 9:1-41)
Setting: We are told here that Jesus healed a blind man – a man who had never seen before.
Explanation: Again we see Jesus’ divine authority and power over the physical. This miracle proves that Jesus is the light of the world, both physically and spiritually.
He opened the eyes of a physically blind man but also he opened his spiritual eyes as we read in verse 38, “Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshipped Jesus.”
7. Raising Lazarus From the Dead (John 11:1-44)
Setting:I think most of know the story of Lazarus.
He was dead for 4 days and Jesus raised him from the dead – a miracle.
Explanation: Why did Jesus raise him from the dead? Well, Jesus wanted the people to know that he is the resurrection and the life.
We have life in his name – not just for now but for all eternity.
Summary: There are 7 miracles but 1 message – 7 signs but 1 defining statement!
The apostle John wrote, “I write these signs that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
When we believe in Jesus, he begins to transform our lives. He opens our eyes to see spiritual truth so that the fear of the unknown disappears for Jesus is here to help us in the troubles of life. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Jesus is the one who satisfies our deepest physical and spiritual needs because we have life in his name for now and for all eternity.
The 7 Miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John in Order
| ORDER | THE MIRACLES OF JESUS | BIBLE REFERENCES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Turning Water to Wine” | (John 2:1-11) |
| 2 | “Healing the Official’s Son” | (John 4:46-54) |
| 3 | “Healing the Crippled Man” | (John 5:1-15) |
| 4 | “Feeding the Five Thousand” | (John 6:1-14) |
| 5 | “Walking on Water” | (John 6:15-21) |
| 6 | “Healing the Blind Man” | (John 9:1-41) |
| 7 | “Raising Lazarus From the Dead” | (John 11:1-44) |
You can check out the 7 “I AM” statements of Jesus by clicking the following link: The 7 I AM Statements of Jesus.