The Miracles of Jesus

Introduction to Miracles

Definition of Miracles MIRACLE: “An event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple volition of God... It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power.” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

Definition of Miracles

“Those things are called miracles which are done by divine agency beyond the order commonly observed in nature.” -- Thomas Aquinas

Three “Miracle” WordsActs 2:22; Hebrews 2:4

Power (dunamis) – The cause of a miracle is supernatural power.

Wonder (terasa) – The effect of a miracle is awe, amazement and wonder.

Sign (semeion) – The miracle conveys a message; it signifies something

In order for there to be true miracles… There must be a God. There must be a God who is willing to

directly intervene in earthly affairs. There must be a God who possesses the

POWER to control and override natural law.

Five Dimensions of True Miracles A true miracle has an UNNATURAL

dimension. A true miracle has a DIVINE dimension; it

says something about the existence, power and purpose of GOD.

A true miracle is MORALLY right. A true miracle has a PURPOSE. A true miracle TEACHES.

What Distinguishes a True Miracle? A true miracle is an exception to

natural law. (Matthew 14:26) A true miracle produces immediate

results (Mark 1:31, 42; 2:12; 5:29, 42) A true miracle brings glory to God.

(Matthew 9:8; 15:31; Luke 7:16)

NT Teaching on “False Signs” Performed by those who practice

lawlessness, by false prophets and by the man of sin (Matthew 7:21; 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12)

Effective on those who “do not receive the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; Deut. 13:1-5)

Symbolic of the powerful deception used by the promoters of pagan religion (Revelation 13:11-14; 16:14; 19:20)

Sources of False Signs Tricks of Magic. (Acts 8:9-11) Psychosomatic or natural cures. Anomalies of Nature. Special Providence (James 5:17-18) Counterfeit Satanic signs (Mark 13:22)

Miracles as Evidence Miracles & Fulfilled Prophecies serve as

evidence for our faith (Acts 2:22; John 5:36; 2 Peter 1:19) We should be prepared to defend our faith

(Acts 26:1-2; Philippians 1:7, 17; 1 Pet. 3:15-16) But miracles are not scientific proof

They cannot be tested by science. Science involves observing repeatable natural

phenomena. Miracles are neither natural nor repeatable.

“Genuine science cannot comment about miracles because they are not today observable…” -- Anthony Standon

Miracles as Evidence Old Testament Miracles Moses was given miraculous power to

demonstrate that God had sent him (Exodus 3:1-7, 10; 4-9)

The same point is demonstrated by Miriam’s leprosy, the punishment of Korah, Aaron’s rod that budded, etc.

Consider Joshua’s dividing of the Jordan, Gideon’s tests, Elijah’s

trial on Mt. Carmel, etc.

Miracles as EvidenceNew Testament Miracles Miracles establish that Jesus is the Son of

God (Acts 2:22; John 5:36; 20:30-31) Jesus did more miracles than the Bible records

(John 21:25; Matthew 8:16; 15:30) Their value as evidence is bolstered by the

following facts: They were performed in many cities and

towns in the presence of multitudes. A wide variety of miracles were

constantly performed. They cannot be explained away.

(John 11:47)

Recipient Matthew Mark Luke John

Official's son        4:46-54

Possessed man    1:21-27  4:33-37  

Peter's in-law  8:14-15  1:29-31  4:38-39  

Many at sunset  8:16-17  1:32-39  4:40-41  

Leper  8:1-4  1:40-45  5:12-15  

Paralytic  9:1-8  2:1-12  5:18-26  

Man at Bethesda        5:1-17

Withered hand  12:9-13  3:1-6  6:6-11  

Crowd in Galilee  4:23-25      

Centurion's son  8:5-13    7:1-10  

Widow's son      7:11-17  

2 demoniacs  8:28-34  5:1-20  8:26-39  

Healings, Exorcisms & Resurrection Miracles of Jesus

Healings, Exorcisms & Resurrection Miracles of JesusRecipient Matthew Mark Luke John

Unclean woman  9:20-22  5:24-34  8:49-56  

Jairus daughter-2  9:23-26  5:35-43  8:49-56  

2 blind men  9:27-31      

Dumb man  9:32-34      

Touching clothes  14:34-36  6:53-56    

Crowd in Galilee  9:35      

Few in Nazareth    6:1-6    

Gentile's daughter  15:21-28  7:24-30    

Deaf man    7:31-37    

Multitude  15:29-31      

Epileptic boy  17:14-21  9:14-29  9:37-42  

Blind man        9:1-41

Healings, Exorcisms & Resurrection Miracles of JesusRecipient Matthew Mark Luke John

Man of Bethsaida    8:22-26    

Stooped woman      13:10-17  

Man with Dropsy      14:1-16  

Lazarus raised        11:1-45

Ten Lepers      17:11-19  

Crowds in Judea  19:1-2      

Bartimaeus  20:29-34  10:46-52  18:35-43  

Many in Jerusalem  21:14      

Ear of Malchus      22:47-53  18:10-11

Resurrection  28:1-10  16:1-20  24:1-53  20:1-31

Other Miracles of JesusEvent Matthew Mark Luke John

Water to wine        2:1-11

1st catch of fish      5:1-11  

Calms a sea  8:23-27  4:35-41  8:22-25  

Feeds 5000  14:13-21  6:32-44  9:10-17  6:1-13

Walks on water  14:22-33  6:45-51    6:15-21

Feeds 4000  15:32-39  8:1-10    

Money in fish  17:24-27      

Tree withered  21:18-22  11:12-24    

2nd catch of fish        21:1-14

Historical References to Jesus’ Miracles Josephus – “Jesus…wrought surprising

feats” The Talmud – “They hanged Jesus”

because “he practiced sorcery” Justin Martyr – answered the claim that

Jesus performed His mighty works by “magical arts”

Miracles of the ApostlesProved their preaching was from God (Heb. 2:3-4) Tongues (Acts 2) Healing of Lame man (Acts 3:6-11) Samaritans healed (Acts 8:5-17) Aeneas healed at Lydda (Acts 9:34-35) Dorcas raised at Joppa (Acts 0:36-42) Elymas blinded on Cyprus (13:4-13) Cripple healed in Lystra (14:8-10) “Special” miracles in Ephesus (Acts 19:11) Paul shook off snake bite (Acts 28:3-6) Father of Publius healed (Acts 28:7-8)