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.

Who Jesus is — Thomas addresses the risen Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” This is one of the New Testament’s clearest direct divine confessions of Jesus and stands immediately before John explains why his selected signs were written.