In some ways, this study is just beginning. For the range of miracles in the New Testament, and the Bible as a whole, is far more extensive than we have thus far discussed. The further we go, the more we realize how different the genuine miracles of the Bible are, compared with the claims of so-called miracle-workers today. They are different in virtually every respect.
To God it is as easy to still a storm as to cure an illness, to raise the dead as to foretell the future. Therefore, when God is acting above nature, as in true miracles, we are not surprised to find that God acts equally powerfully in a wide variety of ways. Samples from Jesus and the apostles will give some idea of this variety.
Power over NATURE
Calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
Walking on water (Matthew 14:25)
Coin in the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)
Fig tree withered (Matthew 21:18-22)
Catches of fish (Luke 5:4-11; John 21:1-11)
Power over MATTER
Water to wine (John 2:1-11)
Feeding 5000 (Matthew 14:15-21)
Feeding 4000 (Matthew 15:32-38)
Power over DEMONS
Two men of Gadara (Matthew 8:28-34)
Possessed mute (Matthew 9:32-33)
Possessed blind mute (Matthew 12:22)
Daughter of Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28)
Boy with seizures (Matthew 17:14-18)
Man in synagogue (Mark 1:23-26)
Slave girl (Acts 16:16-18)
Power over PHYSICAL AFFLICTIONS
Leprosy (Matthew 8:2-4)
Severe illness (Matthew 8:5-13)
Fever (Matthew 8:14-15)
Paralysis (Matthew 9:2-7)
Bleeding (Matthew 9:20-22)
Blindness (Matthew 9:27-31)
Shriveled hand (Matthew 12:10-13)
Deaf mute (Mark 7:31-37)
Cripple (Luke 13: 11-13)
Dropsy (Luke 14:1-4)
Severed ear (Luke 22:50-51)
All sicknesses (Luke 4:40; Acts 5:16)
Power over LEARNING
Nathaniel known (John 1:45-48)
Thoughts known (Matthew 9:4, 12:25; Luke 9:47)
Foretelling (Matthew 16:21; 26:34)
Speaking human languages not learned (Acts 2:4-11)
Power over DANGER
Protection from snakes and scorpions (Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19; Acts 28:3-5)
Release from prison (Acts 12:1-17)
Infliction of blindness (Acts 9:8-9; Acts 13:11)
Power over DEATH
Jairus’ daughter raised (Matthew 9:18-19)
Widow’s son raised (Luke 7:11-15)
Lazarus raised (John 11:1-44)
Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10)
Death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
Dorcas raised (Acts 9:40)
Eutychus raised (Acts 20:9-10)
Seldom are the most obviously supernatural miracles attempted today, which in itself is telling. If claims are made, the report (for example, that someone was raised from death) tends to come from a distant place—too far for examination. Even cases that are closer may require careful investigation. (See Study Notes.)