Which statement about the signs in John's Gospel is most accurate?

• A. They are primarily about the forgiveness of sins rather than revealing divine glory.
• B. They reveal Jesus' divine glory and call for faith.
• C. They are a later addition not found in the earliest manuscripts.
• D. They only occur in the final chapter.

Answer: (B)

In John’s Gospel, the signs function to reveal Jesus’ divine glory and to move people toward faith. John curates miracles not just as impressive acts but as visible signs that disclose Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. Each sign is meant to point beyond the event to who Jesus is and to invite a response of belief.

Consider how the signs unfold: the water turned into wine at Cana begins to display Jesus’ glory and signals a new, abundant revelation of life in him; subsequent signs—such as healed officials’ sons, the feeding of the crowd, and even Lazarus’ raised life—continue to reveal his authority over creation, illness, nature, and death. Across these signs, the pattern is clear: glory is disclosed, and faith is stirred. This aligns with John’s stated purpose that readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in his name.

The idea that these signs are primarily about forgiving sins isn’t how John frames them; his theological aim centers on unveiling Jesus’ divine nature and prompting trust in him. And they’re not late additions or confined to the final chapter; signs occur throughout the gospel, building a coherent picture of who Jesus is and how one should respond.