What is the Difference Between a Miracle and a Sign?
Quick Summary
In the Bible, a miracle is an extraordinary act of God that displays divine power, while a sign is a miracle with a message attached (an event meant to point beyond itself to God’s identity, purpose, or kingdom). All signs are miracles, but not all miracles function as signs. Understanding the difference clarifies how Scripture describes God’s work and why certain events, especially in the Gospel of John, carry theological meaning beyond the act itself.
Introduction
Throughout Scripture, God acts in ways that break into the ordinary patterns of life (opening seas, healing bodies, feeding multitudes, and raising the dead). These works are often called miracles, but in some places, especially in John’s Gospel, they are called signs.
The distinction is not merely linguistic. It helps explain how the Bible views God’s activity in the world. A miracle is an act of divine power. A sign is that act with a purpose: it reveals something about God, Jesus, or the kingdom.
This post explores the biblical difference between miracles and signs—and why that difference matters for interpretation.
What Is a Miracle?
A miracle is an extraordinary work of God that surpasses human ability and natural explanation. Miracles reveal God’s authority over creation, life, sickness, and death.
Key features of miracles:
They demonstrate God’s power.
They respond to human need—healing, liberation, provision.
They evoke awe from those who witness them.
They do not always carry an explicit message.
Examples of Miracles in the Bible
The Red Sea parting (Exodus 14)
Elijah calling down fire (1 Kings 18)
Jesus healing the blind and lame (Matthew 9)
Peter healing the beggar at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3)
These events show God acting decisively—but they do not always contain explicit symbolism or theological explanation.
What Is a Sign?
A sign is a miracle with intentional meaning built into it. A sign points beyond itself. It reveals something about God’s character, God’s kingdom, or the identity of Jesus.
Key features of signs:
They reveal who God is.
They confirm God’s messengers or covenant.
They carry symbolic weight.
They invite faith or expose unbelief.
Examples of Signs in Scripture
The rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:12–17)
The burning bush as a sign of God’s call to Moses (Exodus 3)
Hezekiah’s shadow sign (2 Kings 20:8–11)
Signs in the Gospel of John
John consistently uses the word sign (semeion) to describe Jesus’ miracles:
Water into wine (John 2)
Feeding the 5,000 (John 6)
Walking on water (John 6)
Healing the man born blind (John 9)
Raising Lazarus (John 11)
Each sign reveals Jesus’ identity: Messiah, Son of God, giver of life. John’s Gospel presents signs as theological windows rather than simple acts of power.
How Miracles and Signs Differ
1. Miracles display power; signs reveal meaning.
A miracle amazes. A sign teaches. The healing itself is miraculous; the message it conveys is the sign.
2. A miracle may stand alone; a sign always points beyond itself.
Jesus’ healing of ten lepers is a miracle, but only the Samaritan’s return becomes a sign of gratitude and faith.
3. Signs often confront the heart.
Signs call for decision. They unveil who Jesus is and expose whether people will believe.
Miracles may evoke wonder; signs demand response.
4. John’s Gospel elevates signs to reveal Jesus’ identity.
Where the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) emphasize Jesus’ power, John emphasizes revelation—Jesus showing who he is through signs.
Why This Difference Matters
It teaches us how to read Gospel narratives.
Miracles are not random acts of compassion. Many carry layered meaning and theological depth.
It helps avoid flattening the text.
When everything is called a miracle, we may miss what the biblical writers want us to see: God is revealing something.
It draws attention to Jesus’ identity.
The signs in John are not about spectacle. They draw the eye toward Jesus’ glory.
It shapes our expectations of God today.
We may desire miracles, but Scripture teaches us to look for signs—acts of God that reveal grace, truth, and purpose.
FAQs
Are all of Jesus’ miracles signs?
No. Some miracles in the Gospels are not called signs. But all signs are miracles.
Why does John prefer the word signs?
John is concerned with revelation—showing who Jesus is. Signs unveil Jesus’ identity more than they display raw power.
Do signs still happen today?
Christians believe God continues to act in ways that reveal grace and guide faith, though the form and frequency of signs vary across traditions.
