Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  1000 God  »  1400 God, knowledge of  »  1448 signs  »  1450 signs, kinds of

Signs are miraculous events, supernatural phenomena or everyday things that are given a special significance. The term is used in John's Gospel to describe the miracles of Jesus Christ.

Miraculous signs

2 Corinthians 12:12 See also Exodus 10:1; Psalm 78:43; Psalm 105:27; Matthew 24:24 pp Mark 13:22; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:43; Romans 15:19

The signs of Jesus Christ in John's Gospel

John 2:11 John refers to the miracles of Jesus Christ as “signs” in order to bring out the significance of these deeds. See also John 6:26 Jesus Christ, the bread of life; John 9:16 Jesus Christ, the light of the world; John 11:47 Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life

Jesus Christ refers to Jonah as a sign

Matthew 12:39-41 pp Luke 11:29-32

Prophetic signs

Exodus 3:12 See also 1 Samuel 10:7-9; 1 Kings 13:1-5; 2 Kings 19:29 pp Isaiah 37:30; Isaiah 7:14-17; Isaiah 8:18; Isaiah 19:19-20; Luke 2:12

Signs of protection

Exodus 12:13,23; Joshua 2:12-13,17-21

Signs given to guarantee promises

The rainbow

Genesis 9:12 See also Genesis 9:13-17

Circumcision

Genesis 17:10-11 See also Genesis 17:12-14; Romans 4:11

Signs serve as reminders of past blessings

Monuments

Joshua 4:4-7

Religious observances

Passover:

Exodus 13:9,16

Sabbath:

Exodus 31:12-17; Ezekiel 20:12,20

Signs associated with the birth of Jesus Christ

The virgin birth

Isaiah 7:14 See also Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:34-36

The birthplace

Luke 2:12 See also Luke 2:7,16

The star

Matthew 2:1-2 See also Matthew 2:9-10

Signs associated with the death of Jesus Christ

Darkness at midday

Matthew 27:45 pp Mark 15:33 pp Luke 23:44-45 See also Amos 8:9

The curtain of the temple torn in two

Matthew 27:51 pp Mark 15:38 pp Luke 23:45

The dead came back to life

Matthew 27:51-53

Signs associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit

The sound like a violent wind

Acts 2:2

Tongues of fire

Acts 2:3

Speaking in other languages

Acts 2:4 See also Acts 2:5-11

Signs associated with the second coming of Jesus Christ

General signs

Matthew 24:3-8 pp Mark 13:4-8 pp Luke 21:7-11

Signs preceding the second coming

See also Matthew 24:9-24 pp Mark 13:9-22 pp Luke 21:12-24

Signs simultaneous with the second coming

Matthew 24:27-31 pp Mark 13:24-27 pp Luke 21:25-27; Luke 17:24; Acts 2:19-20; Joel 2:30-31; 2 Peter 3:12-13

False signs

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 See also Isaiah 44:25; Matthew 24:24 pp Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:11-14; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:20

See also

1416  miracles
1427  prophecy
2351  Christ, miracles
2363  Christ, preaching & teaching
2515  Christ, birth of
2530  Christ, death of
2565  Christ, second coming
3257  Holy Spirit, gift of
4845  rainbow
9115  antichrist, the
9170  signs of times
9312  resurrection, significance of Christ's