The Seventh Sign of Isa
Recap: You already know that the Quran shows us that:
- Isa was born of a virgin
- Isa performed miracles
- Isa was not killed
- Isa was taken alive to Allah
- Isa will return on Judgement Day
No other prophet in Islam is described this way.
Now you also know:
- Isa can create
- Isa’s word has authority over sickness
- Isa can restore strength to the helpless
- Isa can provide bread for a vast crowd
- Isa has authority even over the forces of nature
- Isa can give sight to those who were blind
In the Injil, John records seven carefully chosen signs. Each sign reveals something deeper about who Isa is and invites the reader to consider how to respond.
The seventh and final sign takes place in a village called Bethany.
A man named Lazarus — a close friend of Isa — becomes very sick and dies.
By the time Isa arrives, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days.
The situation appears completely hopeless.
Yet Isa speaks to the grieving family and makes a remarkable statement.
He says that he himself is the resurrection and the life.
This final sign raises the most profound question yet:
If Isa has authority even over death, who exactly is he?
Read the Scripture below:
John 11:38–44
Isa, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” he said.
“But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”
Then Isa said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of Allah?”
So they took away the stone.
Then Isa looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Isa called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Isa said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Observation first — What does the Scripture say?
Before drawing conclusions, we first carefully observe what the text actually says.
What is happening in the story?
- Lazarus, a friend of Isa, has died.
- He has already been in the tomb for four days.
- Isa arrives and asks for the stone to be removed.
- Martha warns that the body has already begun to decay.
- Isa prays and thanks Allah for hearing him.
- Isa calls Lazarus by name.
- Lazarus comes out of the tomb alive.
- The people remove the burial cloths.
Important details to notice
- Lazarus was not merely sick — he was already dead.
- Four days had passed, confirming the reality of death.
- Isa publicly prays before performing the sign.
- Isa calls Lazarus by name.
- The miracle happens immediately when Isa speaks.
Interpretation second: — Is there something we can learn about Isa?
Now we ask: what might this sign reveal about Isa?
Authority even over death
Earlier signs showed Isa’s authority over sickness, provision, nature, and blindness.
In this final sign, Isa demonstrates authority over death itself.
Lazarus had been dead for four days. Yet when Isa speaks, life returns.
“I am the resurrection and the life”
Earlier in the chapter Isa makes a remarkable declaration.
John 11:25
Isa said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
This means the miracle is not only about Lazarus. It points to a deeper claim about Isa himself.
The final sign that leads to the cross
According to John’s Gospel, this miracle becomes the turning point.
After Lazarus is raised, many people believe in Isa.
At the same time, the religious authorities decide that Isa must be stopped.
The final sign therefore leads directly to the events that follow — Isa’s arrest and crucifixion.
Implication last: What might this mean for you?
You have now read the Scripture and considered what this sign might reveal about Isa.
Take a moment to reflect personally.
- What stands out to you most in this story?
- Why do you think Isa waited before coming to Bethany?
- What does raising Lazarus suggest about Isa’s authority?
- Why might Isa describe himself as “the resurrection and the life”?
- If Isa truly has authority even over death, what might that mean?
The Seven Signs — What Do They Point To?
You have now seen the seven signs recorded in the Gospel of John.
Each sign reveals something about Isa’s authority:
- authority over creation
- authority over sickness
- authority to restore the helpless
- authority to provide bread
- authority over the forces of nature
- authority to give sight
- authority even over death
John explains why these signs were recorded in John 20:30–31.
Read the purpose of these signs
The Injil explains that Isa performed many other signs as well, but these particular signs were written so that readers may recognise who Isa truly is and come to believe in him.
These signs are therefore not only miracles — they are signposts pointing to Isa’s identity and inviting a response.
Now that you have seen all seven signs together, it may be worth pausing to ask:
- What do these signs suggest about who Isa really is?
- Why do you think John chose these particular signs?
- If these signs reveal Isa’s true identity, what response might they invite?
Continuing the Journey
This was the seventh and final sign recorded by John.
These seven signs lead the reader to the central question of John’s Gospel: who is Isa, and how should we respond to him?
What will your response to Allah be:
➡︎ Next Step: Learning to follow Isa
⬅︎ Previous Sign: The Sixth Sign — Light for Those Who Cannot See
↩︎ Return to: John’s Road — Seven Signs of Isa
↩︎ Return to: Home Page and continue to investigate the Injil more
Comments