Which event is the first sign in John's Gospel?
The first sign in John's Gospel is the marriage at Canaan, chapter 2, where He changed the water into wine. It is a sign, not merely a miracle, and it occurred before His crucifixion. John's Gospel contains eight signs, seven before the crucifixion and the eighth signifying Israel's future.
Les teaches that the number 8 in Scripture always denotes new beginnings, as seen in the 8 people on Noah's Ark. He explains that John's Gospel contains 8 signs: 7 before Jesus' crucifixion to complete what He was trying to get across to the nation, and the 8th signifying what is still in Israel's future. The first sign is the marriage at Canaan in chapter 2, where Jesus changed water into wine. Les notes that although it is a miracle, it is specifically a sign. At the wedding feast, the situation was that there was no wine, and wine in Scripture speaks of joy and joyfulness.