Step 2: Word Studies

‘signs’ (v. 11)

• Lexical definitions (Strong’s #G4592) σημεῖον (sēmeion) 'sign': Strongs: (miraculous)

sign, signal, mark, token, by which anything is known or distinguished, Mt. 16:3; 24:3;
2Thess. 3:17; a token, pledge, assurance, Lk. 2:12; a proof, evidence, convincing token,
Mt. 12:38; 16:1; Jn. 2:18; in NT a sign, wonder, remarkable event, wonderful
appearance, extraordinary phenomenon, 1Cor. 14:22; Rev. 12:1, 3; 15:1; a portent,
prodigy, Mt. 24:30; Acts 2:19; a wonderful work, miraculous operation, miracle, Mt.
24:24; Mk. 16:17, 20; meton. a sign, a signal character, Lk. 2:34; Thayers: a sign, mark,
token, that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known, a
sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of
nature, of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen, of miracles and wonders
by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause
they are pleading is God’s

• ESV translated sign: 77x in the NT (17x used in the Book of John)

• Other translations: NASB ‘signs’; KJV ‘miracles’; NKJV ‘signs’; NIV ‘signs’

• Other passages word is used by John (all ESV):

Joh 2:11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his
disciples believed in him.
Joh 2:18 So the Jews said to him “What sign do you show us for doing these things?”
Joh 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when
they saw the signs that he was doing.
Joh 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him “Rabbi we know that you are a teacher
come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Joh 4:48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Joh 4:54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Joh 6:2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the
sick.
Joh 6:14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said “This is indeed the Prophet who
is to come into the world!”
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you you are seeking me, not because you saw
signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Joh 6:30 So they said to him “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What
work do you perform?
Joh 7:31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said “When the Christ appears, will he do
more signs than this man has done?”
Joh 9:16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others said “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among
them.
Joh 10:41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said
about this man was true.”
Joh 11:47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said “What are we to do?
For this man performs many signs.
Joh 12:18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.
Joh 12:37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
Joh 20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in
this book;

• Word Study resources: Colin Brown, New International Dictionary of NT Theology,

2:44-48. It carries the OT idea of God’s glory majesty and power. In reference to people
it emphasize the idea of giving honor and praise to the person.

• Summary of meaning: the idea here in this context is that of giving glory and honor to.
Jesus was being glorified by those around Him.

‘wedding’ (vv. 1, 2)

• Lexical definitions (Strong’s # G1062) γάμος (gamos): Strongs: wedding banquet (a

festive time in the community) wedding, a wedding; nuptial festivities, a marriage
festival; Thayers: marriage, matrimony, a wedding or marriage festival, a wedding
banquet, a wedding feast