What is the difference between a sign and a wonder in the Bible?

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.

Astrology in Bible

First answer by Itchie.c2. Last edit by Itchie.c2. Contributor trust: 710 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 14 [recommend question]