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Sevens in John

The Seven Feasts

  • The Synoptic gospels cover a lot of action north, in and around Galilee.
  • In contrast, John describes more action south in Judea, in and around Jerusalem, centered around the Feasts of the Jews

  1. 1st Passover (John 2:23) - refers back to the Exodus when the Lord’s angel passed over the Jews because of the blood of the Lamb.

  2. Purim (John 5:1,17) - connected to Queen Esther (Esther 9:20-32) and God’s deliverance of the Jews from their enemies. Jesus reveals this powerful truth in verse 17: “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

  3. 2nd Passover (John 6:4) - again connects Jesus with our Passover Lamb and our redemption from sins. John emphasizes the unleavened bread of Passover and that Jesus is our Living Bread.

  4. Tabernacles (John 7:2) - commemorated the 40 years that Israel wandered in the wilderness as punishment for their sins, reminding Israel that God had kept His promises and brought them safely into the Promised Land.

  5. “The Great Day” (John 7:37) - celebrated the eighth day, after Tabernacles (Lev. 23:36) as a special assembly of offering food to the Lord. Many people would be gathered in the Temple courts. Jesus gives the gospel in 3 words: Thirst. Come. Drink.

  6. Dedication (John 10:22) aka “Hanukkah” or the “Festival of Lights” - commemorates the Maccabees recapturing of the Temple from Antiochus Epiphanes, and referring to the time when the daily Menorah oil burned for 8 days.

  7. 3rd Passover (John 11:55) - shows that Jesus’ public ministry lasted 3 years. This is the beginning of the last seven days of Jesus life, called “Passion Week.” Our Passover Lamb is now headed to the cross.

The Seven Witnesses

  1. John the Baptist: “the Lamb of God” (John 1.29)
  2. Nathanael: “the Son of God, the King of Israel (John 1.49)
  3. Peter: “the Holy One of God” (John 6.69)
  4. Jesus: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10.30)
  5. Martha: “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11.27)
  6. Thomas: “my Lord and my God” (John 20.28)
  7. John: “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20.31)

The Seven Signs

  • John doesn’t use the word δύναμις (miracle) as the Synoptic gospels do
  • Instead he uses the word σημεῖον (sign)
  • Signs point to something. They SIGN-ify something else.
  • Imagine driving to Lake Tahoe, and stopping to marvel at the “100 miles to go” sign before you get there…
  1. The 1st sign: Changing the water to wine at the wedding in Cana (chapter 2)
  2. The 2nd sign: Healing the nobleman’s son (John 4.46-54)
  3. Healing a paralyzed man (chapter 5)
  4. Feeding the 5000 (chapter 6)
  5. Healing man blind from birth (chapter 9)
  6. Raising Lazarus from the dead (chapter 11)
  7. His own resurrection (chapter 20)

The Seven “I AM” statements

Hearkens directly back to Exodus 3 where God reveals His covenant name YHWH to Moses

“I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know of their sufferings. “So I have come down to deliver them (Exodus 3:7-8)

  • His faithful covenant love is bound up in His very name
  • These 7 statements are metaphorical, revealing the true nature of Jesus.
  • Each statement is followed by a blessing and benefit for those who are in Christ.

  1. I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever (John 6:35,48,51)

  2. I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12, 9:5)

  3. I AM the door of the sheep. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:7,9)

  4. I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I know my own and my own know me… (John 10:11,14)

  5. I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26)

  6. I AM the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

  7. I AM the true vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1,5)

The Seven other “I AM” statements woven into the story

In addition to the 7 metaphorical “I AM” statements by which Jesus reveals who He is, there are 7 other “I AM” statements specifically directed to the situation at hand.

  1. The woman *said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:25-26)

  2. they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He *said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:19-20)

  3. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)

  4. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He (John 8:28)

  5. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him (John 8:58-59)

  6. I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. (John 13:19)

  7. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” (John 18:4-5)


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