### The Sign - Turning Water To Wine At Cana The first sign John references complements the theme of newness found throughout the book's opening chapters. Jesus turning water into wine at Cana ([John 2:1-11](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.2.1-11)) reveals him as the source of life and inspires his newly called disciples to put their faith in him as the Messiah. In the Old Testament, water is often associated with the old covenant and ritual purification practices of Israel. The jars used for the water in this miracle were specifically employed for Jewish purification rites ([John 2:6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.2.6)), reflecting the traditional practices of the old covenant. This is similar to the ceremonial washings described in[Exodus 30:18-21](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.30.18-21), which were required for purification and access to God's presence. By turning this water into wine, Jesus is illustrating the transition from the old covenant to the new one, which He came to establish. This transformation also ties directly into Jesus’ declaration that He is the true vine ([John 15:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.15.1)) The wine represents the new covenant—joyful, abundant, and transformative, contrasting with the old system marked by ritualistic observance. This shift is akin to the prophetic vision in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JER.31.31-34), where God promises a new covenant that will bring a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. Through Jesus, the true vine, believers are grafted into a living relationship with God, bearing much fruit and experiencing the transformative power of the new covenant. satisfy. ### The Sign - Healing Of The Royal Officials Son In [John 4:46-54](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.4.46-54), the nobleman approaches Jesus in Galilee, pleading for Him to heal his sick son. Jesus responds, "Go. Your son will live." The nobleman believes Jesus' words and starts his journey home. On his way, his servants meet him with the news that his son was healed at the very hour Jesus spoke those words. This miracle affirms Jesus' claim to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." As the nobleman travels on his **way**, the healing of his son confirms the **truth** of Jesus' promise. The son’s recovery represents the **life** Jesus offers, demonstrating that He is indeed the path to God, the embodiment of divine truth, and the source of eternal life. ### The Sign - The Healing Of A Paralyzed Man At The Sheep Gate The sign that matches this "I Am" statement is found in [John 5:1-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.5.1-9), where Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. This gate was where sheep were brought for sacrifice at the temple. Jesus often refers to His people as sheep. Just as the paralyzed man was separated from healing and restoration at the Sheep Gate, unable to enter on his own, the people of God were separated from His presence by the curtain in the temple, which blocked the Holy of Holies. This separation represents sin and the barriers that keep humanity from God. The Holy of Holies, separated by a curtain (veil), was the most sacred place in the temple, and only the high priest could enter, once a year, to make atonement for the people ([Exodus 26:33](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.26.33); [Leviticus 16:2](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/LEV.16.2)). When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two ([Matthew 27:50-51](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.50-51)), symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Now, through Jesus, the true "door," all can access God's presence directly, just as the healed man could rise and walk freely. This sign points to Jesus as the one who opens the way to God, much like the torn curtain, granting full access to the divine presence and offering salvation to all who believe. ### The Sign - Jesus Feeds Five thousand The feeding of the five thousand ([John 6:1-15](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.1-15)) is the "sign that confirms Jesus' "**I am** the bread of life" claim ([John 6:35-51](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.35-51)), but also symbolically connects Him to God's provision for Israel. Just as God provided manna from heaven to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness ( [Exodus 16](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.16); [Numbers 11:6-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/NUM.11.6-9))., Jesus provides bread to feed the multitudes. The crowd’s recognition of Him as "the Prophet who is to come into the world" ([John 6:14](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.14)) demonstrates their acknowledgment of His divine authority, though their understanding remains focused on the physical miracle. The twelve baskets of leftovers ([John 6:13](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.13)) represent the twelve tribes of Israel. This detail signifies that Jesus, like God in the wilderness, is the ultimate provider for His people. While the Israelites received manna daily to sustain them physically, Jesus now offers Himself as the "living bread"([John 6:51](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.51)) that grants eternal life. His provision is abundant, just as the baskets were filled to overflowing, showing that His life is more than sufficient for all who believe. ### The Sign - Entering Room When Door Shut The event of Jesus entering a locked room after His resurrection ([John 20:19-31](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.20.19-31)) confirms His earlier statement, "**I am** the good shepherd" ([John 10:1-18](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.10.1-18)). In His initial teaching, Jesus contrasts the good shepherd, who enters through the door, with a thief, who sneaks in "some other way." However, in this resurrection appearance, Jesus enters the room despite the doors being locked, which resembles the behavior of a thief. This unusual act might seem to contradict His shepherd claim, but when viewed through the lens of substitution and role-switching, this act actually reinforces His identity as the good shepherd. The theme of twins and role-switching in the Old Testament helps to explain this. Thomas, whose name means "twin" (Didymus), is the only disciple named in this passage. In the Bible, twins often symbolize role reversals, like Jacob and Esau ([Genesis 25:24-26](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.25.24-26)), Perez and Zerah ([Genesis 38:27-30](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.38.27-30)), and Ephraim and Manasseh ([Genesis 48:13-20](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.48.13-20)). The story of Judah and Benjamin from [Genesis 43](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.43)-[44](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.44) is crucial for understanding Jesus' actions. In this story, Judah offers to take the place of his younger brother Benjamin, who is falsely accused of stealing Joseph’s silver cup. Judah willingly steps into Benjamin’s role as the "thief," offering to bear the punishment so that Benjamin can go free. This act of substitution foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice, where He takes the place of sinners. In [John 20](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.20), Thomas steps into the role of Benjamin as the "accused." He doubts Jesus' resurrection and demands to see and touch Jesus' wounds to believe. Here, Jesus mirrors Judah, becoming the substitute for those who are accused or doubting. By entering the locked room in an unexpected way, Jesus symbolizes taking on the appearance of a "thief" (as He did on the cross) to save His followers demonstrating His authority over the physical world (entering the room despite locked doors). This act affirms His earlier declaration as the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Through this sign, Thomas moves from doubt to faith. Just as Benjamin was accused but freed by Judah’s sacrifice, Thomas is spiritually freed from his doubt by encountering the risen Jesus. Thomas, the doubter, becomes the believer, declaring, "My Lord and my God!" ([John 20:28](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.20.28)). His transformation becomes a model of redemption, showing that even those who doubt can find faith through Christ’s revelation and sacrifice. ### The Sign - Healing The Man Born Blind The healing of the man born blind is the sign that confirms Jesus' claim as the "light of the world." In [John 9:1-11](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.9.1-11), Jesus heals a man blind from birth, using mud to restore his sight. This miracle not only physically restores the man’s vision but also symbolizes spiritual enlightenment. Jesus says, "We must do the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work" ([John 9:4](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.9.4)), highlighting His role as the light who brings clarity and salvation to a darkened world. ### The Sign - Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead In [John 11:1-44](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.11.1-44), the sign that Jesus performs is the dramatic resurrection of His friend Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. This miracle takes place in Bethany, where Jesus arrives after Lazarus has been entombed. Lazarus had been dead for four days, a period considered beyond hope for resurrection according to Jewish belief. But Jesus commands the stone to be removed from the tomb. Despite objections due to the potential stench of decomposition, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, and the dead man emerges, alive and well. This act of raising Lazarus from the dead directly validates Jesus' declaration in [John 11:25](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.11.25), where He claims, “**I am** the resurrection and the life.” By performing this miracle, Jesus demonstrates His authority over death and life, showcasing His power to not only restore life to the physically dead but also to offer eternal life to those who believe in Him. This event was so impactful that it prompted the Sanhedrin to intensify their plot against Jesus, seeing Him as a serious threat to their authority and the status quo.