What is the Signs Source
“Semeia Source”
There
is a theory known as the “Signs Source’ that claims the Gospel of John was
primarily based on a previous writing. These writings, also known as the Semeia
Source, were believed to be a list of the miracles, or signs, performed by
Jesus. The theory claims that John, or another author, used this list as a
basic outline for the Gospel of John.
This
theory is primarily based on John’s use of the term ‘signs’ rather than ‘miracles,’
as used in the other Gospels. Some go even further and believe this Signs
document contained more than just a list of miracles, but also contained the
story of Jesus’ life. In John 20:30-31, John writes,
“Jesus did many
other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded
in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The
mention that other signs were performed but not recorded in this book has led
some to speculate that John is saying there is another book in which these
signs were recorded.
This,
of course, ignores the fact that John could have been referencing the other
gospels, which mention many miracles not recorded in the Gospel of John. Since
John wrote his gospel last, he may not have seen the need to duplicate the
miracles from the other gospels, and he included only a handful of miracles not
listed by the other evangelists.
It
is essential to note that there is no historical, archaeological, or scientific
evidence to support the theory of a Signs Source. No copies of the “Signs
Gospel” have ever been found. No fragments of this document have been found,
and the early church fathers and writers do not mention it. This seems to be a
theory based solely on the fact that John called the wondrous works of Jesus
‘signs’ while the other gospels called them ‘miracles’. In most modern
discussions, they are referred to as miraculous signs, which were intended to
prove Jesus’ divinity and power over both the physical and spiritual realms.
There is no evidence of any list of signs/miracles.
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