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The Gospel According to John, An Introduction Post #6

Signs The word “sign” (Grk s?main?, Strongs’ #G4591) is used in this gospel for miracle – the author lists seven of them. Each “sign” has been carefully chosen to guide the reader along the path of discovery to the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. These particular “signs” serve a specific didactic purpose. The first “sign” is the transformation of water into wine (2:1-11); presaging the replacement of ceremonial washing of the Jews with the sanctifying properties of the blood and Spirit of the New Covenant. The second “sign” was the healing of the nobleman’s son (4:46-54) by the word of Jesus from a distance, which demonstrates Jesus as the Word of Life. The third “sign,” the healing of the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda in chapter 5 draws the readers attention to the words of Jesus and compares them to the healing waters of the pool (5:1-9). The fourth “sign,” the feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (6:1-14), recalls the feeding of Israel in the wilderness with the manna and looks forward to the Eucharistic ministry of the Lord’s church. The fifth “sign,” walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee (6:18-20), recalls the crossing of the Red Sea by the children of Israel. These last two “signs” (feeding the 5,000 and walking on the water) symbolize a new Exodus (which is being led by Jesus – the prophet like unto Moses [De 18:15]), out of Judaism. The sixth “sign,” of the healing of the young man born blind (chapter 9), demonstrates the triumph of the Light of the World over darkness. The seventh “sign,” the raising of Lazarus (Chapter 11), demonstrates Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life.

Read the entire article at: http://mardavidingatius.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-gospel-according-to-john.html

Grace and Peace to you all;
? Mar David Ignatius