John 2-4 Belief in John: How Does John Want Us to Understand Jesus Signs?

John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4

Belief in John:Belief in John:How Does John Want Us

to Understand Jesus’ “Signs”?

Gospel of JohnGospel of JohnGospel of JohnGospel of John

1:19 12:50 13:1 20:311:1-18 21:1-25

Book of

Signs

Book of

Glory

Prologue

Epilogue


1:19 12:50

13:1

20:31

1:1-18 21:1-25

Book of Signs

Book of Glory

Prologue

Epilogue

17:2618:1-19:42

20:1-31

Arr

est

, Tri

al, a

nd

Death

Jesus’ Final Teachings

1st Sign

1:19-2:11

Subsequent Signs, Discourses, Feasts

2:12 12:50

Resu

rrect

ion

13:1


1:19 12:37 - 501:1-18

Book of SignsPrologue

Summary of Signs

12:36

Seven “Signs”

Seven “Sayings”

water wine (2:1-11)

Healing official’s son (4:46-53)

Healing lame man (5:1-9)

Feeding 5000(6:1- 15)

Walking Water (6:16-21)

Healing Blind Man (9:1-41)

Raising Lazarus (11:1-44)

Born Again (3:1-21)

Living Water (4:1-42)

Imitating Father (5:16-47)

Bread of Life (6:25-71)

Light of World (7:1-8:59)

The Good Shepherd (10:1-21)

One with Father(10:22-42)

Summary of Sayings

Signs (12:37-43)

Sayings (12:44-50)

1:19 12:50


Observation 1Observation 1: John 2-11 is often called the Book of Signs.

Scholars disagree over how many signs. All seem to say 7, but which 7? John himself is a bit vague in exactly what are the events which should be categorized as “signs.”

Observation 2Observation 2:There are only two events which are explicitly

labeled as signs by John himself, 1. Turning water into wine in 2:11 2. Healing of official’s son in 4:54


Hermeneutical (Text-Driven) QuestionHermeneutical (Text-Driven) Question:

Why? Why do we try to isolate “signs” in John? Almost every commentary or article on John attempts to “count” John’s signs. Why focus upon what we want to find rather than on what John is trying to tell us?

Hermeneutically speaking, you discover what your eyes and mind expect. Why not get what you textually/Biblically inspect?

Thus, let’s ask what might be a more text-

driven question(s).


Text-Driven Question(s):Text-Driven Question(s):

1. What is the meaning of the two signs described by John? (definitional question)(definitional question)

2. What is the relationship of the two signs to each other? (integrative question)(integrative question)

3. How does the context of John 2-4 help illuminate John’s agenda? (How is John trying to answer his own question?)

4. So what? How does this impact the church today. Us? (application question).(application question).


3:22 - 36 4:54

John’s Call to Faith in Jesus

4:1-42 4:43Sam

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1st Sign1st Sign

2:1 2:12-2:22 2:23-3:21

2nd Sign2nd Sign

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Test

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2:11


3:22 - 36 4:54

Works and Words of Jesus

4:1-42 4:43Sam

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1st Sign1st Sign

2:1 2:12-2:22 2:23-3:21

2nd Sign2nd Sign

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Cana of Galilee (2:1)

Cana of Galilee, Again (4:46)

2:11

Hour (2:4) Hour (4:52, 53)

Seeing vs. Hearing (4:48, 50, 53)

Whatever He says to you, do it (2:5)

John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4Observation 1Observation 1:

John 2:11 tells us that Jesus was performing signs and his disciples “believed.” [Word studyWord study: Does the word believe have a stable meaning in John?]

But John 2:18 tells us that some of the Jews were demanding signs to authenticate Jesus’ authority.

He gives them one (2:19) but they did not believe. Nor did his disciples until after the resurrection (2:22).

Now, begin to integrate this into your understanding of “signs.”


Observation 2Observation 2:John 2:23-25 tells us that there are other signs

which Jesus did and many believed. How does that illuminate into our solving of the “sign” question?

Be specific, especially with Jesus’ response to their “level” of belief in 2:24-25.

Now, how does 2:23-25 relate to chap 3-4? And, how will you read 3-4 differently based upon 2:23-25? Dig, and be specific.


Observation 3Observation 3:John 3:2 tells us that some of the Jews (even

leaders of Jews) recognized Jesus’ signs.

Observation 4Observation 4:John 3:10-12 tells us that they did not

understand the connection of Jesus’ signs with their divine significance (i.e., as told through Jesus’ testimony/word).

Observation 5Observation 5:

John 3:13 tells us that Jesus is the only one with the “heavenly perspective.” (cf. also 1:32-33; 1:50; esp. 3:31-36)

John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4John 2-4Observation 6Observation 6:

John 4:25-26 tells us that ancient Samaritan expectations of the Messiah (their Bible was only the Pentateuch; according Deut 18:18) is that “he will explain all things.” Thus, how important is it to recognize Jesus as Messiah?

Observation 7Observation 7:Note the implicit contrast in 4:27-42. How

does John depict the disciples vs. the Samaritans?

“Could this be the Messiah?” What does this mean to woman and Samaritans?



John 4:39-42, seems to describe a new level of belief. What is it explicitly? What is it based upon? How does it change or grow?

“We know that he is the Savior of the World (4:42. Cf. 20:30-31)


Observation 9Observation 9:Look to all the references to seeing/hearing

about Jesus in 4:42-54.

Observation 10Observation 10:Jesus contrasts seeingseeing faith vs. hearinghearing faith

(John 4:48; goal may be 20:28-29)


Royal official believes simply in the words of Jesus, no sight involved (4:50, 53). Can a sign be a sign without seeing?


3:22 - 36 4:54

First and Second Sign (shmei/on) of Jesus

4:1-42 4:43Sam

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1st Sign1st Sign

2:1 2:12-2:22 2:23-3:21

2nd Sign2nd Sign

Nic

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Cana of Galilee (2:1)

Cana of Galilee, Again (4:46)

2:11

Hour (2:4)

Hour (4:52, 53)

Seeing vs. Hearing (4:48, 50, 53)

Whatever He says to you, do it (2:5) Belief in

works vs. Belief in

Belief in works vs. B

elief in

WordsWords


Conclusion 1Conclusion 1:It seems that John is defining “faith” for his

readers (us) more than for the people in the story. We are watching the scenes unfold before us and John is describing what was taking place. John may even be relating to us (readers) that the people in the story did not fully understand what they were doing. Faith involves more than simple cognition.

Conclusion 2Conclusion 2:

It seems to be clearly a reflective experience, based upon our understanding of Jesus, his words, works, origin.


Conclusion 3Conclusion 3:It seems that John is defining “faith” as a growth

experience. It may begin defined as “Sign” faith. But John adds other factors to the mix to keep us from being satisfied with that kind of faith. (esp. 2:22 & 2:23-25). We are to push on to a deeper level of faith.


This deeper level seems to have its foundation in the person of Jesus; his words and his origin. John 2:22 identifies it as “Resurrection faith.” And here the basis is scripture and Jesus’ words (the same thing?)


Conclusion 5Conclusion 5:But even “Resurrection faith” may not come

immediately. It takes reflection and integration of the scriptures. See 20:9.


Faith, for John does not exist without a Biblical understanding of Jesus (Old Testament and Jesus’ Words).


Integration (larger context)Integration (larger context):Examine the life of Nicodemus as an example of

the growing life of faith.1. John 3:1-152. John 7:1-52 (esp. 7:50-51)3. John 19:38-42

Application questionApplication question:

What does this mean for our own faith. How is John defining faith which applies to us?

Qs. Are we better off living today or would our faith be stronger in Jesus’ day?

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John 2-4 Belief in John: How Does John Want Us to Understand Jesus Signs?