Thomas Confesses; John States His Purpose

Thomas refuses second-hand testimony unless he sees Jesus’ wounds, and Jesus later meets his demand while calling him to faith. Thomas answers with the Gospel’s climactic confession: “My Lord and my God.” Jesus blesses those who have not seen yet believe, turning from the first witnesses toward later readers. John then states why the signs were written: that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing have life in his name. This purpose statement governs the entire book: signs, Scripture, testimony, and explanation are all ordered toward faith and life.

How many miracles? A traditional Gospel harmony can count thirty-seven distinct ministry episodes, but Scripture never gives “37” as Jesus’ total. The Gospels also summarize whole crowds being healed, and John says Jesus did many other signs that were not written down. Miraculous events in Jesus’ life such as the Transfiguration and Ascension are usually classified separately from the ministry miracles he performs for others. The safest wording is therefore “37 recorded episodes by one common counting method,” not “Jesus performed only 37 miracles.” Likewise, “John’s seven signs” is a useful study outline, but John explicitly numbers only the beginning/first sign and the second sign; he never supplies a complete numbered list of seven.