Jesus’ ministry on earth, which lasted for about three years, consisted of teachings and performing different miracles. During his time, Jesus not only brought the good news to people and died for their sins but also healed several people who had been bound in their sickness for years. However, other bible readers are always curious to know, “did Jesus work miracles?”
Jesus worked miracles, and all of them are recorded in the gospel books: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Although Jesus came to earth as a human being in the flesh, he had the spiritual power given to him by his father, which enabled him to do that, that had never been witnessed before.
So, what was Jesus’ first miracle? How did Jesus perform miracles? Why did Jesus perform miracles? How many miracles in total did Jesus perform? Did Jesus perform miracles as a child? Did Jesus perform miracles after his resurrection? Did Jesus enable his disciples to perform miracles? To know the answers to these questions and more, kindly read on.
What was Jesus’ first miracle?
Jesus’ first miracle is among the most talked about, as it revealed the power Jesus had, starting his ministry. The first miracle is recorded in John 2:1-11, which happened in Cana, Galilee. Jesus had attended a wedding with his mother and disciples when his mother informed him that the wine had run out. Jesus was initially hesitant to do anything, claiming his time had not yet come.
He, however, instructed the wedding servants to fill the six stone jars with water and turned it into wine. This first miracle revealed his glory, and his disciples believed him.
How did Jesus perform miracles?
Jesus used two ways or techniques to perform his miracles. The first way Jesus did this was by command, and the miracle happened. For instance, we see Jesus using the command method to perform his first miracle. He did not touch the jars nor the water that was turned into wine but only commanded the servants present to fill them, and it was done.
Another miracle that Jesus performed using the command is recorded in Mark 1:21-27. Jesus had gone to Capernaum on a sabbath day, where he taught the people. While still in the synagogue, a man possessed by a spirit cried out loud to him, asking him what he wanted to do with them. Jesus commanded the spirit in the man to be quiet and to get out of him. The spirit obeyed Jesus’ command and left the man.
The second method that Jesus used to perform miracles was by touching. In Mathew 8:14-15, Jesus performed a miracle of healing by touching Peter’s mother-in-law’s hand and the fever she had left her.
Another miracle Jesus performed by touching is written in Luke 13:10-13 when he healed a woman whose spirit had been crippled for eighteen years. Jesus only healed her by putting his hands on her, and her back immediately straightened up.
Why did Jesus perform miracles?
There are various reasons why Jesus performed miracles. The first reason Jesus performed the miracles he did was to destroy the Kingdom of Satan and establish God’s Kingdom. By driving away spirits that had crippled some people, Jesus defeated Satan and let God’s kingdom reign instead.
Another reason Jesus performed miracles was that he had compassion for those that were sick, hungry, or even the poor. Jesus fed the 5000 people because he saw how hungry they were. Moreover, Jesus healed the sick, even on a Sabbath day, because he wanted to eliminate their pain.
Jesus also performed miracles to show the world the power God had given him, proving that he was the one that had sent him. When Jesus started his ministry, the teacher of the law and the Pharisees were unhappy with how he taught and the miracles he performed because they thought he would take away their influence, making them irrelevant to the people. Jesus revealed to them that his Kingdom was not of the physical ruling, and he was sent by the one in heaven.
Jesus also performed miracles to fulfill the prophecies that had been said in the Old Testament. By performing the miracles, he proved that he was indeed the Messiah the people had promised would come.
Jesus’ miracles’ also showed that he had power over death. No human being on earth had been able to raise a person from death except Jesus. This is shown when he raises his friend Lazarus from the dead.
How many miracles in total did Jesus perform?
Religious scholars and theologians have agreed that Jesus performed 37 miracles in total and that they are recorded in different books in the New Testament. These miracles are turning water into wine in John 2:1-11, healing an official’s son at Capernaum in John 4:43-54, driving out an evil spirit from a man in Capernaum in Mark 1:21-27, healing Peter’s mother-in-law with fever in Luke 4:38-39, healing of the sick and oppressed in Mathew 8:16-17, miraculous catching of fish in Luke 5:1-11, cleansing a man with leprosy in Mathew 8:1-4, healing of a Centurion’s paralyzed servant in Luke 7:1-10, healing a person with paralysis who was let down from the roof in Mark 2:1-12 and healing of a man with a withered hand in Luke 6:6-11.
Jesus also raised a widow’s son from the dead in Nain in Luke 7:11-17, calmed the storm on the sea in Mathew 8:23-27, cast out demons into a herd of pigs in Mark 5:1-20, healed a woman with the issue of blood in Mathew 9:20-22, raised Jairus’ daughter back to life in Mark 5:35-43, healed two blind men in Mathew 9:27-31, healed a dumb man in Mathew 9:32-34, healed an invalid at Bethesda in John 5:1-15, fed 5000 people in Luke 9:10-17, walked on water in Mark 6:45-52 and healed many sick people in Mathew 14:34-36. These are just but a few of the miracles that Jesus performed. Have a look at the rest of the miracles that Jesus performed during his earthly ministry.
Did Jesus perform miracles as a child?
It is impossible to know for a fact if Jesus performed miracles as a child, as the bible does not reveal anything about it. However, some religious scholars suggest that Jesus did not perform any miracles until he was an adult, as he first resisted the miracle at a wedding in Cana.
When Mary approached Jesus and told him the wine had run out, Jesus responded by saying his hour had yet to come, suggesting that his time to perform miracles had yet to be reached. If Jesus could have been performing miracles from childhood, he could have found it easier to perform the one in Cana.
Did Jesus perform miracles after his resurrection?
There are notable things that Jesus did after his resurrection that can be termed miracles. For instance, Jesus’ resurrecting from the dead was not normal, making it a miracle. Secondly, after his resurrection, the bible records Jesus appearing and disappearing to his disciples severally. Luke 24:30-31 says, “when he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared.”
Jesus also performed another miracle after resurrecting, when he appeared to his disciples through closed doors. John 20:19 notes Jesus appeared to his disciples one evening when they had locked themselves behind those for fear of the Jewish leaders. This shows Jesus’s power, as it was something extraordinary.
Jesus also performed another miracle, by the sea in Galilee, after he caused his disciples to catch much fish after staying the whole night without catching anything. This miracle is recorded in John 21:1-8.
Did Jesus enable his disciples to perform miracles?
Jesus enabled his disciples to perform miracles by commanding them to do it. In Mathew 10:7-8, when Jesus sent out his twelve apostles, he commanded them to heal those sick, raise the dead, and even cleanse those with leprosy. Jesus also directed them to drive out demons, as he had freely given them the power.
In Luke 10:1, Jesus sent 72 other disciples on different missions. After they returned from their mission, verse 17 notes that they returned with joy and revealed to Jesus that even the demons submitted to them in his name, meaning that they had performed miracles of casting out demons.
References
How did Jesus perform miracles?
How did Jesus do miracles-his divine nature or the holy spirit?
What was the purpose of Jesus’ miracles?
Miracles of Jesus: from healing the sick to turning water into wine
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.