him (20:31). Numerous though they were, they did not compel belief (11:47). Indeed, faith seems to be required in John to make a miracle a sign. John’s career as forerunner was marked by no signs whatever but by something much greater: Whatever he said about Jesus was true (10:41). Testimony, therefore, precedes signs in importance, although the signs occur to give testimony. It seems to be John’s considered view of the works which Jesus did that they are subordinate to belief in his words—words