“Semeia Source”

Thereis a theory known as the “Signs Source’ that claims the Gospel of John wasprimarily based on a previous writing. These writings, also known as the SemeiaSource, were believed to be a list of the miracles, or signs, performed byJesus. The theory claims that John, or another author, used this list as abasic outline for the Gospel of John.

Thistheory 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 Signsdocument contained more than just a list of miracles, but also contained thestory of Jesus’ life. In John 20:30-31, John writes,

“Jesus did manyother miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recordedin this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is theChrist, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”  

Themention that other signs were performed but not recorded in this book has ledsome to speculate that John is saying there is another book in which thesesigns were recorded.

This,of course, ignores the fact that John could have been referencing the othergospels, which mention many miracles not recorded in the Gospel of John. SinceJohn wrote his gospel last, he may not have seen the need to duplicate themiracles from the other gospels, and he included only a handful of miracles notlisted by the other evangelists.

Itis essential to note that there is no historical, archaeological, or scientificevidence to support the theory of a Signs Source. No copies of the “SignsGospel” 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 atheory based solely on the fact that John called the wondrous works of Jesus‘signs’ while the other gospels called them ‘miracles’. In most moderndiscussions, they are referred to as miraculous signs, which were intended toprove Jesus’ divinity and power over both the physical and spiritual realms.There is no evidence of any list of signs/miracles.