The word translated first may mean more than the initial one in a series. It may mean that this is a “basic sign,” in that it is symbolic of the creative power of Jesus. This word reflects again one of the problems in translating this Gospel; John often appears to use words in more than one sense.

The Greek word rendered miracle in Good News Translation is translated “sign” in most translations. This word has a rich religious heritage, especially through its use in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It may denote something miraculous—though not always—but it always has a religious significance beyond the event itself. That is, a “sign” is a means of revealing a greater reality to which the “sign” itself merely points. The Gospel of John speaks of seven “signs” of Jesus, and these are “signs,” not necessarily because they are miracles, but because they point to a truth beyond themselves, to a truth regarding God’s salvation. Therefore, it is important that if possible the translator find a term which means not merely a miracle—but one which can carry the force of pointing beyond itself to a greater truth.

There are two types of expressions in receptor languages which frequently translate miracle. These focus either upon the greatness or magnitude of an event (for example, “mighty work” or “great deed”) or upon the reactions of those who witness such an event, for example, “a mouth-opening event” or “a long-necked thing” (implying that people stretched their necks in order to see). However, rather than employ a term which simply means “an unusual event,” it is better, as indicated in the above paragraph, to use an expression which will show that such an event has special significance or meaning. It is rendered in some languages “a great deed which reveals” or “a powerful work which teaches” or even “a miracle which tells something.”

On the word glory see 1.14. John interprets the incident in Cana as a revelation of Jesus’ glory in the sense that a certain aspect of his true nature is revealed in what he does here. The final and absolute revelation of Jesus’ glory comes only through his death and exaltation, but in some ways this miracle at Cana also is a revelation of his true nature. An immediate result of Jesus’ revelation of his glory is that his disciples believe in him. They believe because of the mighty work which they see Jesus perform.

There he revealed his glory may be rendered “there he showed how wonderful he was.” The final clause and his disciples believed in him may be rendered “and therefore his disciples believed in him” or “… came to trust him.” In many languages it is not enough to use a coordinate conjunction such as and; one must make the logical connection explicit. Otherwise, the text might seem to be denying such a meaningful relation.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .