The Miracles

He Healed Them All

When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.—Luke 23:8

Richard Suraci

A miracle is a work wrought by divine .power for a divine purpose, by means ..beyond the reach of mortal man. The dictionary defines a miracle as “an event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes, especially to an act of God.” The Greek word semeion (Strongs 4592 rendered miracle in Luke 23:8) is translated sign, token, and wonder in the King James.

The parables of Jesus contain divine illustrations of truth and his sermons reveal the continuous development of truth: “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). His miracles are an integral part of God’s word and provide evidence that his word is divinely inspired. Miracles were helpful for the establishment of Christ’s church because they were an aid to faith. They ceased with the death of the apostles when faith was firmly established in the hearts of the early Christians.

Luke was a Gentile, of Greek origin, and most likely a convert of the apostle Paul whom he accompanied on missionary journeys (see Acts 16:10; 20:6; 27:1; 28:16). He also may have been the author of the book of Acts which appears to be part of one continuous report. Both books address their message to Theophilis [Strong’s 2321 meaning “friend of God”] whose background is unknown. The two books, Luke and Acts, comprise more than one quarter of the New Testament. Luke’s name is not found in either his gospel or Acts.

The other three gospel writers wrote what they personally heard Jesus say as they walked with him and witnessed his miracles. Since it is unlikely Luke ever heard or saw Jesus, he may have interviewed the apostles, Mary, her two believing sons, James and Jude, and others to compile his facts. This gave Luke a panoramic view of Jesus’ life and resulted in his own gospel account with its unique report of six of Jesus’ miracles.

Paul called Luke a “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) and appreciated his service. If anyone needed a personal physician, it was Paul. Because he was a physician, Luke identified with the reports he received of Jesus’ tender loving care when healing people. In Luke’s gospel, the words heal and healing in relation to Jesus’ miracles appear 22 times, the same number as the other three gospels combined.

Miracle #1—The Draught of Fish

In Luke chapter 5 Jesus was standing by the shore of Lake Gennesaret as the crowd pressed toward him, eager to hear his words. Beside him were two boats belonging to Peter, his brother Andrew, and their fishing partners, James and John. Jesus entered one boat and beckoned Peter to pull out a little from shore as he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he finished speaking, Jesus asked Peter to take his boat to deeper waters and let down his net to catch some fish. Peter said that they toiled all night and caught nothing, but because of his request, he would let down the net. Having done so, the net filled with so many fish it began to tear. Peter signaled his brother Andrew and his partners, James and John, to bring the second boat, and both boats nearly sank from the weight of the fish. Peter was so impressed that he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8).

The lake where this miracle occurred is the same as that referred to by Isaiah: “There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1,2, NIV).

Isaiah identified who this light is: “For to us a child is born, to us a son in given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” —Isaiah 9:6-8, NIV.

After this miracle at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John into a special relationship as disciples. This miracle was designed by Jesus to catch them in his “net.” He told them what their future vocation would be when he said, “From now on you shall catch men” (Luke 5:10, NIV).

After bringing their boats to shore they left them there and followed Jesus. We are not told what became of the fish. After such an overwhelming display of power, these fishermen knew the one calling them to full-time service was able to meet their every need.

It was the gospel message of Jesus that led to the call of the new creation; the apostles were the first to herald that gospel and prepare the people for discipleship. On the day of Pentecost the apostles and other believers received the holy spirit.

The miracle of the draught of fish teaches us to listen and obey, like Peter, to the words of Jesus. We too must become “fishers of men.” At the end of Matthew’s gospel Jesus said, “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19,20).

All the apostles became “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Peter started immediately on the day of Pentecost in his newly appointed office. His first “catch” was “about five thousand,” much more than his miraculous draught of fish at the Sea of Galilee.

Down through the age God’s called-out people have followed the example of Jesus and his apostles by becoming “fishers of men.” Today we have the same privilege. Through activities such as the printed page, personal witness, radio, TV, web sites, and distributing tracts, we too may attract those who are suitable for the call of the church, or God’s kingdom on earth (see Ecclesiastes 11:6; 1 Peter 2:12).

Miracle #2—Raising the Widow’s Son

The second miracle recorded only in Luke occurred the day after Jesus healed a centurion’s son, and it was much greater. Jesus left Capernaum and came “into a city called Nain and many of his disciples went with him, and much people” (Luke 7:11) As they came to the gate of the city, they met a funeral procession. In meeting this procession of death, Jesus had the opportunity to illustrate to the crowd the power conferred upon him by his father. It also demonstrated the great joy that will come to the world of mankind when “all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth” (John 5:28,29).

The meeting of these two large groups of people at the “gate of the city” was impressive because life triumphed over death, sorrow was turned into joy. One procession was grief-stricken, the other was led by the compassionate Lord Jesus who had the power to raise the dead. The battle at the “gate” was short and decisive as life (through the word of Jesus) triumphed over death.

“There was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow” (Luke 7:12). This was a severe loss for her. Her husband was dead and now her only son had died. In her deep sorrow Luke states, “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, Weep not.” This was not a mere request for the woman to refrain from weeping, it was a sign of what Jesus would do to make her happy again: “He touched the bier and said, young man … arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

This experience was a double witness of the divine, supernatural power invested in Jesus. The miracles Jesus performed during his ministry on earth were samples of what he and his church will do for the world of mankind in God’s kingdom on earth.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, NIV). Because of his faithfulness to his father, after his resurrection he applied the merit of his sacrifice on behalf of his church. He comes again to “seek and to save that which was lost” and to make the second application of his ransom for the world of mankind (see Luke 19:10; Hebrews 9:24,27,28).

Miracle #3—The Infirmed Woman

Our compassionate Lord Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus’ adversaries watched his every action to entrap him. As he looked at the audience he saw a woman who had had “a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bowed together and could in no wise lift herself up” (Luke 13:11). Luke displays his training as a “good physician” and a gifted historian. The only direction this woman could see was downward which limited her peripheral vision. One wonders what was in her heart as she heard Jesus speak. The fact that she went to the synagogue in her afflicted condition reveals her desire to be close to God. While she heard Jesus speak, she may not have been able to see him!

The “spirit of infirmity” describes her diseased body. This is the only place where the phrase “bowed together” is found in the New Testament. It describes a severe case of scoliosis, which means crookedness, lateral curvature of the spine. Her condition was very acute. “Bowed together” is an expressive phrase which may illustrate mankind’s general condition as a result of sin: bowed down, unable to look up to their Creator.

“When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her; and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:12,13). In many of his healing miracles Jesus touched people, and in some cases, those who touched him in faith were healed (see Matthew 9:20-22; 14:34-36; Luke 6:17-19).

There were two quite different reactions to this compassionate miracle. The woman “glorified God.” Similar acts of praise will come from the world of mankind when God’s kingdom comes on earth. The beautiful part of this healing was Jesus’ voluntary act of loving compassion. A much different reaction came from the ruler of the synagogue as he poured his anger upon the people and Jesus: “There are six days in which man ought to work; in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day” (Luke 13:14). Jesus called him a hypocrite saying, “Do not each of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or ass from the stall and lead him away to watering?” The unspoken answer of the ruler was obviously, yes! “Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” (Luke 13:16, NIV).

Jesus’ words were so true, and without question Satan is the cause of every ache, pain, and death in human history. Because of Satan’s deception, God condemned Adam to death. “In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). The marginal rendering states, “Dying thou shalt die.” The dying process included sickness, disease, mental anguish, sorrow, pain and finally death. Death passed upon Adam’s family up to this present day. Jesus’ statement humiliated the ruler but the people were delighted with the wonderful things Jesus was doing. Jesus’ miracles on the Sabbath day teach us that the Sabbath was created for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Sabbath day is typical of the Times of Restitution of all things (see Acts 3:19-21; Romans 8:19-22).

Miracle #4—The Man with Dropsy

Jesus accepted an invitation to eat at a prominent Pharisee’s home and the guests watched him carefully. In front of Jesus was a man suffering from dropsy, a symptom of an organic disease, usually of the heart or kidneys. Today it is called edema. This man may have been invited purposely so that the Pharisees and law experts could observe what Jesus would do on the Sabbath. Jesus asked them a question: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (Luke 14:3). They remained silent because the law wasn’t specific on this question. Because they said nothing, Jesus took the man, healed him, and sent him away. “Then he asked them, If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day will you not immediately pull him out? And they had nothing to say.” (Luke 14:5, NIV, Diaglott). Of course they would have saved a life automatically without considering what day it was! Jesus exposed their lack of consistency and his reasoning once again silenced them.

One would think that listening to a man with such compassion and wisdom would touch their hearts and cause them to try to understand his teachings. Such was not the case because of the pride they had as the leaders and teachers of the law. Had Jesus joined their ranks and acknowledged them, they might have accepted him. But Jesus acknowledged God, and God alone, as his teacher (John 14:24). So they hardened their hearts further and looked for other opportunities to trap him.

Jesus frequently witnessed for the truth by asking questions. God’s people should remember this and do the same. We should tell the people just enough so that they may desire more.

Jesus warns his disciples with the words, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). Jesus spoke from experience and told his disciples how to combat wolves in sheep’s clothing: “Be ye therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” One cunning facet of the serpent’s wisdom is that it exercises patience in seeking prey. It doesn’t intimidate it or scare it away. A serpent also displays wisdom by protecting its head because a severe blow to the head may cause its death. The head encompasses the brain which is the control center of the body. The brain and the heart are the home of the new creature. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). A dove is harmless and is a sympathetic bird. A dove was used to illustrate the holy spirit gently alighting upon Jesus (Matthew 3:16).

Miracle #5—The Ten Lepers

During Jesus’ last trip to Jerusalem he traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. It was a familiar route to him. The Jews going to Jerusalem usually took a longer route to avoid any contact with Samaritans with whom they had no dealings.

“As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, Jesus, Master, have pity on us” (Luke 17:12,13 NIV). The lepers had heard of Jesus and his power to heal. They were a pitiable group with rent clothes, shaved heads, and a cloth upon their upper lip. They followed Jewish law which required they keep approximately 150 feet away from people (Leviticus 13:45,46). While this distance was a requirement of the law because of the risk of contagion, it also illustrated the world’s separation from God because of sin.

Leprosy is a symbol of sin and alienation from God; it is a loathsome disease. It corrupts the blood and joints, producing decay. People who study this terrible disease tell us it affects the vocal cords and lessens a victim’s ability to speak. It was probably because of this physical weakness that the ten lepers raised their voices in unison so they could be heard by Jesus.

Out of a deep sense of their misery and the hope that Jesus would hear their cry, they called out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” They came to the right person, in fact the only person, the compassionate Son of God, who could help them. Jesus didn’t touch them as he did with the leper he healed in Matthew 8:2,3. He simply said, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14).

Jesus did not speak a healing word to them as he did for others he healed. He simply said, “go” and they did. Their faith was rewarded as they went to the priest. While walking along the road, they felt the renewal of their bodies. “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving thanks: and he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15,16). Being cleansed, he was now able to shout his praises to God!

The lepers were not healed until they demonstrated their faith by obedience. One can only imagine the intense joy they felt as life and strength returned to their bodies. Cries of joy must have echoed from the first to the last of each of these former lepers.

With a touch of pathos, Jesus exclaimed: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17, NIV). Sending the lepers to the priest proved that Jesus had not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The priest could not cure leprosy; he could only pronounce a leper clean. The lepers showed great faith in the law by going to the priest at Jesus’ command (Leviticus 14:3,4).

Faith and obedience will also be required when God’s kingdom is established on earth as it is in heaven. John the Revelator speaks of that time: “The spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17, NIV).

When people decide to partake of the water of life freely, they will have access to the highway of holiness which Isaiah speaks of in chapter 35: “The wilderness … shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose … The eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped … the lame man shall leap as the hart and the tongue of the dumb sing … a highway shall be there … and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those.” This cleansing highway will assist mankind in removing their every weakness and prepare them for perfect life on earth.

Miracle #6—Healing a Severed Ear

“While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with our swords? And [not waiting for an answer] one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?”—Luke 22:47-52, NIV

How ridiculous this scene must have been —a heavily armed mob to arrest one innocent defenseless man. By prior arrangement Judas’ kiss led to his apprehension. As always, Jesus was calm, knowing that all things were in his father’s hands, and asked the mob, “Whom seek ye.” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and he replied, “I am he.” The rowdy crowd, overcome by his confidence and quiet dignity, fell backward to the ground. After they regrouped, he asked them the same question and following their reply, he gave the same answer, adding, “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” (See John 18:4-8.)

Throughout his dedicated life, Jesus never used his miraculous power for self-preservation. He knew he was born on this earth to die as an atoning sacrifice for the world of mankind, so he meekly submitted himself to his foes (Luke 22:49-53).

John is the only one who identifies Peter as the wielder of the sword, and Malchus as the victim (John 18:10). Luke, the “good physician,” is the only one to record the healing of Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:51). This is the only miracle where a wound inflicted by violence was miraculously healed.

Think of all the vicious wounds which have been inflicted upon humanity during the last 6,000 years! Millions upon millions have needlessly lost their lives. As a result of Jesus’ atonement sacrifice, all that are in their graves shall be awakened from the sleep of death, each receiving a suitable body (John 5:28; 1 Corinthians 15:19-22,35-38).

At the conclusion of the kingdom mankind will stand in God’s presence as perfect as Jesus stood while on earth. Isaiah’s prophecy will then be fulfilled: “The inhabitant shall not say I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity” (Isaiah 33:24).

 “No creature of the redeemed race will be too low for divine grace to reach, through the all-powerful and blessed agency of the kingdom. No degradation of sin will be too deep for the hand of mercy to fathom, to rescue the blood-bought soul; no darkness of ignorance and superstition will be so dense in any heart but that the light of divine truth and love will penetrate its gloom and bring to it a knowledge of the joy and gladness of the new day, and an opportunity to share the same by obedience. No disease that can attack and pollute the physical system will be beyond the prompt control of the Great Physician. And no deformity, or monstrosity, or superfluity, or redundancy, or mental imbecility will be able to resist his healing touch.”—Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 4, pp. 639, 640.