John 11:42
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me' — Jesus clarifies that His spoken thanksgiving is not for the Father's benefit (He already knows the Father hears Him always) but for the people's sake, so that they may believe and understand that the Father has sent the Son. The sign's purpose is revelation: the people are to understand from this miracle that Jesus is sent by the Father and speaks with the Father's authority.