"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know -- ...." Acts 4:22

 A. Signs, Wonders, and Miracles

1. There are 3 passages that use all three of these terms in the same verse. They are Acts 2:22; 2 Corinthians 12:12; and Hebrews 2:4. What are your preliminary thoughts about what they mean?



2. Frequently the word translated "signs" is the Greek word semeion (4592). Click on the link, look at several of the occurrences, and develop your own tentative definition:



3. Frequently the word translated "wonders" is the Greek word teras (5059). Click on the link, look at several of the occurrences, and develop your own tentative definition:






4. Frequently the word translated "miracles" is the Greek word dunamis (1411). Click on the link, look at several of the occurrences, and develop your own tentative definition:



5. Before we go any further, we should look at one special-case passage. That passage is 2 Thess. 2:9. It also uses these same three words. But it also adds a fourth word at the very end, literally -- of a lie (pseudos, 5579). How do you account for this twist in meaning? (Hint: you better look at the context before you answer.)

1. One of the themes of the Gospel of John is that of "Signs" (semeion, 4592). In fact, "signs" occupy a major purpose in the progress of the book (John 20:30). I believe it is accurate to say that these "signs" are "miracles with a meaning." Another way to say it is that "signs have significance." They are not just random miracles. They have a point to prove. It is our task to discover what that point is.

2. What was the first sign recorded by John? (John 2:11, cf. John 2:1-10)


3. The Jews questioned Jesus' authority to do what He had done (John 2:18).


4. Why did people at the Passover Feast in Jerusalem believe in Jesus' name (John 2:23)?

5. What did the inquiring Nicodemus conclude about Jesus, watching the signs Jesus had been performing (John 3:1-2)?

6. About what concerning the Jewish people did Jesus complain (John 4:47-48)?


7. Why did a large crowd follow Jesus (John 6:1-2)?

8. When Jesus had fed 5,000 men with 5 barley loaves and two fish (John 6:3-13), what did the people conclude about Jesus (John 6:14)? Were they correct?

9. The next day after this miracle the crowd came to Capernaum looking for Jesus (John  6:22-25). Jesus was critical of them. Why (John 6:26)?


10. Jesus finally made an appearance at the Feast of Booths and began to teach (John 7:14-30). The rulers wanted to seie him, but failed to do so. However, many in the crowd believed in Him. Why (John 7:31)?

11. On the Sabbath day, Jesus healed a man born blind (John 9:1-14).



12. What was the climactic miracle Jesus performed (John 11:1-44)?


13. Six days before Passover, Jesus returned to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 12:1-2).


14. The event that we call "The Triumphal Entry" took place (John 12:12-15).


15. What was the lament of John the Apostle about the people of Israel as a whole (John 12:37)?


16. What was the Apostle John's statement about what Jesus had done during His ministry (John 20:30)?


17. Are you prepared to assign a reason for Jesus performing all His signs? He performed them so people would believe that He is the ___________, the ______ of God, and that if they are ______________ they will have __________ in His name (John 20:30,31).

(Scripture quotation taken from the NASB 1995)