The Reasons for Jesus' Miracles

Darren Roy
7 hours ago
6 min read

A brief introduction to the role of miracles in the life and ministry of Jesus

The Role of Miracles in the Ministry of Jesus

After studying the Gospel accounts, especially with a thorough look into the Synoptics, the miracles of Jesus Christ remain one of the most remarkable and defining features which shape both the historical understanding of His ministry and the theological conviction of His divine identity. These miracles stand for more than extraordinary events or displays of supernatural power; they are deliberate acts that reveal who Jesus is, authenticate His message, demonstrate God’s compassion, and disclose the presence of the Kingdom of God breaking into human history. Even during Jesus’ lifetime, the reality of His miracles was not genuinely contested. Rather than denying that supernatural events occurred, sceptics of the time attempted to explain them by attributing His power to demonic forces (Mark 2:6–12; 3:1–6; Luke 11:14–20; John 11:47–48). As Craig Keener rationalizes, “the Gospel narratives therefore stand as historically grounded accounts strengthened by hostile confirmation, eyewitness testimony, and internal coherence”¹.

The Nature and Definition of a Miracle

The New Testament uses three main terms to describe miracles. ^A

· dunameis (δύναμις) highlights mighty deeds of power or wonder;

· terata (Τέρας) relates to wonders, emphasising the response of astonishment; and

· semeia (σημεῖον), means signs, which points to their meaning and purpose.

It’s worth noting that in the Gospel accounts, terata is always combined with semeia, to convey the sense of ‘wonder works’ or ‘amazing signs’.^A

While a miracle is sometimes described as an event that violates natural laws, a more accurate explanation is that of an event that could not normally occur without intervention from an external supernatural power. It is the moment when the impossible becomes possible through divine action. As one theological book review explains, miracles make sense not as violations of nature but as acts of the Creator who is free to engage with His creation when He wills⁶. They therefore reveal not chaos but higher order.

Jesus’ miracles, as recorded in the Gospels, can be broadly divided into miracles of healing and miracles over nature. These include restoring bodies, opening blind eyes, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, calming storms, multiplying food, and casting out demons. The Synoptic Gospels record similar numbers of miracles; twenty in Matthew, eighteen in Mark, and twenty in Luke, which demonstrates reliable historical harmony. Ten appear in all three Synoptic accounts, and the feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle found in all four Gospels. Yet the Gospel writers emphasize that these do not represent the complete total (Matthew 4:23–24; Mark 6:53–56; Luke 4:40). Jesus’ miraculous activity was far more extensive than recorded narrative space could accommodate, and indeed according to John “even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

Importantly, accepting the resurrection or virgin birth while rejecting Jesus’ other miracles produces a logical inconsistency. Both are miraculous by nature². If one accepts the central miracle on which Christianity stands being the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no reasonable foundation for dismissing other supernatural acts attributed to Him.

Why Jesus Performed Miracles

A principal purpose of miracles was to authenticate Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. Peter declared at Pentecost that Jesus was “accredited by God…by miracles, wonders and signs” (Acts 2:22). As Dr George O. Wood observes, these three terms are nearly always found together in Acts because miracles were never intended merely to astonish but to confirm Jesus’ divine authority³. They proved that His teaching came from God and validated His claim that “the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:37–38).

Miracles also functioned as powerful tools for teaching spiritual truth. They operated as visible parables: physical actions with theological significance. The calming of the storm (Matthew 8:23–27) revealed both Jesus’ dominion over creation and the disciples’ weak faith. Healing the man born blind (John 9) demonstrated God’s ability to bring spiritual sight to those living in darkness. These miracles communicated truth far more vividly than words alone could achieve.

Miracles further revealed the compassion of Christ. The Gospels record numerous occasions when Jesus was moved profoundly by human suffering (Matthew 9:36; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13). He healed not merely to prove power, but because He loved people. As one writer notes, people often followed Jesus first because He helped them, but ultimately because His miracles revealed “the heart of God reaching out to broken humanity”⁷.

Another purpose was to reveal the inbreaking Kingdom of God and the inheritance of believers. Jesus promised that miraculous signs would accompany those who believed (Mark 16:17–18), and the book of Acts records extraordinary wonders performed by the apostles (Acts 3:6–10; 5:12–16; 8:4–7; 9:32–42; 19:11–12). These signs demonstrated the continued presence of Christ through His Spirit and authenticated the apostolic message. Modern Christian teaching on divine healing affirms that God still acts supernaturally, and that healing represents an ongoing expression of Christ’s redemptive work⁴.

Miracles, Faith, and Rejection

Public reaction to Jesus’ miracles was deeply divided. Early in His ministry, especially in Galilee, Jesus’ popularity was immense. People crowded around Him for healing and teaching. Yet despite witnessing astonishing displays of power, many ultimately resisted His claims. They wanted the benefits of miracles without submitting to the authority behind them. This resistance hardened into opposition from religious groups, particularly the Pharisees who feared His theological claims, and the Sadducees who feared political disruption. Their resistance eventually led to demands for His death (Luke 23:1–2). As George O. Wood noted, many still reject miracles today not because evidence is insufficient, but because accepting them requires surrender to the implications of divine authority⁵.

In response to persistent unbelief, Jesus performed fewer miracles in certain places and devoted more time to instructing His disciples privately. He increasingly taught through parables, explaining that unbelief prevented many from understanding. His restraint was not due to lack of power either, indeed He could have summoned “twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53), but He chose perfect obedience to the Father’s will (John 5:16–30). Miracles served His mission; they did not dictate it.

Conclusion

Miracles are therefore central to understanding the ministry of Jesus. They authenticated His identity as Messiah, illuminated spiritual truth, demonstrated divine compassion, revealed the Kingdom of God, and strengthened faith. They were signs pointing beyond themselves to the Person and saving work of Christ. Even if the Gospels contained no miracles beyond the virgin birth and resurrection, His mission would still be complete. Yet God chose to fill Christ’s ministry with supernatural acts, blessing His people and demonstrating the reality of His presence and power.

Miracles reveal a God who is not distant but actively present in human need. They declare that Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet, but Lord. As one reviewer remarks, the credibility of the New Testament’s miraculous accounts remains strong because they are rooted in history, eyewitness testimony, and transformed lives⁶. Miracles continue to challenge skepticism, comfort believers, and proclaim that Christ still reigns with power and compassion.

Through miracles, Jesus not only showed what God can do, but revealed who God is: sovereign, compassionate, redemptive, and intimately involved with humanity. In this way, miracles remain signposts to salvation and to the living Christ who continues His work through His Spirit and His Church today.

References

1. The Reliability of the Gospels, by Craig S. Keener; 2019 Influence Magazine.

2. Two Cases for Christ’s Divinity, by George P. Wood; 2025 Influence Magazine.

3. The Christ of Pentecost, by Frank D Macchia, 2019; Influence Magazine.

4. Divine Healing; Assemblies of God Position Paper.

5. Miracles Are Outlasting the Arguments Against Them, by Sam Storms; 2022, published at www.samstorms.org.

6. Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, written by Craig S. Keener and reviewed by Michael J. Kruger, 2012; Themelios, The Gospel Coalition.

7. What We Can Learn from Christ’s No-Miracle Zone, by George O. Wood; 2015, Charisma Magazine.

A. Word studies from: BDAG; William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (University of Chicago Press, 2000).

All other information and content compiled from or inspired by course material: BIBC103 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels, Global University 2011, 1211 South Glenstone Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804 USA. Based on the textbook of the same name, by Mike McClaflin.

This blog is part of the learning requirement for the course; BIBC103. Visit: https://globaluniversity.edu/ for more information