Reference: Miracles
Fausets
Three distinct New Testament Greek words represent miracles: seemeion, "a sign"; teras, "a prodigy"; dunamis, "a mighty work." Septuagint uses seemeion and teras for Hebrew 'owt and mopheth (Ex 7:9). Seemeion, "sign," views the miracle as evidence of a divine commission: Joh 3:2, "no man can do these signs (Greek) which Thou doest except God be with him" (Joh 9:30,33; 15:24; Lu 7:19-22); teras, "prodigy" or "wonder," expresses the effect on the spectator; dunamis, "mighty work," marks its performance by a superhuman power (Ac 2:22; 2Co 12:12; 2Th 2:9). The "sign" is God's seal, attestation, or proof of a revelation being genuine. Jesus' miracles were not merely wonders but signs; signs not merely of His power, but of the nature of His ministry and of His divine person.
A grand distinction peculiar to Christianity is, it won the world to it in an age of high civilization, through a few preachers of humble position, on the evidence of miracles. Basing its claim on miracles the creed of the slave became eventually the faith of the Caesars. Muhammed on the contrary, even in a half-enlightened age and country, pretended no miracle. Christ and His apostles still less than Mahomet among friends would have dared to allege miracles, in the midst of hostile Jews and skeptical Romans, unless they were true. This claim is the more striking, since John the Baptist, though coming "in the spirit and power of Elias," the great miracle worker of the Old Testament, never claimed miraculous power; so far is Scripture from indiscriminately gratifying men's love of the marvelous at the cost of truth.
Similarly, Abraham, David, and other Old Testament heroes never appear as miracle workers. Early Christian writers, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Origen, occasionally appeal to miracles in proof of Christianity; but state that their pagan opponents, admitting the facts, attributed them to magic; which accounts for the fewness of their references to miracles. The Jewish writings, as the Sepher Toldoth Jeshu, also the extant fragments of Celsus, Porphyry, and Julian, admit the fact of the miracles, though ascribing them to magic and evil spirits. In the case of the resurrection (Mt 28:11-15) and the cure of the blind man (John 9) the Jews made a self confuted charge of fraud. The early Christian apologists allege in support of Christianity:
(1) the greatness, number, completeness, and publicity of the miracles;
(2) the beneficial tendency of the doctrine;
(3) the connection of the miracles with prophecy and the whole scheme of redemption from Adam to Christ. The miracles must have been altogether different from the wonders of exorcists, magicians, etc.; else they would not have gained for the gospel so wide and permanent an acceptance. The effect of Philip's ministry on the Samaritans, in opposition to Simon Magus (Acts 8), proves this. The holy character of Christ and His apostles, and the tendency of Christianity to promote truth and virtue, are against the origination of the miracles from evil spirits or jugglery. In the fourth century miracles had ceased (Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 11-13); in the third, miracles are alleged, but are suspicious, as wrought among those already believing and predisposed to accept prodigies credulously. The ecclesiastical miracles are not attested by inspired writers. The apostles alone could transmit the power of working miracles to others. Cornelius was an exception, being the firstfruit of the Gentiles.
But Philip could not impart it; Peter and John must come to confer on his Samaritan converts miraculous gifts, by laying on of hands (Ac 8:15-20; 10:44-46; 19:6; Mr 16:17-18). Christianity being once proved and attested to us, the analogy of God's dealings leads us to expect He would leave it to make its way by ordinary means; the edifice being erected, the scaffolding is taken down; perpetual miracle is contrary to His ways. The ecclesiastical miracles alleged are ambiguous, or tentative, or legendary, i.e. resembling known products of human credulity and imposture. Many are childish, and palpably framed for superstitious believers, rather than as evidences capable of bearing critical scrutiny. Most of them are not told until long after their presumed occurrence. Herein the New Testament miracles wholly differ from them. The Christian miracles are:
(1) Recorded by contemporaries.
(2) In the same country.
(3) Not based on transient rumor, but confirmed by subsequent investigation, and recorded in independent accounts.
(4) Not naked history, but the history combined with the institution and with the religion of our day, as also with the time and place of the miracle recorded and of Christianity's origin.
(5) With particular specification of names, places, dates, and circumstances.
(6) Not requiring merely otiose assent, as the popular superstitions on which nothing depends, but claiming to regulate the opinions and acts of people.
(7) Not like popish miracles in Roman Catholic countries, in affirmation of opinions already formed, but performed amidst enemies, converting men from their most cherished prejudices; there was no anterior persuasion to lay hold of, Jesus' miracles gave birth to the sect; frauds might mix with the progress, but could not have place in the commencement of the religion.
(8) Not an imaginary perception, as Socrates' demon; the giving sight to the blind leaves a lasting effect; in those of a mixed nature the principal miracle is momentary, but some circumstance combined with it is permanent; Peter's vision might be a dream, but the message of Cornelius could not have been; the concurrence could only be supernatural.
(9) Not tentative, where out of many trials some succeed, as the ancient oracles, cures wrought by relics, etc.
(10) Not doubtful miracles, as the liquefaction of Januarius' blood, cures of nervous ailments.
(11) Not stories which can be resolved into exaggerations.
(12) Not gradual, but instantaneous for the most part (Lu 18:43); not incomplete; not merely temporary, but complete and lasting.
(13) Witnessed to at the cost of suffering and death. (Paley, Evidences of Christianity.)
A miracle is not a "violation of the laws of nature" (Hume), but the introduction of a new agent. Such introduction accords with human experience, for we see an intelligent agent often modifying the otherwise uniform laws of nature. "Experience" informs us of human free will counteracting the lower law of gravitation. Infinitely more can the divine will introduce a new element, counteracting, without destroying, lower physical law; the higher law for a time controls and suspends the action of the lower. Or, "law" being simply the expression of God's will, in miracles God's will intervenes, for certain moral ends, to suspend His ordinary mode of working. The wise men following the star, and then receiving further guidance from the Scripture word, illustrate the twofold revelation, God's works, and God's word, the highest guide. Both meet in the Incarnate Word (Matthew 2; 2Pe 1:19-21). As disturbance has entered the world by sin, as nature visibly attests, God must needs miraculously interfere to nullify that disturbance.
Hume alleged against miracles their contrariety to "experience," and that experience shows testimony to be often false. But "experience" is not to be limited to our time and knowledge. The "experience" of the witnesses for Christianity attests the truth of miracles. However improbable miracles are under ordinary circumstances, they are probable, nay necessary, to attest a religious revelation and a divine commission. "In whatever degree it is probable that a revelation should be communicated to mankind at all, in the same degree is it probable that miracles should be wrought" (Paley, Evidences of Christianity). That they are out of the ordinary course of nature, so far from being an objection, is just what they need to be in order to be fit signs to attest a revelation. It is as easy to God to continue the ordinary course of the rest of nature, with the change of one part, as of all the phenomena without any change. It is objected, miracles "interrupt the course of nature."
But as that course really compri
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And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease, and every kind of sickness among the people.
And behold, a leper came and did him homage, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And when he entered Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying, and ill of a fever.
When the evening had come, they brought to him many that were possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and cured all that were sick; that the word might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He himself took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.
And he said to them: Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm.
And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the palsied man: Son, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven you.
While he was speaking these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came and did him homage, saying: My daughter is already dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
And behold, a woman that had been diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years, came behind him, and touched the fringe of his mantle.
And as Jesus was departing thence, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying: Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he had entered the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus said to them: Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord. read more. Then he touched their eyes, and said: According to your faith, be it to you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus strictly charged them, saying: See that no one know it,
And as they were going out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.
And Jesus went through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every infirmity.
Now when John had heard in the prison of the works of the Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said to him: Art thou he that was to come, or must we look for another? read more. And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John what you hear and see.
And behold, a man was there that had a withered hand. And they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath-days? that they might accuse him.
But Jesus perceived it, and withdrew from that place. And many multitudes followed him, and he cured them all.
And all the people were amazed, and said: Is not this the son of David?
And when Jesus came out, he saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion for them, and cured their sick.
But Jesus said to them: They need not go away; do you give them food.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all the neighboring country, and brought to him all that were sick; and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his mantle; and as many as touched were perfectly saved.
And behold, a woman of Chanaan came out from those borders, and cried to him, saying: Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.
And many multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deaf, the maimed, and many others; and laid them at the feet of Jesus, and he cured them;
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke, and gave thorn to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign: and no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. And he left them and departed.
And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up into a high mountain apart:
and said: Lord, have mercy on my son; for ho is a lunatic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
But that we may give them no offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you will find a stater; take that, and give to them for me and you.
And many multitudes followed him; and he cured them there.
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves,
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them.
For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the hosts of the heavens shall be shaken.
While they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told the chief priests all things that were done. And when they came together with the elders, they held a consultation, and gave much money to the soldiers, read more. saying: Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away, while we were asleep. And if this shall be heard in the presence of the governor, we will persuade him, and make you secure. And they took the money, and did as they were taught. And their report of this matter is everywhere published among the Jews to this day.
saying: Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Nazarene? Hast thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And when he had come out of the ship, immediately there met him from the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
And he charged them strictly that no one should know this. And he commanded that something should be given her to eat.
And he was unable to do any mighty deed there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick persons and cured them; and he wondered at their unbelief. And he went to the villages round about, and taught.
And he said to her: For this saying, go your way: the demon has gone out of your daughter.
And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more earnestly they published it.
And he came to Bethsaida; and they brought to him a blind man, and besought him to touch him.
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
But he passed through the midst of them, and went away.
And when he had made an end of speaking, he said to Simon: Push out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught.
And it came to pass, the next day, that he was going to a city called Nain; and many of his disciples and a great multitude followed him. And when he came near the gate of tho city, behold, they were carrying out a dead man, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a great multitude from the city was with her.
And he went and touched the bier; and those who were carrying it, stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to you, Arise.
And John called to him two of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus, and said: Art thou he that was to come, or must we look for another? And the men came to him and said: John the Immerser has sent us to thee, and says, Art thou he that was to come, or must we look for another? read more. And in that very hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and bestowed sight on many that were blind. And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John what you have seen and heard; that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them;
But some of them said: He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons. And others, that they might tempt him, asked of him a sign from heaven.
And, behold, there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and was not able to raise herself up at all.
And as he entered a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood at a distance.
And it came to pass, that, as he came near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road begging.
And he immediately received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
And Jesus answered and said: Let this matter proceed thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him.
And the passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Then answered the Jews and said to him: What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things? Jesus answered and said to them: Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days. read more. Then the Jews said to him: Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will you rebuild it in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body.
And while he was in Jerusalem, during the feast of passover, many believed on his name, because they saw the signs that he did.
This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou hast come as a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou doest, unless God be with him.
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and besought him that he would come down, and restore his son to health, for he was about to die.
And a certain man was there, who had been sick thirty-eight years.
But Jesus answered them: My Father works till now, and I also work.
And many of the multitude believed on him, and said: When the Christ comes, will he do more signs than these which this man has done?
Then came the attendants to the chief priests and the Pharisees; and they said to them: Why have you not brought him? The attendants answered: Never did man speak like this man.
And as he passed by, he saw a man that had been blind from his birth.
The man answered and said to them: Why, there is some thing wonderful in this, that you know not whence he is, and yet he has opened my eyes.
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
And Jesus said: For judgment have I come into this world, that those who see not, may see; and that those who see, may become blind. And some of the Pharisees who were with him, heard these things, and said to him: Are we also blind? read more. Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you would not have sin; but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.
If I had not done among them the works that no other man has done, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen, and hated both me and my Father.
If I had not done among them the works that no other man has done, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen, and hated both me and my Father.
Then, when he said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life through his name.
He said to them: Throw the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find. They threw it, there fore, and were no longer able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, clearly pointed out to you as a man from God, by mighty deeds and wonders and signs, which God did by him in your midst, as you yourselves also know,
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, clearly pointed out to you as a man from God, by mighty deeds and wonders and signs, which God did by him in your midst, as you yourselves also know,
But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none: but what I have, this I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, arise and walk.
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him does this man stand before you in health. This is the stone that was rejected with contempt by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. read more. And there is salvation in no other; nor, indeed, is there another name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.
who, when they had gone down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For he had not yet fallen on any of them; only they had been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. read more. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money, saying: Give me, also, this authority, that who ever I shall lay my hands on, may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him: Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money.
While Peter was speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word. And the believers that were of the circumcision, as many as had come with Peter, were astonished, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit: read more. for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered:
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be ac cursed. As we said before, so even now I say again, if any one preaches to you any other gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed.
he will destroy him, whose coming is, according to the energy of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,
But know this, that in the last days trying times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, read more. without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, haters of those who are good, traitors, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from these also turn away. For of this sort are those who worm themselves into houses, and lead captive silly women that are laden with sins, and influenced by various desires, that are always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also will withstand the truth; men corrupt in mind, rejected as it respects the faith.
God also bearing testimony with them by signs and wonders, and by various mighty deeds, and by distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
and we have the prophetic word better established. You do well to attend to this, as to a lamp that shines in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the morning star arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture came from private interpretation: read more. for the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Behold, he comes with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and those also who pierced him: and all the tribes of the land shall lament because of him. Even so. Amen.
And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence; and he causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. read more. And he does great signs, and even causes fire to descend from heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth, by means of the signs which he is allowed to do in the presence of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image for the beast which had the wound by the sword, and did live. And it was granted him to give spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast, to be killed.
And the beast was taken, and the false prophet that was with him, who did signs in his presence, with which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast, and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brim stone.
Hastings
MIRACLES
1. The narratives
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and said to him: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: He will give his angels charge concerning you; and in their hands shall they take you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is again written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the proof.
And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying: I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as you have believed, so be it to you. And his servant was restored to health in that hour.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose and ministered to him.
And he said to them: Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm. But the men were astonished, and said: What man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! read more. And when he had come to the opposite side, into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two men, coming out of the tombs, possessed with demons, very fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
But that you may know that the Son of man on earth has authority to forgive sins (then he said to the palsied man): Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
But that you may know that the Son of man on earth has authority to forgive sins (then he said to the palsied man): Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
But Jesus turned, and saw her, and said: Daughter, be of good courage; your faith has saved you. And the woman was saved from that hour.
But when the multitude had been sent out, he went in, and took the maiden by the hand, and she arose.
Then he touched their eyes, and said: According to your faith, be it to you.
And after the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke. And the multitudes were astonished, and said: Never was it seen thus in Israel.
Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Then he began to reprove the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
Then he said to the man: Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored to soundness, like the other.
Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb: and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw.
And he did not many mighty works there, on account of their unbelief.
And he commanded the multitudes to recline upon the grass: and he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the multitudes.
And Peter answered him, and said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water.
Then Jesus answered and said to her: woman, great is your faith; be it to you as you desire. And her daughter was restored to health from that hour.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign: and no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. And he left them and departed.
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and he came out of him: and the child was cured from that hour.
But that we may give them no offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you will find a stater; take that, and give to them for me and you.
But that we may give them no offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you will find a stater; take that, and give to them for me and you.
Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and their eyes immediately received sight, and they followed him.
and seeing a fig-tree on the road, he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves; and he said to it: Let no fruit grow on you henceforth forever. And the fig-tree immediately withered.
and seeing a fig-tree on the road, he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves; and he said to it: Let no fruit grow on you henceforth forever. And the fig-tree immediately withered.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.
teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo; I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be silent, and come out of him.
And immediately his ears were opened, and the band of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
Then he again laid his hands on his eyes, and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw all things clearly.
And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
And when they had done this, they inclosed a great number of fishes, and their net began to break;
And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, and said: Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.
And he that had been dead, sat up and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother.
And the disciples of John told him of all these things.
And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her: Woman, you are released from your infirmity.
And behold, there was a man before him, who had the dropsy.
Were there none found to return and give glory to God, but this one of another race?
When the governor of the feast had tasted the water that had been made wine, (and he knew not whence it was, but the servants that had drawn the water knew,) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and said to him:
This beginning of signs Jesus made in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Then said Jesus to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
Then said Jesus to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
Jesus said to him: Go, your child lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke, and departed.
Jesus said to him: Arise, take up your bed and walk.
But I have testimony greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, these very works which I do, testify concerning me, that the Father has sent me.
Then the men, after having seen the sign which Jesus did, said: This is, in truth, the prophet that was to come into the world.
and said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloam; which, translated, means Sent. He went, therefore, and washed and came seeing.
Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted -up his eyes and said: Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me. I know, in deed, that thou dost always hear me. But for the sake of the multitude who stand around me, I have said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And he that had been dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound around with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go.
But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
But though he had done so many signs in their presence, yet they believed not on him,
Believe me, that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me. If not, believe me on account of the works themselves.
He said to them: Throw the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find. They threw it, there fore, and were no longer able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
And fear came on every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And he took him by his right hand and raised him up: and immediately his feet and ankles received strength.
And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all that heard these things.
And she immediately fell down at his feet, and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead; and they carried her out, and buried her by the side of her husband.
And many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles; (and they were all with one con sent in Solomon's porch.
so that they brought the sick out along the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that even the shadow of Peter, as he passed along, might fall on some of them.
and they laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
And Simon himself also believed; and after he was immersed, he continued with Philip; and, seeing the mighty deeds and the signs which were done, he was astonished.
And Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus the Christ restores you to health; arise, and spread your bed for yourself. And he immediately arose;
But Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And the angel said to him: Gird your self, and bind on your sandals; and he did so. And he said to him: Throw your mantle around you, and follow me.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and he went about and sought some to lead him by the hand.
This man heard Paul speak, who, looking earnestly on him, and seeing that he had faith to be saved,
And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed.
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
But Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his life is in him.
And when Paul had brought together a heap of brushwood, and laid it on the fire, a viper came out, by reason of the heat, and fastened itself on his hand.
And it happened that the father of Publius was lying sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul went in to him, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and restored him to health.
to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.
And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
For I delivered to you among the first things, that which I also received: That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures;
and that he was buried; and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures;
he will destroy him, whose coming is, according to the energy of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,
Morish
No sincere believer in the inspiration of scripture can have a doubt as to real miracles having been wrought by the power of God both in O.T. and N.T. times. It is philosophy so-called, or scepticism, that mystifies the subject. Much is said about 'the laws of nature;' and it is confidently affirmed that these are irrevocable and cannot be departed from. To which is added that laws of nature previously unknown are frequently being discovered, and if our forefathers could witness the application of some of the more recent discoveries, as the computer, mobile telephone, etc., they would judge that miracles were being performed. So, it is argued, the actions recorded in scripture as miracles, were merely the bringing into use some law of nature which had been hidden up to that time.
All this is based upon a fallacy. There are no laws of nature, as if nature made its own laws: there are laws in nature, which God in His wisdom as Creator was pleased to make; but He who made those laws has surely the same power to suspend them when He pleases. Though laws in nature hitherto unknown are being discovered from time to time, they in no way account for such things as dead persons being raised to life, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, and demons being cast out of those who were possessed by them. Neither has natural philosophy discovered any law that will account for such a thing as an iron axe-head swimming in water. The simple truth is that God, for wise purposes, allowed some of the natural laws to be suspended, and at times He put forth His almighty power, as in supplying the Israelites with manna from heaven, and in feeding thousands from a few loaves and fishes, or by recalling life that had left the body.
The words translated 'miracle' in the O.T. are
1. oth, 'a sign,' as it is often translated, and in some places 'token.' Nu 14:22; De 11:3.
2. mopheth, 'a wonder,' as it is mostly translated: it is something out of the ordinary course of events. Ex 7:9; De 29:3.
3. pala, 'wonderful, marvellous.' Jg 6:13.
Moses was enabled to work miracles for two distinct objects. One was in order to convince the children of Israel that God had sent him. God gave him three signs to perform before them: his rod became a serpent, and was again a rod; his hand became leprous, and was then restored; and he could turn the water of the Nile into blood. Ex 4:1-9.
The other miracles, wrought by him in Egypt, were to show to Pharaoh the mighty power of God, who said, I will "multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt . . . . and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt." Ex 7:3-5. The ten plagues followed, which were miracles or signs of the power of God
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And behold, a leper came and did him homage, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying: I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. read more. And Jesus said to him: See that you tell no one. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. And when he entered Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying: Lord, my servant lies in my house, palsied, fearfully afflicted. And Jesus said to him: I will go and cure him. And the centurion answering, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but say in a word only, and my servant shall be restored to health. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to an other, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. And when Jesus heard it, he was filled with admiration, and said to those who followed him: Verily I say to you, not even in Israel have I found so great faith. I also say to you, That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast into the darkness that is without. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as you have believed, so be it to you. And his servant was restored to health in that hour. And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying, and ill of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose and ministered to him.
And when he had entered the ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there was a great tempest in the sea, so that the ship was covered by the waves: but he was asleep. read more. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying: Lord, save us; we perish. And he said to them: Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great calm. But the men were astonished, and said: What man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! And when he had come to the opposite side, into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two men, coming out of the tombs, possessed with demons, very fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Son of God? Hast thou come hither to torment us before the time? Now there was, at a distance from them, a herd of many swine, feeding. And the demons besought him, saying: If thou cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said to them: Go. And when they had come out, they went away into the herd of swine. And behold, the whole herd of swine rushed down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And those who fed them fled, and went into the city, and told every thing, and what had happened to those who had been possessed with the demons. And, behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they besought him to depart out of their borders.
And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the palsied man: Son, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven you. And behold, some of the scribes said within themselves: This man talks impiously. read more. And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said: "Why do evil thoughts arise in your hearts? For, which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man on earth has authority to forgive sins (then he said to the palsied man): Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he arose, and departed to his house.
While he was speaking these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came and did him homage, saying: My daughter is already dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus and his disciples arose and followed him. read more. And behold, a woman that had been diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years, came behind him, and touched the fringe of his mantle.
And behold, a woman that had been diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years, came behind him, and touched the fringe of his mantle. For she said within herself: If I may only touch his mantle, I shall be saved.
For she said within herself: If I may only touch his mantle, I shall be saved. But Jesus turned, and saw her, and said: Daughter, be of good courage; your faith has saved you. And the woman was saved from that hour.
But Jesus turned, and saw her, and said: Daughter, be of good courage; your faith has saved you. And the woman was saved from that hour. And when Jesus came into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making lamentation, read more. he said to them: Depart; for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. But when the multitude had been sent out, he went in, and took the maiden by the hand, and she arose. And the fame of this went abroad in all that land. And as Jesus was departing thence, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying: Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he had entered the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus said to them: Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, and said: According to your faith, be it to you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus strictly charged them, saying: See that no one know it, But they went out and spread his fame abroad in all that land. And as they were going out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon. And after the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke. And the multitudes were astonished, and said: Never was it seen thus in Israel.
And behold, a man was there that had a withered hand. And they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath-days? that they might accuse him. And he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the Sabbath-day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out? read more. How much better, then, is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-days. Then he said to the man: Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored to soundness, like the other.
Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb: and he cured him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw.
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, and said: This is a desert place, and the hour is now past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them: They need not go away; do you give them food. read more. They said to him: We have here but five loaves and two fishes. He said: Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitudes to recline upon the grass: and he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the multitudes. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what remained of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. read more. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were alarmed, and said: It is a specter! and they cried out for fear. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, and said: Take courage; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him, and said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on the water. And he said: Come. And Peter went down from the ship, and walked upon the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind strong, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. And Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, and took hold of him, and said to him: you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they had entered the ship, the wind ceased. And they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying: Truly, thou art the Son of God.
And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the regions of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Chanaan came out from those borders, and cried to him, saying: Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon. read more. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she cries after us. But he answered and said: I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and did him homage, saying: Lord, help me. He answered and said: It is not good to take the children's bread, and throw it to the little dogs. She replied: Yes, Lord; and yet thou canst help me; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters. Then Jesus answered and said to her: woman, great is your faith; be it to you as you desire. And her daughter was restored to health from that hour.
Then Jesus called his disciples to him, and said: I have compassion on the multitude, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. And I am not willing to send them away fasting, lest they faint on the road. And his disciples said to him: Whence should we have in the desert as many loaves as would satisfy so great a multitude? read more. And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? They said: Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to recline on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke, and gave thorn to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up what remained of the broken pieces, seven baskets full. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
And when they had come to the multitude, there came to him a man who knelt to him, and said: Lord, have mercy on my son; for ho is a lunatic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. read more. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they were not able to cure him. Jesus answered and said: faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the demon, and he came out of him: and the child was cured from that hour.
And when they had come into Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma came to Peter, and said: Does not your teacher pay the didrachma? He said: Yes. And when he had come into the house, before he had spoken, Jesus said to him: What think you, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tax or tribute? From their own sons, or from the sons of others? read more. Peter said to him: From the sons of others. Jesus said to him: Then are their own sons free. But that we may give them no offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you will find a stater; take that, and give to them for me and you.
And behold, two blind men, sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying: Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David. And the multitude charged them to be silent. But they cried the more, saying: Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David. read more. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said: What do you wish me to do for you? They said to him: Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and their eyes immediately received sight, and they followed him.
Now in the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry: and seeing a fig-tree on the road, he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves; and he said to it: Let no fruit grow on you henceforth forever. And the fig-tree immediately withered. read more. And when the disciples saw it, they were astonished, and said: How soon has the fig-tree withered! Jesus answered and said to them: Verily I say to you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall do, not only what is done to the fig-tree, but even if you shall say to this mountain, Be taken up, and be thrown into the sea, it shall be done. And all things that you ask for in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
And there was in their synagogue a man who had an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying: Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Nazarene? Hast thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be silent, and come out of him. And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, and cried with a loud voice, and came out of him. And all were amazed, so that they questioned one another, saying: What means this? What new teaching is this, that with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him? And his fame immediately went abroad into all the surrounding country of Galilee.
Now the mother-in-law of Simon lay sick of a fever. And at once they told him of her. And he went to her, and took her by the hand, and raised her up, and the fever left her instantly; and she ministered to them.
And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him: I will; be clean. read more. And when he had spoken, the leprosy immediately departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he strictly charged him, and forthwith sent him away, and said to him: See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to publish the matter abroad, so that he was no longer able to enter a city openly, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
And they came to him, bringing a paralytic, who was carried by four men. And not being able to come near him, on account of the multitude, they took off the roof where he was, and having broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. read more. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic: Son, your sins are forgiven you. But some of the scribes were sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts: Why does this man thus speak impiously? Who can forgive sins but God only? And Jesus, immediately perceiving in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them: Why are you reasoning thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, take up your bed and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man on earth has authority to forgive sins, (he said to the paralytic,) I say to you, Arise, take up your bed and go to your house. And he arose forthwith, and took up his bed, and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying: We have never seen it thus.
And when they had sent the multitude away, they took him with them, as he was in the ship; and there were other little ships with him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves dashed into the ship, so that it was now full. read more. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on the pillow. And they awoke him, and said to him: Teacher, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said to them: Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? And they were greatly afraid, and said one to another: Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
And they came to the opposite side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he had come out of the ship, immediately there met him from the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, read more. who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could keep him bound even with chains; because he had often been bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been pulled to pieces by him, and the fetters had been broken, and no one had strength to subdue him; and always, night and day, he was in the tombs, and in the mountains, crying out, and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus at a distance, he ran and did him homage; and crying out with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of God Most High? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he had said to him: Unclean spirit, come out of the man. And he asked him: What is your name? And he said to him: My name is Legion; for we are many. And he earnestly besought him that he would not send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there near the mountain. And the demons besought him, saying: Send us to the swine, that we may enter into them. And Jesus immediately gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out and entered into the swine; and the herd (they were about two thousand,) rushed down a steep place into the sea, and were strangled in the sea. And those who fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came out to see what had been done; and they came to Jesus and saw the demoniac, who had had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how it had happened to the demoniac, and also concerning the swine. And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders. And when he had entered the ship, he that had been possessed with the demons besought him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him, but said to him: Go home to your relatives, and make known to them what things the Lord has done for you, and that he has had compassion on you. And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what things Jesus had done for him. And all were astonished.
And behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him earnestly, saying: My little daughter is at the point of death; come, lay thy hands on her, that she may be saved, and she will live. read more. And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and pressed upon him. And a certain woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years,
And a certain woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years, and had suffered much from many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was in no way benefited, but rather grew worse,
and had suffered much from many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was in no way benefited, but rather grew worse, when she heard of Jesus, came be hind him in the multitude, and touched his mantle;
when she heard of Jesus, came be hind him in the multitude, and touched his mantle; for she said: If I may even touch his clothes, I shall be saved.
for she said: If I may even touch his clothes, I shall be saved. And immediately the fountain of her blood dried up, and she knew in her body that she was cured of that plague.
And immediately the fountain of her blood dried up, and she knew in her body that she was cured of that plague. And Jesus, immediately perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, turned around in the multitude and said: Who touched my clothes?
And Jesus, immediately perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, turned around in the multitude and said: Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude pressing upon thee, and dost thou say, Who touched me?
And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude pressing upon thee, and dost thou say, Who touched me? And he looked around to see her that had done this.
And he looked around to see her that had done this. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing; what had been done within her. came and fell down before him; and told him all the truth.
But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing; what had been done within her. came and fell down before him; and told him all the truth. And he said to her: Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace, and be cured of your plague.
And he said to her: Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace, and be cured of your plague. While he was yet speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue, who said: Your daughter is dead; why give the Teacher further trouble? read more. But as soon as Jesus heard what was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe. And he suffered no one to follow him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult, and those who were weeping and wailing greatly. And he went in and said to them: Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. But when he had put them all out, he took the father and mother of the child, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. And he took the child by the hand, and said to her: Talitha kumi; which is, when translated, Maiden, (I say to you,) arise. And the maiden immediately arose and walked, for she was twelve years old. And they were greatly astonished. And he charged them strictly that no one should know this. And he commanded that something should be given her to eat.
And when much of the day was now spent, his disciples came to him, and said: This is a desert place, and much of the day is now spent; send them away, that they may go into the country and the villages round about, and buy bread for them selves: for they have nothing to eat. read more. He answered and said to them: Do you give them food. And they said to him: Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them food? He said to them: How many loaves have you? Go and see. And when they had learned, they said: Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all recline in table parties upon the green grass. And they reclined in oblong squares, by hundreds, and by fifties. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and blessed; and he broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to place before them. And he divided the two fishes among them all. And they all ate, and were satisfied; and they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces, and of the fishes. And those who ate of the loaves were about five thousand men.
And when evening came, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone upon the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea, and intended to pass by them. read more. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a specter, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. And he immediately spoke to them, and said: Take courage; it is I; be not afraid. And he went up to them into the ship; and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered;
and ran through the whole of that region round about, and began to carry the sick on beds, wherever they heard that he was. And whatever place he entered, whether villages or cities or country, they laid the sick in the market-places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his mantle: and as many as touched him were saved.
And he arose and departed thence to the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and desired that no one should know it; but he could not escape notice. For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet; read more. (the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation,) and she besought him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her: Let the children be satisfied first; for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs. She answered and said to him: Yes, Lord; and yd you can help me, for the little dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said to her: For this saying, go your way: the demon has gone out of your daughter. And she went to her house, and found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying upon the bed. And again he went out from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they brought to him a deaf man, who spoke with difficulty; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him: Ephphatha, which means, Be opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the band of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more earnestly they published it. And they were amazed beyond measure, and said: He Las done all things well: he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.
And he came to Bethsaida; and they brought to him a blind man, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village. And he spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, and asked him if he saw any thing. read more. And he looked up and said: I see men, like trees, walking. Then he again laid his hands on his eyes, and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw all things clearly. And he sent him away to his house, and said: Neither go into the village, nor tell it to any one in the village.
And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and scribes disputing with them. And at once, all the multitude, on seeing him, were struck with awe, and ran to him and saluted him. read more. And he asked the scribes: Why are you disputing with, them? And one of the multitude answered and said: Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a dumb spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him into convulsions; and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples to cast him out, and they were not able. And he answered them, and said: faithless generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me. And they brought him to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions; and he fell on the ground, and rolled himself, foaming. And he asked his father: How long is it since this came upon him? He replied: From childhood. And often it throws him into the fire, and into the water, to destroy him. But if you are able to do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said to him: If you are able to believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out, and with tears said: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, and said to it: Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter into him no more. And the spirit cried out, and threw him into strong convulsions, and came out of him; and he was like one dead, so that many said: He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up, and he arose.
And they came to Jericho: and as he was going out of Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timseus, was sitting on the roadside, begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! read more. And many rebuked him, that he should be silent. But he cried out yet the more: Son of David, have mercy on me! And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, and said to him: Take courage; arise, he calls you. And throwing away his mantle, he arose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said to him: What do you wish me to do for you? The blind man said to him: Rabboni, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him: Go, your faith has saved you. And he immediately received his sight, and followed Jesus on the road.
And on the morrow, as they were coming from Bethany, he was hungry; and he saw at a distance a fig-tree that had leaves; and he went, if perhaps he might find any thing on it. And when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the time for figs. read more. And he answered and said to it: No more may any one ever eat fruit from you. And his disciples heard it. And they came into Jerusalem; and Jesus entered the temple, and began to drive out those who sold, and those who bought in the temple; and he overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves. And he suffered no one to carry a vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying to them: Is it not written, My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers. And the scribes and the chief priests heard him; and they sought how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude were astonished at his teaching. And when evening had come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. And Peter, calling his words to mind, said to him: Rabbi, see! the fig-tree which thou didst curse has withered. And Jesus answered and said to them: Have faith in God. For, verily I say to you, that whoever will say to this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea, and will not doubt in his heart, but believe that what he says will come to pass, he shall have whatever he says. For this reason I say to you: All things that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive them, and they shall be yours.
He that believes and is immersed, shall be saved; he that believes not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe. In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; read more. they shall take up serpents; and, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
And there was in the synagogue a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying: Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Nazarene? Hast thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be silent, and come out of him. And the demon threw him into the midst, and came out of him, and hurt him not. And amazement came upon all, and they spoke one to another, saying: "What teaching is this? for with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And his fame went abroad into every place of the country round about. And he arose and went out of the synagogue into the house of Simon. And Simon's mother-in-law was confined with a violent fever: and they besought him in her behalf. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever, and it left her: and she arose immediately, and ministered to them.
And it came to pass while the multitude was pressing on him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, that he saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. read more. And he entered one of the ships, which was Simon s, and requested him to push out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitude from the ship. And when he had made an end of speaking, he said to Simon: Push out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said to him: Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing; but at thy command, I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they inclosed a great number of fishes, and their net began to break; and they beckoned to their partners who were in the other ship, to come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, and said: Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. For amazement at the draught of fishes which they had caught had seized upon him and all that were with him; and in like manner also upon James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: Fear not; from this time forth you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to the land, they left all and followed him. And it came to pass, that he was in one of their cities; and behold, a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And stretching out his hand, he touched him, and said: I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and make offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, that it may be a testimony to them. But his fame went abroad the more; and many multitudes came together to hear, and to be cured by him of their infirmities.
And behold, men brought, on a bed, a man who was a paralytic. And they sought how they might bring him in, and lay him before him. And finding no way by which they could bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up on the top of the house, and, through the tiling, let him down, with his bed, into the midst before Jesus. read more. And when he saw their faith, he said to him: Man, your sins are forgiven you. And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying: Who is this that utters impious words? Who can forgive sins but God alone? But Jesus perceived their reasonings, and answered and said to them: Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say., Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man on the earth has power to forgive sins, (he said to the paralytic,) I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go to your house. And he immediately arose before them, took up that on which he had been lying, and went away to his own house, glorifying God. And astonishment seized upon all, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying: We have seen strange things to-day.
And it came to pass, on another sabbath, that he entered the synagogue and taught; and a man was there, whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched closely, whether he would heal on the sabbath-day, that they might find an accusation against him. read more. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had the withered hand: Rise, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose, and stood. Then Jesus said to them, I will ask you a question: Which is lawful on the sabbath, to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? And looking round upon them all, he said to him: Stretch forth your hand. And he did so; and his hand was restored like the other. But they were filled with madness, and began to consult with one another what they should do to Jesus.
And when he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he went into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die. read more. But when he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, and besought him to come and save his servant. And they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying: He is worthy for whom thou shouldst do this; for he loves our nation, and of his own accord has built us a synagogue. And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, and said to him: Lord, give thyself no trouble; for I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof. For which reason, neither did I count myself worthy to go to thee; but command in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man placed under authority, and have soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. And when Jesus heard these things, he was filled with admiration for him; and, turning to the multitude that followed, he said: I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found so great faith. And they that had been sent, returned to the house, and found the servant that had been sick restored to health. And it came to pass, the next day, that he was going to a city called Nain; and many of his disciples and a great multitude followed him. And when he came near the gate of tho city, behold, they were carrying out a dead man, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a great multitude from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her: Weep not. And he went and touched the bier; and those who were carrying it, stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to you, Arise. And he that had been dead, sat up and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother. And fear seized on all; and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet has arisen among us; and, God has visited his people. And this report concerning him went abroad into all Judea and all the neighboring region.
And it came to pass, on a certain day, that he entered a ship with his disciples; and he said to them: Let us go over to the other side of the lake. And they set sail. And while they were sailing, he fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down upon the lake, and they began to be filled, and were in danger. read more. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying: Master, master, we perish. But he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said to them: "Where is your faith? And being afraid, they wondered, and said one to another: "Who, then, is this, that he commands even the wind and the water, and they obey him? And they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite to Galilee. And when he came out upon the land, there met him a certain man from the city, who had been possessed with demons for a long time, and who wore no clothes, and dwelt in no house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of God Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not. For he had O; commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized upon him, and he had been bound with chains and fetters, and kept in confinement; and he broke the bonds, and was driven by the demon into the deserts. And Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? He answered, Legion; for many demons had entered into him. And they be sought him, that he would not command them to -go away into the abyss. And there was in that place a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain. And they besought him to permit them to go into them. And he permitted them. And the demons came out of the man, and went into the swine; and the herd rushed down a steep place into the lake, and were drowned. And when those who fed them saw what was done, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And they came out to see what had been done; and they came to Jesus, and saw the man out of whom the demons had gone, clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it, told them by what means the man who had been possessed with the demons, was saved. And the whole multitude of the neighboring country of the Gadarenes besought him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear. And he entered the ship and returned. And the man out of whom the demons had gone, besought him that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying: Return to your house, and tell what things God has done for you. And he went away, proclaiming through the whole city what Jesus had done for him.
And, behold, there came a man, whose name was Jairus; and he was a ruler of the synagogue; and he fell down at the feet of Jesus, and besought him to come into his house; for he had a daughter, his only child, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. And as he went, the multitude pressed upon him. read more. And a woman that had been afflicted with an issue of blood for twelve years, who had spent her whole living upon physicians, and could be cured by no one,
And a woman that had been afflicted with an issue of blood for twelve years, who had spent her whole living upon physicians, and could be cured by no one, came behind, and touched the fringe of his mantle; and her issue of blood immediately ceased.
came behind, and touched the fringe of his mantle; and her issue of blood immediately ceased. And Jesus said: Who touched me? When they all denied, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes press upon thee, and throng thee, and dost thou say, Who touched me?
And Jesus said: Who touched me? When they all denied, Peter and those with him said: Master, the multitudes press upon thee, and throng thee, and dost thou say, Who touched me? But Jesus said: Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.
But Jesus said: Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me. And the woman, seeing that she had not escaped notice, came trembling, and fell down before him, and told him, before all the people, for what cause she had touched him, and that she was immediately restored to health.
And the woman, seeing that she had not escaped notice, came trembling, and fell down before him, and told him, before all the people, for what cause she had touched him, and that she was immediately restored to health. And he said to her: Take courage, daughter; your faith has saved you; go in peace.
And he said to her: Take courage, daughter; your faith has saved you; go in peace. While he was yet speaking, there came some one from the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and said to him: Your daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. read more. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying: Fear not, only believe, and she shall be saved. And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to go in but Peter and James and John, and the father and the mother of the child. And all were weeping and lamenting her. Bat he said: Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him, knowing that she was dead. But he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, and said: Child, arise. And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And he commanded that food should be given her. And her parents were amazed. But he charged them to tell no one what had been done.
And the day began to decline; and the twelve came and said to him: Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and the country round about, and lodge, and find food; for we are here in a desert place. But he said to them: Do you give them food. They replied: We have nothing but five loaves and two fishes, unless we go and buy food for all these people. read more. For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples: Make them recline in companies of fifty. And they did so, and made them all recline. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave them to the disciples, to set before the multitude. And they all ate, and were satisfied; and there was taken up what remained to them of the broken pieces, twelve baskets.
And it came to pass, that, on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. And, behold, a man from the multitude cried out, saying: Teacher, I beseech thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child; read more. and, behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out, and it throws him into convulsions, and causes him to foam, and after depriving him of strength, hardly departs from him. And I entreated thy disciples to cast it out; but they were not able. And Jesus answering, said: unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you! Bring your son hither. And while he was coming, the demon cast him to the ground, and threw him into convulsions; but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and restored the child to health, and gave him back to his father.
And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb; and it came to pass, when the demon had gone out, that the dumb man spoke: and the multitudes wondered.
And, behold, there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and was not able to raise herself up at all. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her: Woman, you are released from your infirmity. read more. And he laid his hands on her; and she immediately stood erect, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had performed a cure on the sabbath-day, answered and said to the multitude: There are six days in which work ought to be done; on these, therefore, come and be cured, and not on the sabbath-day. Then the Lord answered him and said: Hypocrites, does not each one of you, on the sabbath, loose his ox or his ass from the stable, and lead him away, and give him water? And ought not this woman, who is a daughter of Abra ham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the sabbath-day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed; and all the multitude rejoiced on account of all the glorious things that were done by him.
And it came to pass, as he was journeying to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood at a distance. read more. And they lift ed up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said to them: Go, show your selves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were made clean. Bat, one of them, seeing that he was restored to health, turned back, and, with a loud voice, glorified God. And he fell on his face at his feet, and gave him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answered and said: Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Were there none found to return and give glory to God, but this one of another race? And he said to him: Arise, and go; your faith has saved you.
And it came to pass, that, as he came near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. read more. And they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. And he cried out and said: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And those who went before rebuked him, that he should be silent. But he cried so much the more: Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, saying: What do you wish me to do for you? he replied: Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said to him: Receive your sight; your faith has saved you. And he immediately received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
And a certain one of them struck the servant of the chief priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said: Let this matter proceed thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him.
And on the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the marriage. read more. And the wine having failed, the mother of Jesus said to him: They have no wine. Jesus said to her: Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants: Whatever he says to you, do. Now, according to the Jewish custom of purifying, six water-pots of stone had been set there, containing each two or three baths. Jesus said to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them to the brim. And he said to them: Draw out now, and carry it to the governor of the feast. And they carried it. When the governor of the feast had tasted the water that had been made wine, (and he knew not whence it was, but the servants that had drawn the water knew,) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and said to him: Every man sets out the good wine first, and when they have drunk freely, then that which is inferior; but you have kept the good wino till now. This beginning of signs Jesus made in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Then Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain courtier, whose sou was sick in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and besought him that he would come down, and restore his son to health, for he was about to die. read more. Then said Jesus to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The courtier said to him: Sir, come down before my child die. Jesus said to him: Go, your child lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke, and departed. And as he was going down, his servants met him, and said: Your son lives. Then he inquired of them the hour in which he was restored to health. And they said to him: Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him. Then his father knew that it was in the same hour in which Jesus said to him, Your son lives. And he himself, and all his house, believed. This is the second sign which Jesus did, when he came out of Judea into Galilee.
Then Jesus, lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? But this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he was about to do. read more. Philip answered him: Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, that each may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him: There is a lad here that has five barley loaves, and two little fishes; but what are these among so many? But Jesus said: Make die men recline. Now, there was much grass in the place. So the men reclined, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks, distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those who had reclined; and in like manner of the fishes, as much as they wished. And when they were satisfied, he said to his disciples: Gather up the broken pieces which remain, that nothing be lost. Then they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the broken pieces of the five barley loaves, which remained after they had eaten. Then the men, after having seen the sign which Jesus did, said: This is, in truth, the prophet that was to come into the world.
And when evening had come, his disciples went down to the sea, and, having entered the ship, went across the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them. read more. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that was blowing. Then, having rowed about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and coming near the ship; and they were afraid. But he said to them: It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land to which they were going.
Then Jesus, again greatly moved within himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid against it. Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days. read more. Jesus said to her: Did I not tell you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted -up his eyes and said: Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me. I know, in deed, that thou dost always hear me. But for the sake of the multitude who stand around me, I have said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that had been dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound around with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go.
After this, Jesus showed himself again to his disciples, at the sea of Tiberias. And he showed himself in this way. There were together, Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter said to them: I am going a fishing. They said to him: We also are going with you. They went out and entered the ship; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them: Children, have you any food? They answered him: No. He said to them: Throw the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find. They threw it, there fore, and were no longer able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. And when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded on his outer coat, for he had on his inner garment only, and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship, dragging the net with fishes, for they were not far from the land, only about two hundred cubits. As soon as they had come to the land, they saw there a fire of coals, and fish lying upon it, and bread. Jesus said to them; Bring of the fish that you have just taken. Simon Peter went and drew the net to the land, full of large fishes, a hundred and fifty-three. And though they were so many, the net did not break. Jesus said to them: Come and breakfast. But no one of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? because they knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third occasion on which Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
And there are also many other things that Jesus did; if they should be written, every one of them, I suppose that not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, clearly pointed out to you as a man from God, by mighty deeds and wonders and signs, which God did by him in your midst, as you yourselves also know,
But there was a certain man, named Simon, who had, be fore this time, been practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying that he was some great one;
And having gone through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus; and he was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was a man of intelligence. This man called for Barnabas and Saul, and expressed an earnest wish to hear the word of God. read more. But the magician Elymas (for this is his name, when translated) withstood them, desiring to turn away the proconsul from the faith.
And many of those who practiced magic, brought together their books, and burned them, in the presence of all. And they computed their value, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Truly, the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
he will destroy him, whose coming is, according to the energy of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every letter: so I write.
And he does great signs, and even causes fire to descend from heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth, by means of the signs which he is allowed to do in the presence of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image for the beast which had the wound by the sword, and did live.
Smith
Miracles.
A miracle may be defined to be a plain and manifest exercise by a man, or by God at the call of a man, of those powers which belong only to the Creator and Lord of nature; and this for the declared object of attesting that a divine mission is given to that man. It is not, therefore, the wonder, the exception to common experience, that constitutes the miracle, as is assumed both in the popular use of the word and by most objectors against miracles. No phenomenon in nature, however unusual, no event in the course of God's providence, however unexpected, is a miracle unless it can be traced to the agency of man (including prayer under the term agency), and unless it be put forth as a proof of divine mission. Prodigies and special providences are not miracles. (A miracle is not a violation of the laws of nature. It is God's acting upon nature in a degree far beyond our powers, but the same king of act as our wills are continually exerting upon nature. We do not in lifting a stone interfere with any law of nature, but exert a higher force among the laws. Prof. Tyndall says that "science does assert that without a disturbance of natural law quite as serious as the stoppage of an eclipse, or the rolling of the St. Lawrence up the falls of Niagara, no act of humiliation, individual or nation, could call one shower from heaven." And yet men by firing cannon during battle can cause a shower: does that cause such a commotion among the laws of nature? The exertion of a will upon the laws does not make a disturbance of natural law; and a miracle is simply the exertion of God's will upon nature. --ED.) Again, the term "nature" suggests to many persons the idea of a great system of things endowed with powers and forces of its own --a sort of machine, set a-going originally by a first cause, but continuing its motions of itself. Hence we are apt to imagine that a change in the motion or operation of any part of it by God would produce the same disturbance of the other parts as such a change would be likely to produce in them if made by us or by any other natural agent. But if the motions and operations of material things be produced really by the divine will, then his choosing to change, for a special purpose, the ordinary motion of one part does not necessarily or probably imply his choosing to change the ordinary motions of other parts in a way not at all requisite for the accomplishment of that special purpose. It is as easy for him to continue the ordinary course of the rest, with the change of one part, as of all the phenomena without any change at all. Thus, though the stoppage of the motion of the earth in the ordinary course of nature would be attended with terrible convulsions, the stoppage of the earth miraculously, for a special purpose to be served by that only, would not of itself be followed by any such consequences. (Indeed, by the action of gravitation it could be stopped, as a stone thrown up is stopped, in less than two minutes, and yet so gently as not to stir the smallest feather or mote on its surface. --ED.) From the same conception of nature as a machine, we are apt to think of interferences with the ordinary course of nature as implying some imperfection in it. But it is manifest that this is a false analogy; for the reason why machines are made is to save us trouble; and, therefore, they are more perfect in proportion as they answer this purpose. But no one can seriously imagine that the universe is a machine for the purpose of saving trouble to the Almighty. Again, when miracles are described as "interferences with the law of nature," this description makes them appear improbable to many minds, from their not sufficiently considering that the laws of nature interfere with one another, and that we cannot get rid of "interferences" upon any hypothesis consistent with experience. The circumstances of the Christian miracles are utterly unlike those of any pretended instances of magical wonders. This difference consists in -- (1) The greatness, number, completeness and publicity of the miracles. (2) In the character of the miracles. They were all beneficial, helpful, instructive, and worthy of God as their author. (3) The natural beneficial tendency of the doctrine they attested. (4) The connection of them with a whole scheme of revelation extending from the origin of the human race to the time of Christ.
Watsons
MIRACLES. A miracle, in the popular sense, is a prodigy, or an extraordinary event, which surprises us by its novelty. In a more accurate and philosophic sense, a miracle is an effect which does not follow from any of the regular laws of nature, or which is inconsistent with some known law of it, or contrary to the settled constitution and course of things. Accordingly, all miracles presuppose an established system of nature, within the limits of which they operate, and with the order of which they disagree. Of a miracle in the theological sense many definitions have been given. That of Dr. Samuel Clarke is: "A miracle is a work effected in a manner unusual, or different from the common and regular method of providence, by the interposition of God himself, or of some intelligent agent superior to man, for the proof or evidence of some particular doctrine, or in attestation of the authority of some particular person." Mr. Hume has insidiously or erroneously maintained that a miracle is contrary to experience; but in reality it is only different from experience. Experience informs us that one event has happened often; testimony informs us that another event has happened once or more. That diseases should be generally cured by the application of external causes, and sometimes at the mere word of a prophet, and without the visible application of causes, are facts not inconsistent with each other in the nature of things themselves, nor irreconcilable according to our ideas. Each fact may arise from its own proper cause; each may exist independently of the other; and each is known by its own proper proof, whether of sense or testimony. As secret causes often produce events contrary to those we do expect from experience, it is equally conceivable that events should sometimes be produced which we do not expect. To pronounce, therefore, a miracle to be false, because it is different from experience, is only to conclude against its general existence from the very circumstance which constitutes its particular nature; for if it were not different from experience, where would be its singularity? or what particular proof could be drawn from it, if it happened according to the ordinary train of human events, or was included in the operation of the general laws of nature? We grant that it does differ from experience; but we do not presume to make our experience the standard of the divine conduct. He that acknowledges a God must, at least, admit the possibility of a miracle. The atheist, that makes him inseparable from what is called nature, and binds him to its laws by an insurmountable necessity; that deprives him of will, and wisdom, and power, as a distinct and independent Being; may deny even the very possibility of a miraculous interposition, which can in any instance suspend or counteract those general laws by which the world is governed. But he who allows of a First Cause in itself perfect and intelligent, abstractedly from those effects which his wisdom and power have produced, must at the same time allow that this cause can be under no such restraints as to be debarred the liberty of controlling its laws as often as it sees fit. Surely, the Being that made the world can govern it, or any part of it, in such a manner as he pleases; and he that constituted the very laws by which it is in general conducted, may suspend the operation of those laws in any given instance, or impress new powers on matter, in order to produce new and extraordinary effects.
In judging of miracles there are certain criteria, peculiar to the subject, sufficient to conduct our inquiries, and warrant our determination. Assuredly they do not appeal to our ignorance, for they presuppose not only the existence of a general order of things, but our actual knowledge of the appearance which that order exhibits, and of the secondary material causes from which it, in most cases, proceeds. If a miraculous event were effected by the immediate hand of God, and yet bore no mark of distinction from the ordinary effects of his agency, it would impress no conviction, and probably awaken no attention. Our knowledge of the ordinary course of things, though limited, is real; and therefore it is essential to a miracle, both that it differ from that course, and be accompanied with peculiar and unequivocal signs of such difference. We have been told that the course of nature is fixed and unalterable, and therefore it is not consistent with the immutability of God to perform miracles. But, surely, they who reason in this manner beg the point in question. We have no right to assume that the Deity has ordained such general laws as will exclude his interposition; and we cannot suppose that he would forbear to interfere where any important end could be answered. This interposition, though it controls, in particular cases, the energy, does not diminish the utility, of those laws. It leaves them to fulfil their own proper purposes, and affects only a distinct purpose, for which they were not calculated. If the course of nature implies the general laws of matter and motion, into which the most opposite phenomena may be resolved, it is certain that we do not yet know them in their full extent; and, therefore, that events, which are related by judicious and disinterested persons, and at the same time imply no gross contradiction, are possible in themselves, and capable of a certain degree of proof. If the course of nature implies the whole order of events which God has ordained for the government of the world, it includes both his ordinary and extraordinary dispensations, and among them miracles may have their place, as a part of the universal plan. It is, indeed, consistent with sound philosophy, and not inconsistent with pure religion, to acknowledge that they might be disposed by the supreme Being at the same time with the more ordinary effects of his power; that their causes and occasions might be arranged with the same regularity; and that, in reference chiefly to their concomitant circumstances of persons and times, to the specific ends for which they were employed, and to our idea of the immediate necessity there is for a divine agent, miracles would differ from common events, in which the hand of God acts as efficaciously, though less visibly. On this consideration of the subject, miracles, instead of contradicting nature, might form a part of it. But what our limited reason and scanty experience may comprehend should never be represented as a full and exact view of the possible or actual varieties which exist in the works of God.
2. If we be asked whether miracles are credible, we reply, that, abstractedly considered, they are not incredible; that they are capable of indirect proof from analogy, and of direct, from testimony; that in the common and daily course of worldly affairs, events, the improbability of which, antecedently to all testimony, was very great, are proved to have happened, by the authority of competent and honest witnesses; that the Christian miracles were objects of real and proper experience to those who saw them; and that whatsoever the senses of mankind can perceive, their report may substantiate. Should it be asked whether miracles were necessary, and whether the end proposed to be effected by them could warrant so immediate and extraordinary an interference of the Almighty, as such extraordinary operations suppose; to this we might answer, that, if the fact be established, all reasonings a priori concerning their necessity must be frivolous, and may be false. We are not capable of deciding on a question which, however simple in appearance, is yet too complex in its parts, and too extensive in its object, to be fully comprehended by the human understanding. Whether God could or could not have effected all the ends designed to be promoted by the Gospel, without deviating from the common course of his providence, and interfering with its general laws, is a speculation that a modest inquirer would carefully avoid; for it carries on the very face of it a degree of presumption totally unbecoming the state of a mortal being. Infinitely safer is it for us to acquiesce in what the Almighty has done, than
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And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and tell John what you hear and see. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them;
But the Pharisees, when they heard it, said: This man does not cast out the demons, unless by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. And no city or house divided against itself shall stand. read more. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?
We know that God hears not sinners; but if any one be a worshiper of God, and do his will, him he hears. Since the beginning it has not been heard that any one opened the eyes of one who had been born blind. read more. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Jesus answered them: I have told you, and you do not believe. The works which I do in my Father's name, these testify of me.
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not;
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and said: What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we thus let him alone, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation.