Content:
- Miracle
- Healing
- General
- Blind People
- Lepers
- Paralytics
- Women
- Other Healing
- Resurrections
- Control over Nature
- Miracle with Positive Reactions
- Miracle with Negative Reaction
- Exorcism
- Background
- Examples of Exorcism
- Why Miracle
Miracle
Jesus' miracles were supernatural acts. The majority were healing, resurrections, nature control, and exorcism. They are prophesied in the
Old Testament, see Messiah's Ministry on Earth in The Prophecies of Isaiah.
They are described in The Four Gospels and are actual historical events. See time 6:02–7:20 in Matthew 9: The Opposition Begins, the Ministry Continues.
Healing
Healing the sick was one of the dominant factors in Jesus' ministry (Mat 4:23).
Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and afflictions (Mat 9:35).
General
a suffering Messiah. Even Jesus' disciples believed that this might be the case. Jesus denied it (John 9:2–3), see Blind People below. Job's three friends made the same mistake. They pointed to Job's circumstances as an expression of God's disfavor and punishment. They falsely told Job that he had messed up and sinned and therefore had to suffer, see The Book of Job. Even the religious leaders despised these people because they considered them under God's curse, see Jesus Denouncement of the Jewish Religious Leaders.
There are people even in our time who believe that people's tragic and painful situations are due to some specific act of sin in their lives or in the lives of their relatives. Even many Christians believe that the difficulties they experience are punishments from God. That it's God's wrath that causes them to suffer. It's not biblical, and according to Jesus, completely wrong. Jesus was punished for our sins. When Jesus said on the cross: "It is finished" (John 19:30, Mark 15:37), he had paid the price for our sins, see The Crucifixion of Jesus.
That's not why we sometimes suffer. The reason may be to train us and to give us discipline, see the first part of The Book of James. God disciplines those he loves (Heb 12:6a). The purpose is to shape us to become more like Jesus Christ through these difficulties. Another reason is that we live in a fallen world, see The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man.
See also:
Blind People
Jesus heals a blind man from Bethsaida. Jesus takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the city, puts some spit on his eyes and lays his hands on him. Since the man doesn't see perfectly afterwards, Jesus repeats the procedure, resulting in clear and perfect eyesight. (Mark 8:22–26). See the repetition explained at time 14:44–17:48 in Mark 8:11-33 – Coming to See.
Jesus heals two blind men near Jericho. Jesus touches their eyes and immediately they can see. One of them is the blind beggar named Bartimaeus near Jericho. He is one of the few recipients of healing whose name is mentioned. One reason could be that he was definitely saved and served the Christian Church during his lifetime. Jesus tells him that his faith had healed him. He then immediately regains his sight and follows Jesus. See time 21:36–22:44 in Math And The Bible. (Mat 20:29–34, Mark 10:46–52, Luke 18:35–43).
Jesus heals two blind men when Jesus preaches in Galilee. At this point, Jesus asks the blind men if they believe that he can heal them. When they assure Jesus they do, he commends their faith and touches their eyes and restores
their sight. (Mat 9:27–31).
Jesus heals a man blind from birth. Jesus mixes spit with dirt to make a mud mixture, which he then puts on the man's eyes. He instructs the man to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. When the man does this, he can see. When Jesus is asked by his disciples whether the cause of the blindness is the sin of the man's father or mother, Jesus states that it's neither. The reason was that God's work would be shown on him. (John 9:1–11); see this man's transformation into a follower of Jesus at time 26:10–28:10 in
John 9:17-41 - Opposite of ignorance. The Pharisees didn't understand this. They just criticized Jesus for doing this on a Sabbath (John 9:12–41),
see the 4th commandment in The Ten Commandments.
The man's blindness was permitted by God so that the works of God would be displayed in him (John 9:3). This man is a picture for all of us, see Laodicea in The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. It shows how God works in people who come to him, how he brings their lives from blindness to a place of spiritual sight (Col 1:13–14), see Typology and The Book of Colossians. Jesus said: "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind" (John 9:39–41):
- We are all born spiritually blind and can't "see" (Psalm 51:5 (7 in some translations), John 3:19, 9:39–41, Mat 6:22–23),
see The Fall of Man in The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. - It's possible for someone who is spiritually blind to turn to the Lord and have that blindness removed. "When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." (2 Cor 3:16).
- Jesus is the one who opens blind eyes (Psalm 146:8a).
He gives us spiritual light and sight (John 8:12, 9:4–5), see Salvation. - We must respond by faith (John 9:6–7). Salvation is a free gift
(Eph 2:8–9), but we must respond to it, receive Jesus in our heart
(John 1:12). - We are made a new creation (2 Cor 5:17, John 9:8–9). But because of
our old nature, we sometimes mess things up and make mistakes
(1 John 8, 10, Rom 7:15–20), see The Book of John. - We are given spiritual insight (John 9:25b, 30–33, 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Pet 2:9).
- We will be persecuted by those who refuse to believe in Christ
(John 9:22b, 34, 15:18–20a, 1 Pet 4:12–16, Acts 5:40–41).
There will be a reward in Heaven for those who suffer for Jesus
(Mat 5:10–12, 1 Pet 4:13, Rom 8:16–18, Col 1:24). - We understand that Jesus is worthy of our worship (John 9:35–38,
Col 1:13–14, 1 Pet 2:9), see How should we worship God? in
The Woman's Place in the Congregation.
Lepers
(Mark 1:40–44, Mat 8:1–4, Luke 5:12–14, Lev (3 Mos) 14:2f).
Jesus heals ten lepers. Jesus sends them directly to the priests. They are healed when they obey Jesus and go. (Luke 17:11–19, Lev (3 Mos) 14:2f).
Paralytics
Jesus heals a paralyzed man at Capernaum. The paralyzed man is brought to Jesus on a bed (probably a sleeping mat). Jesus is in a house at the time, and the man has to be lowered through the roof by his friends because of the crowds blocking the door. Jesus says to him: "Rise, take up your bed and go home", and the man did so, and he was healed. (Mark 2:1–12, Mat 9:1–8, Luke 5:17–26). See also Whose Sin can We Forgive?
Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus says to him: "Get up, take your bed and walk". The man is instantly healed and able to do so. (John 5:2–9). Jesus was then criticized by the Jews for doing this on the Sabbath (John 5:10–18).
Jesus' answer was: "My Father is working until now, and I work."
Jesus' answer was: "My Father is working until now, and I work."
Women
Jesus heals a bleeding woman. Jesus was approached by a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. When she touched Jesus' cloak, she was immediately healed. Jesus felt that power had gone out of him and said to her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". (Mark 5:25–34, Mat 9:20–22, Luke 8:43–48).
Jesus heals the mother of Peter's wife when he visits Peter's and Andrew's house in Capernaum. He stood over her and rebuked the fever, took her by the hand and lifted her up. The fewer left her and she was healed.
(Mark 1:29–31, Mat 8:14–15, Luke 4:38–39).
(Mark 1:29–31, Mat 8:14–15, Luke 4:38–39).
Other Healing
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath. Jesus first asks the scribes and Pharisees: "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" Jesus then answers his own question: "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Jesus then says to the man: "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretches it out, and it's restored, healthy like the other.
(Mark 3:1–6, Mat 12:9–14, Luke 6:6–11).
(Mark 3:1–6, Mat 12:9–14, Luke 6:6–11).
Jesus heals a man with dropsy on a Sabbath. Jesus first asks the lawyers and Pharisees: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" Jesus then takes hold of the man, heals him, sends him on his way, and says: "If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?" (Luke 14:1–6).
Showing mercy triumphs over following rules and regulations
(Mat 9:13, 12:3–8).
(Mat 9:13, 12:3–8).
Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Jesus first touched the man's ears and touched his tongue after spitting, and then said
"Be opened". (Mark 7:31–35).
"Be opened". (Mark 7:31–35).
Jesus heals the High Priest's servant Malchus, in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:47, Mat 26:51–54, Luke 22:50–51, John 18:10–11).
Jesus heals a Centurion's servant in Capernaum. Jesus said to the man:
"Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed
at that very moment. (Mat 8:5–13, Luke 7:1–10).
See this miracle further described in Faith, Hope, and Agape Love.
Jesus heals the son of a nobleman in Cana of Galilee. Jesus said to him: "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. When he went down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. When he asked them the hour when he began to get better, they told him that it was at the hour when Jesus had said to him: "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:46–54).
"Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed
at that very moment. (Mat 8:5–13, Luke 7:1–10).
See this miracle further described in Faith, Hope, and Agape Love.
Jesus heals the son of a nobleman in Cana of Galilee. Jesus said to him: "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. When he went down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. When he asked them the hour when he began to get better, they told him that it was at the hour when Jesus had said to him: "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:46–54).
Jesus heals in the land of Gennesaret. All who touched his garment were healed. (Mark 6:53–56, Mat 14:34–36).
Jesus heals lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others (Mat 15:30–31).
Resurrections
Jesus resurrects the only daughter of Jairus who was twelve years old.
He took her by the hand and told her: "Little girl, I say to you arise".
The girl immediately got up and started walking.
He took her by the hand and told her: "Little girl, I say to you arise".
The girl immediately got up and started walking.
(Mark 5:22–24, 35–42, Mat 9:18–19, 23–25, Luke 8:41–42, 49–55).
Jesus resurrects the only son of the widow of Nain. He said to the young man: "Young man, I say to you, arise". And the dead man sat up and began to speak. (Luke 7:11–15).
Jesus resurrects Lazarus of Bethany four days after his burial. He cries out with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come out". Lazarus comes out with his hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a close. Jesus says to them: "Unbind him, and let him go". (John 11:17–44).
For detailed information, see The Death of Lazarus.
For detailed information, see The Death of Lazarus.
Control over Nature
Miracle with Positive Reactions
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding. When the host runs out of wine, Jesus tells the host's servants to fill six vessels with water. A sample is then taken out and taken to the master of the banquet, who pronounces the contents of the vessels to be the best wine of the banquet. (John 2:1–10). This was the first of his signs (John 2:11a). It strengthened the faith of his disciples (John 2:11b).
A miraculous catch of fish takes place early in Jesus' ministry, see
Jesus Calling of His Twelve Apostles. It results in Peter, Andrew, John,
and James join Jesus as his disciples. (Luke 5:4–11).
Jesus Calling of His Twelve Apostles. It results in Peter, Andrew, John,
and James join Jesus as his disciples. (Luke 5:4–11).
Jesus calms a storm. The disciples wake Jesus during a storm. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea: "Peace! Be still!", and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith.
(Mark 4:35–41, Mat 8:23–27, Luke 8:22–25).
(Mark 4:35–41, Mat 8:23–27, Luke 8:22–25).
Jesus feeding the multitude. Jesus uses just a few bread and a few fish to feed thousands of men, along with an unspecified number of women and children. There are several baskets of leftovers afterwards:
- 5000 men, besides women and children, are fed with five loaves and two fish (Mark 6:35–44, Mat 14:15–21, Luke 9:12–17, John 6:5–13).
- 4000 men, besides women and children, are fed with seven loaves and some small fish (Mark 8:4–9, Mat 15:33–38).
Finding a four-drachma coin in a fish mouth to be able to pay the two-drachma temple tax for him and for Peter (Mat 17:24–27). Jesus could have said that he didn't have to pay this tax because it's not mentioned in the Mosaic Laws, it was a made-man rule, and also because he is the Son of God (Mat 17:25b–26). The reason he still did it was so as not to cause offense that might prevent them from believing in him and being saved (Mat 17:27a), see Disputable Matters
in The Book of Romans. As Christians we should pay our taxes (Rom 13:6–7), see This World is Not Our Home in The Book of Romans.
The catch of 153 fish (John 21:4–13), see The Resurrection of Jesus.
Miracle with Negative Reaction
Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had no fruit, and it immediately withered
(Mark 11:12–14, 20–21, Mat 21:18–19). This is the only miracle that Jesus did that has a negative reaction. One message with this event is to be aware of false prophets, see Beware of false prophets in The Sermon on the Mount.
By the fruits of their lives we will recognize them (Mat 7:15–16). To be able to do that, we need to be a fruit inspector. Another message is that he wants to see good fruit in our lives, see Sanctification.
(Mark 11:12–14, 20–21, Mat 21:18–19). This is the only miracle that Jesus did that has a negative reaction. One message with this event is to be aware of false prophets, see Beware of false prophets in The Sermon on the Mount.
By the fruits of their lives we will recognize them (Mat 7:15–16). To be able to do that, we need to be a fruit inspector. Another message is that he wants to see good fruit in our lives, see Sanctification.
The fig tree is also a picture of the nation of Israel, see
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree in Jesus' Last Days before his Crucifixion.
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree in Jesus' Last Days before his Crucifixion.
Exorcism
Background
Demons (also called evil spirits) are actually fallen angels. They are spiritual beings created by God. Satan rebelled in the beginning and then influenced a third of the angels in Heaven to follow him (Rev 12:4). Having lost their ability to transform into a human body on Earth, they need a host body to live out their sin nature. See Tartarus in What Does the Bible Say about Hell?
and Explanation to Satan's Attack on the Woman in the Book of Revelation.
Demon possession means that one or more demons have direct/complete control over a person's thoughts and/or actions. Demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. Born again believers in Christ can't be possessed by demons or be demonized, because they already have the Holy Spirit and then there is no room for demon (1 John 5:18b, Mat 12:43–45).
There is no example in the Bible of a Christian believer being possessed by a demon. Demon oppression or influence means that a demon or demons attack a person spiritually and/or encourage him/her to sinful behavior. Christians can be oppressed or influenced by demons, but then we must resist them
(James 4:7, 1 Pet 5:8–9, Eph 6:12). The answer to a Christian believer struggling with sin is repentance and resistance (James 4:7). See also the video: Derek Prince Says He Was a Demon Possessed Christian.
There is no example in the Bible of a Christian believer being possessed by a demon. Demon oppression or influence means that a demon or demons attack a person spiritually and/or encourage him/her to sinful behavior. Christians can be oppressed or influenced by demons, but then we must resist them
(James 4:7, 1 Pet 5:8–9, Eph 6:12). The answer to a Christian believer struggling with sin is repentance and resistance (James 4:7). See also the video: Derek Prince Says He Was a Demon Possessed Christian.
It's extremely important that we don't allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone we thought was a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should make us question the authenticity of his/her faith, see time 32:43–34:06 in Bible Q&A with Pastor Paul │ October 2023. It shouldn't make us to alter our view of whether a Christian can be demon possessed/demonized. It may also be the case that the person is really a Christian but is severely demon-oppressed and/or suffers from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must pass the test of Scripture, not the other way around. See what's behind pagan gods at time 7:05–8:34 in Bible Q&A with Pastor Paul │February 2024.
See the meaning of spiritual warfare (Mat 12:29, Mark 3:27, Luke 11:22) at
time 11:58–17:49 in Matthew 12:22-50: The Great Danger of Opposing Jesus.
time 11:58–17:49 in Matthew 12:22-50: The Great Danger of Opposing Jesus.
There are basically three main reasons why we see less demon possession in the western world today, compared to Israel at the time of Jesus:
- There are more demon possessions in the western world than we think.
- It makes a difference that the western world has been influenced by the Gospel for so many hundreds of years.
- It's part of Satan's strategy to keep himself and demons more invisible to prevent people from believing in spirit beings, and by doing so prevent people from coming to faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Examples of Exorcism
Jesus casts out an evil spirit in the synagogue in Capernaum. It cries out,
"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus says sternly to the
evil spirit: "Be quiet! Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and comes out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:23–26, Luke 4:33–35).
Jesus casts demons out of two men at the country of the Gerasenes.
When Jesus asks the demon's name, he receives the answer Legion, because they were many demons. The demons ask to be cast out into a nearby group of pigs instead of being sent out of the area and not to be sent to the Abyss (Luke 8:31) (also called Tartarus (2 Pet 2:4 (YLT), Jude 1:6). Jesus obliges, but the pigs then run into the lake and drown.
(Mark 5:1–13, Mat 8:28–32, Luke 8:26–33).
Jesus exorcises a woman's daughter while travelling in the region of Tyre and Sidon, because of the woman's faith. A Gentile woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter, but Jesus refuses, saying that he has only been sent to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel". The woman persists and says that "dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table". Jesus answers her: "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter."
(Mark 7:24–30, Mat 15:21–28).
evil spirit: "Be quiet! Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and comes out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:23–26, Luke 4:33–35).
Jesus casts demons out of two men at the country of the Gerasenes.
When Jesus asks the demon's name, he receives the answer Legion, because they were many demons. The demons ask to be cast out into a nearby group of pigs instead of being sent out of the area and not to be sent to the Abyss (Luke 8:31) (also called Tartarus (2 Pet 2:4 (YLT), Jude 1:6). Jesus obliges, but the pigs then run into the lake and drown.
(Mark 5:1–13, Mat 8:28–32, Luke 8:26–33).
Jesus exorcises a woman's daughter while travelling in the region of Tyre and Sidon, because of the woman's faith. A Gentile woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter, but Jesus refuses, saying that he has only been sent to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel". The woman persists and says that "dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table". Jesus answers her: "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter."
(Mark 7:24–30, Mat 15:21–28).
There was a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and couldn't straighten up at all. When Jesus sees her, he calls out to her and says to her: "Woman, you are freed from your disability." And he lays his hands on her, and immediately she became straight, and she glorifies God. Jesus was then criticized by the ruler of the synagogue for doing this on the Sabbath. Then Jesus answered him: "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" (Luke 13:10–17).
Jesus exorcises a blind and mute man (Mat 12:22, Luke 11:14).
Jesus exorcises a boy possessed by a demon. A boy is said to have foamed at the mouth, gnashed his teeth, became rigid, and had involuntarily fallen into both water and fire. Jesus' followers couldn't cast out the demon, and Jesus condemns the people as unbelieving. When the boy's father questions whether Jesus could heal the boy, Jesus replies "everything is possible for those who believe". The father says he believes. Jesus then rebukes the unclean spirit, saying to it: "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit comes out. Jesus then takes the boy's hand and lifts him up, and the boy is healed. (Mark 9:17–29, Mat 17:14–21, Luke 9:37–43). See this explained at time 1:50–21:29 in
Mark 9:14-37 – Who is the Greatest?
Jesus casts out many demons in the evening after he had healed the mother of Peter's wife (Mark 1:32–34, Mat 8:16–17, Luke 4:40–41).
Jesus exorcises a mute man immediately after healing two blind men
(Mat 9:32–33). A man possessed by demons and unable to speak is
brought to Jesus, who casts out the demon, and the man is able to speak.
Jesus casts seven devils out of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2).
Jesus continues to cast out devils even though Herod Antipas wants to kill him (Luke 13:31–32).
Why Miracle
Jesus performed all these miracles in just 3.5 years. There are several reasons why he performed them:- God the Father sent Jesus into the world so that we would be saved through him (John 3:17). He is Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus voluntarily gave his life on the cross as payment for our sin. When
John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one who would come, that is Messiah, Jesus answered by referring to his miracles (Mat 11:2–6, Luke 7:18–23). The main reason for the miracles is to confirm
who he is (John 10:24–25), to make us to believe in him, see
time 6:57–9:06 in John 10:22-42 – Opposed by Stoning. The Pharisee Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, understood that Jesus is from God because of his miracles (John 3:1–2). It was a sign ministry, he is Messiah, the Son of God, Salvation comes through him (John 20:30–31). The Atonement explains why Jesus had to die physically on a cross. - The supernatural power that flowed out of Jesus gave evidence that he was Israel's prophesied Messiah prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5–6, 42:6–7, 53:4, Mat 8:16–17), see
Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled. - Jesus did his Father's will (John 5:19–21). God the Father wanted Jesus to perform these miracles, even on the Sabbath. But Jesus also says that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him, and
if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father (John 14:9–11).
This means that Jesus also wanted to perform these miracles. - Jesus had compassion and empathy with the people in his presence, with the pain and and suffering they were going through
(Mat 14:14). This wasn't the case for the Pharisees who refused to believe that Jesus was anything but a sinner because he violated their interpretation of what it means to keep the Sabbath. And as a Sabbath breaker he was a sinner to them. Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, see To Heal on The Sabbath. - The miracles that Jesus performed weren't a sideshow or entertainment, they demonstrate the grace and mercy of God.
- When Jesus healed unclean people (see Lepers above), he showed that the things that made them unclean and unacceptable under the Law, those were the things that he came to change, things that the Law couldn't accomplish, see Jesus and the Law.
Jesus offered mercy, acceptance, and grace that triumphs over following rules and regulations even in the Law (Mat 12:3–8).
Examples where mercy triumphs over following rules and regulations are shown at the end of The Book of Ruth. - Jesus said that as believers we can perform the same kind of miracles and even greater ones (John 14:12–14). It probably means more in magnitude. Personally, I think this is something to see more of in the end time, see The Two Witnesses.
However, we aren't promised physical healing in this life, although we can and should pray for that. God wants us to love him, even if we aren't physical healed in this life. We also need to be aware of deceivers and false healing. It's therefore important that miracles are well documented before they are announced publicly. See Teaching on Healing in
Word of Faith Movement in the U.S.
See also Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.
See also Some stories in the gospels at the bottom of The Four Gospels.
Why Miracle
Jesus performed all these miracles in just 3.5 years. There are several reasons why he performed them:
- God the Father sent Jesus into the world so that we would be saved through him (John 3:17). He is Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus voluntarily gave his life on the cross as payment for our sin. When
John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one who would come, that is Messiah, Jesus answered by referring to his miracles (Mat 11:2–6, Luke 7:18–23). The main reason for the miracles is to confirm
who he is (John 10:24–25), to make us to believe in him, see
time 6:57–9:06 in John 10:22-42 – Opposed by Stoning. The Pharisee Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, understood that Jesus is from God because of his miracles (John 3:1–2). It was a sign ministry, he is Messiah, the Son of God, Salvation comes through him (John 20:30–31). The Atonement explains why Jesus had to die physically on a cross. - The supernatural power that flowed out of Jesus gave evidence that he was Israel's prophesied Messiah prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5–6, 42:6–7, 53:4, Mat 8:16–17), see
Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled. - Jesus did his Father's will (John 5:19–21). God the Father wanted Jesus to perform these miracles, even on the Sabbath. But Jesus also says that he is in the Father and that the Father is in him, and
if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father (John 14:9–11).
This means that Jesus also wanted to perform these miracles. - Jesus had compassion and empathy with the people in his presence, with the pain and and suffering they were going through
(Mat 14:14). This wasn't the case for the Pharisees who refused to believe that Jesus was anything but a sinner because he violated their interpretation of what it means to keep the Sabbath. And as a Sabbath breaker he was a sinner to them. Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, see To Heal on The Sabbath. - The miracles that Jesus performed weren't a sideshow or entertainment, they demonstrate the grace and mercy of God.
- When Jesus healed unclean people (see Lepers above), he showed that the things that made them unclean and unacceptable under the Law, those were the things that he came to change, things that the Law couldn't accomplish, see Jesus and the Law.
Jesus offered mercy, acceptance, and grace that triumphs over following rules and regulations even in the Law (Mat 12:3–8).
Examples where mercy triumphs over following rules and regulations are shown at the end of The Book of Ruth. - Jesus said that as believers we can perform the same kind of miracles and even greater ones (John 14:12–14). It probably means more in magnitude. Personally, I think this is something to see more of in the end time, see The Two Witnesses.
However, we aren't promised physical healing in this life, although we can and should pray for that. God wants us to love him, even if we aren't physical healed in this life. We also need to be aware of deceivers and false healing. It's therefore important that miracles are well documented before they are announced publicly. See Teaching on Healing in
Word of Faith Movement in the U.S.
Word of Faith Movement in the U.S.
See also Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.
See also Some stories in the gospels at the bottom of The Four Gospels.
