Source: Brian Neil Peterson, John’s Use of Ezekiel: Understanding the Unique Perspective of the Fourth Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2015), 65–97.
3. John's Gospel and Ezekiel.mp4
John’s Use of Signs and Ezekiel’s Sign Acts.wav
This podcast explores the striking similarities between the signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John and the sign acts of the prophet Ezekiel, arguing that John intentionally structured his gospel to mirror Ezekiel's ministry. The author suggests John likely selected specific signs to authenticate Jesus' divinity and messianic claims, much like Ezekiel's acts served to validate his prophetic message and Yahweh's authority. Both figures faced widespread unbelief and utilized symbolic actions to convey God's message, highlighting a shared rhetorical purpose and thematic connection between their ministries.
Many readers of the New Testament immediately notice that the Gospel of John feels different. Its narrative rhythm, its theological depth, and the specific miracles—or "signs"—it chooses to record set it apart from the other three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This uniqueness has led to centuries of study and debate, with scholars seeking to understand the mind and method of its author.
But what if this distinctiveness isn't random, but follows a deliberate, hidden blueprint from one of the Old Testament's most dramatic prophets? What if the key to understanding John's unique structure, his selection of signs, and even what he chose to omit lies not in a new tradition, but in an ancient one? The signs, structure, and themes in John's Gospel show a deep and surprising connection to the book of the prophet Ezekiel, suggesting it served as a foundational template for the fourth evangelist.