Miracles of Jesus Christ
Synopsis
Supernatural acts of Jesus Christ, revealing and confirming his Messianic credentials, and the coming
of God’s kingdom. The miracles of Christ are to be seen as an integral part of his ministry.
Examples of the kind of miracles Jesus Christ performed
Authority over natural forces
Mt 8:27
Matthew 8:27 (NIV) — 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of
man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
See also Mt 14:19–20 the feeding of 5,000 ; Mt 14:25 Jesus Christ walks on water ;
Mt 17:27 ; Lk 5:4 ; Lk 5:6 ; Jn 2:9 Jesus Christ turns water into wine.
Matthew 14:19–20 (NIV) — 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the
grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave
thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the
disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the
disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 14:25 (NIV) — 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them,
walking on the lake.
Matthew 17:27 (NIV) — 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the
lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and
you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and
yours.”
Luke 5:4 (NIV) — 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out
into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:6 (NIV) — 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number
of fish that their nets began to break.
John 2:9 (NIV) — 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had
been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the
servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
Healing the sick
Mt 4:24
Matthew 4:24 (NIV) — 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people
brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe
pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he
healed them.
See also Mt 8:13 ; Mt 8:15 Simon’s mother-in-law ; Mt 9:22 the woman with the
issue of blood ; Mt 9:29–30 ; Mt 12:13 the man with a shrivelled hand ; Mk 7:35 ; Lk
17:14 ; Jn 4:52–53 ; Jn 5:8–9 ; Jn 9:6–7
Matthew 8:13 (NIV) — 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done
just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Matthew 8:15 (NIV) — 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she
got up and began to wait on him.
Matthew 9:22 (NIV) — 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,”
he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that
moment.
Matthew 9:29–30 (NIV) — 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According
to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus
warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”
Matthew 12:13 (NIV) — 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the
other.
Mark 7:35 (NIV) — 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was
loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Luke 17:14 (NIV) — 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to
the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
John 4:52–53 (NIV) — 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got
better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left
him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus
had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
John 5:8–9 (NIV) — 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and
walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day
on which this took place was a Sabbath,
John 9:6–7 (NIV) — 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud
with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the
Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and
came home seeing.
Casting out demons
Mk 1:34
Mark 1:34 (NIV) — 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He
also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because
they knew who he was.
See also Mt 9:33 ; Mt 12:22 ; Mt 17:18
Matthew 9:33 (NIV) — 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who
had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has
ever been seen in Israel.”
Matthew 12:22 (NIV) — 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man
who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and
see.
Matthew 17:18 (NIV) — 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the
boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Raising the dead
Lk 7:14–15
Luke 7:14–15 (NIV) — 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were
carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you,
get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to
his mother.
See also Mt 9:25 ; Jn 11:43–44
Matthew 9:25 (NIV) — 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in
and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
John 11:43–44 (NIV) — 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice,
“Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped
with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off
the grave clothes and let him go.”
The purpose of Jesus Christ’s miracles
To bring healing and wholeness
Lk 8:35
Luke 8:35 (NIV) — 35 and the people went out to see what had happened.
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had
gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were
afraid.
See also Mt 15:28 ; Lk 17:14–15 ; Jn 9:38
Matthew 15:28 (NIV) — 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great
faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Luke 17:14–15 (NIV) — 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves
to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when
he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
John 9:38 (NIV) — 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped
him.
To reveal God’s kingdom
Mt 12:28
Matthew 12:28 (NIV) — 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out
demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
See also Mt 11:4–5
Matthew 11:4–5 (NIV) — 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what
you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have
leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
proclaimed to the poor.
To fulfil God’s word
Mt 8:16–17
Matthew 8:16–17 (NIV) — 16 When evening came, many who were demonpossessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and
healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet
Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
See also Is 53:4 ; Mt 12:15–17 ; Lk 4:18–19 ; Is 61:1–2 ; Lk 4:21
Isaiah 53:4 (NIV) — 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we
considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
Matthew 12:15–17 (NIV) — 15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place.
A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them
not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the
prophet Isaiah:
Luke 4:18–19 (NIV) — 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has
anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the
oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Isaiah 61:1–2 (NIV) — 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the
LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to
bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release
from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and
the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
Luke 4:21 (NIV) — 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing.”
To bring glory to God
Jn 11:4
John 11:4 (NIV) — 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end
in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
See also Mt 15:31 ; Jn 2:11
Matthew 15:31 (NIV) — 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute
speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And
they praised the God of Israel.
John 2:11 (NIV) — 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the
signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
To show Jesus to be the Messiah
Ac 2:22
Acts 2:22 (NIV) — 22 “Fellow Israelites, 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.
See also Mt 11:3–5 ; Jn 5:36 ; Jn 10:25 ; Jn 10:37–38 ; Jn 11:42
Matthew 11:3–5 (NIV) — 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or
should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John
what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who
have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good
news is proclaimed to the poor.
John 5:36 (NIV) — 36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the
works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—
testify that the Father has sent me.
John 10:25 (NIV) — 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,
John 10:37–38 (NIV) — 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my
Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the
works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the
Father.”
John 11:42 (NIV) — 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.”
Varying responses to Jesus Christ’s miracles
Terror and fear
Mk 4:41
Mark 4:41 (NIV) — 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this?
Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
See also Mt 8:34 ; Mk 5:15
Matthew 8:34 (NIV) — 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And
when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Mark 5:15 (NIV) — 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had
been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right
mind; and they were afraid.
Wonder and amazement
Lk 4:36
Luke 4:36 (NIV) — 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other,
“What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure
spirits and they come out!”
See also Mt 9:33 ; Mt 12:23 ; Lk 9:43 ; Lk 11:14
Matthew 9:33 (NIV) — 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who
had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has
ever been seen in Israel.”
Matthew 12:23 (NIV) — 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could
this be the Son of David?”
Luke 9:43 (NIV) — 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While
everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
Luke 11:14 (NIV) — 14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When
the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was
amazed.
Faith and gratitude
Lk 19:37
Luke 19:37 (NIV) — 37 When he came near the place where the road goes
down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to
praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
See also Mk 5:18–20 ; Lk 17:15–16 ; Jn 9:38 ; Jn 14:11 ; Jn 20:30–31
Mark 5:18–20 (NIV) — 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had
been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but
said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done
for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and
began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the
people were amazed.
Luke 17:15–16 (NIV) — 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came
back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and
thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
John 9:38 (NIV) — 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped
him.
John 14:11 (NIV) — 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
John 20:30–31 (NIV) — 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence
of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written
that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name.
Opposition and hatred
Jn 15:24
John 15:24 (NIV) — 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else
did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have
hated both me and my Father.
See also Mt 11:20–21 ; Mt 12:24 ; Jn 12:10–11 ; Jn 12:37–38
Matthew 11:20–21 (NIV) — 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in
which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were
performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Matthew 12:24 (NIV) — 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is
only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
John 12:10–11 (NIV) — 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as
well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and
believing in him.
John 12:37–38 (NIV) — 37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in
their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the
word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom
has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
Limitations on Jesus Christ’s miracles
Jesus Christ restricted his miracles because of superficial faith
Jn 2:23–24
John 2:23–24 (NIV) — 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover
Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his
name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
See also Mt 12:38–39 ; Mt 16:1–4 ; Jn 2:18 ; Jn 6:30
Matthew 12:38–39 (NIV) — 38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the
law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered,
“A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it
except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Matthew 16:1–4 (NIV) — 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and
tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied,
“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and
in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You
know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the
signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but
none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went
away.
John 2:18 (NIV) — 18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you
show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
John 6:30 (NIV) — 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we
may see it and believe you? What will you do?
Miracles require faith
Mt 13:58
Matthew 13:58 (NIV) — 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of
their lack of faith.
See also Mt 14:28–31 ; Mt 17:14–20
Matthew 14:28–31 (NIV) — 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to
come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of
the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the
wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”
he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 17:14–20 (NIV) — 14 When they came to the crowd, a man
approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he
said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into
the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 17
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay
with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at
that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why
couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly
I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be
impossible for you.”
Jesus Christ’s miracles performed through others
Through the disciples during Jesus Christ’s lifetime
Mt 10:1; Mk 9:38; Lk 10:17
Matthew 10:1 (NIV) — 1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them
authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Mark 9:38 (NIV) — 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out
demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
Luke 10:17 (NIV) — 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even
the demons submit to us in your name.”
Through the apostles after Jesus Christ’s ascension
Ac 3:6; Ac 3:16; Ac 4:10; Ac 5:12; Ac 6:8; Ac 8:6–7; Ac 16:18; Ac 19:11; 2 Co 12:12
Acts 3:6 (NIV) — 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do
have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Acts 3:16 (NIV) — 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and
know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him
that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
Acts 4:10 (NIV) — 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God
raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
Acts 5:12 (NIV) — 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among
the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s
Colonnade.
Acts 6:8 (NIV) — 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power,
performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 8:6–7 (NIV) — 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he
performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks,
impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were
healed.
Acts 16:18 (NIV) — 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so
annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus
Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
Acts 19:11 (NIV) — 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV) — 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the
marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
Through the church
1 Co 12:10; 1 Co 12:28–29
1 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV) — 10 to another miraculous powers, to another
prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in
different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28–29 (NIV) — 28 And God has placed in the church first of all
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,
of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles?
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?