What is the difference between a sign and a miracle?

Answer 1

They are almost the same. All signs are miracles, but not all miracles are signs.

In the New Testament four Greek words are used for' miracles':

(1.) Semeion, a "sign"; an evidence of a divine commission or message ; a token of the presence and working of God; the seal of a higher power.

( See Mat_12:38-42; Mat_16:1-4 ; Luk_23:8; Joh_2:11, etc.)

(2.) Terata, "wonders;" wonder-causing events; producing astonishment in the beholder (Act_2:19).

(3.) Dunameis, "might[y] works;" works of superhuman power (Act_2:22; Rom_15:19; 2Th_2:9); of a new and higher power.

(4.) Erga, "works;" the works of Him who is "wonderful in working" (Joh_5:20, Joh_5:36).

A 'miracle' is not repeatable in Nature. It is defined in one dictionary as:

" An event that is contrary to the established laws of nature and attributed to a supernatural cause" and in another as "something requiring the suspension or violation of the laws of nature."

A 'sign' is a miracle: it can strengthen a person's faith, be prophetic, and be something to point you to God; however, a sign can be deliberately ignored.

It may help to think of a 'sign' as a 'signpost' : you can look at a signpost and either ignore it or disbelieve it - that is what the Pharisees did. They saw the same miracles as everybody else, but the Pharisees did not want to believe these proofs that Jesus was God in the flesh.

If you don't believe in miracles, then you've missed the signpost.

Answer 2

Acts 2:22 is one example of a verse that uses "signs," "miracles," and "wonders": "Men of Israel, listen to this. Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know." The word "wonders" here is the Greek word teras, which refers to a "prodigy" or "omen," and is usually translated "wonder" in the King James Version. The word "signs" is semeion, which refers to an "indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally;" it can be translated "miracle," "sign," "wonder," or "token." The word "miracles" here is dunamis, which refers to a "force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself)," and can be translated "ability," "abundance," "meaning," "might" or "mighty deed," "miracle" or "worker of miracles," "power," "strength," or "violence." The Old Testament contains Hebrew words with similar meaning and focus. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary all of the above words, plus one or two others, are often used interchangeably to point to "miracles," or events of a divine nature. A "sign" is usually a particular event, action, or token attesting to the presence and working of God. A "wonder" is a wonder or awe inspiring event, or a portent or omen, that produces astonishment in the beholder. "Mighty works" refer to works of a superhuman or higher power. It sounds like "wonders" tend to be more public, in general, than "signs" or "miracles" (dunamis). One idea about the difference between a "sign" and a "miracle" is that a "miracle" is quite personal, such as a miraculous healing or Peter's finding a coin in a fish's mouth, while a "sign" was something more general, though not necessarily significant to all. In general, though, the Greek words mentioned above, along with their Hebrew counterparts in the Old Testament, seem to be used relatively interchangeably. Gen.1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: Jg.5:20 The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. Mt.2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Lk.21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars.