Counting miracles

[kenisyes]

Let me clarify the OP again. How many miracles does the Bible say Jesus worked in the years of His public ministry? You cannot count the miracles God the Father worked from creation until Jesus began His ministry after being baptized by John (except wine to water), you cannot count the miracles worked by Jesus after His ascension, when He is at the right hand of the Father, and you can only count what is stated or implied in the Bible, which I think means just the four Gospels. I do not think any are mentioned anywhere else like in Acts or the Epistles, but I could be wrong.

It's not a trick question. It is strictly a Bible study project to compile the list, and then make a count. I need help sorting out certain Gospel passages that are vague as to numbers of people healed, etc..

 

[PeteWaldo]

John, right at the end of his Gospel, tells us that if all of Jesus' miracles were written down, all the books in the world could not hold them. But I have often wondered just how many miracles Jesus' worked that have been written down. I know most were healings and deliverances, a couple resurrections, and few unique ones, like water-to-wine, walking on water, feeding the 12,000 (or was it 5000, or was it twice), stopping the storm.

I'd like to know how many. Would anyone care to help me figure it out?

I'd also like to know if the same numbers are happening today, at least in some parts of the Body. (I was taught as a child, they are.) How do these numbers compare with the church they attend? How do they compare with the false claims of the international "healing" and "deliverance" "ministries"?

You don't have to wonder any longer than it takes you to read "Miraculous Movements", and what's been going on in Africa. For example a Christian felt called to minister to an extremely Christian-hostile tribe of Muslims. When he got there he learned that the chief's son was sick from a very serious mortal malady (escapes my memory as to exactly what). He (might have been a "she") laid on hands on the boy, and fasted and prayed for hour upon hour. The boy wound up being miraculously and completely healed, and the tribe became Christian, and went about converting other Muslim tribes in the area.

 

[kenisyes]

You don't have to wonder any longer than it takes you to read "Miraculous Movements", and what's been going on in Africa. For example a Christian felt called to minister to an extremely Christian-hostile tribe of Muslims. When he got there he learned that the chief's son was sick from a very serious mortal malady (escapes my memory as to exactly what). He (might have been a "she") laid on hands on the boy, and fasted and prayed for hour upon hour. The boy wound up being miraculously and completely healed, and the tribe became Christian, and went about converting other Muslim tribes in the area.

I know of many such occurrences. Are you suggesting that many more miracles are happening today? One of the reasons I want a count is to determine if this is true on a per-capita basis.

 

[piper27]

Piper, how would this apply to the OP? Are you saying that maybe our experience today isn't applicable to the question, because the work of the cross was not completed when Jesus was ministering on earth? It seems if anything, we would get more healings today because the work is "completed". It seems to me, most people feel Jesus got more because "He was God". So I have been told from childhood. The argument would then be that these people are wrong.

I would not say wrong. In fact, if we refer back to my previous post, what does the finished work of the cross mean?

When Jesus cried “It is finished” (John 19:30), He meant just that. His work on earth was done. The Atonement was complete. He provided everything we could ever need. We aren’t waiting on Him to give; He is waiting on us to receive.

 

[PeteWaldo]

I know of many such occurrences. Are you suggesting that many more miracles are happening today? One of the reasons I want a count is to determine if this is true on a per-capita basis.

That probably depends of what part of the world you are talking about. In Africa millions of Muslims are coming to Christ every year, with over 40% of them being drawn through a dream, vision, or being audibly spoken to by Jesus Christ. A large percentage of pastors are former Imams. I believe the Lord is in the process of calling in the last of His elect worldwide.

As compared to Europe, for example, where society secularized, and the "church" is dying, with Satan taking full advantage of the vacuum:

"Muslims in Europe are increasingly converting empty Christian churches into mosques.
The proliferation of mosques housed in former churches reflects the rise of Islam as the fastest growing religion in post-Christian Europe."

"As Islam replaces Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe, more and more churches are set to become mosques, which increasingly serve not only as religious institutions but also function as the foundational political building blocks for the establishment of separate, parallel Muslim communities in Europe that are based on Islamic Sharia law."

"In addition to Roman Catholic churches, some Protestant churches have also been converted into mosques in Germany, where the Muslim population has jumped from around 50,000 in the early 1980s to more than 4 million today.
In Germany as a whole, more than 400 Roman Catholic churches and more than 100 Protestant churches have been closed since 2000, according to one estimate. Another 700 Roman Catholic churches are slated to be closed over the next several years."

"Overall, at least 10,000 churches have been closed in Britain since 1960, including 8,000 Methodist churches and 1,700 Anglican churches. Another 4,000 churches are set to be closed by 2020, according to Christian Research, an organization that tracks religious trends in Britain.
By contrast, there are now more than 1,700 official mosques in Britain, many converted from former churches."
Falling Away or Apostasy

 

[piper27]

I would not say wrong. In fact, if we refer back to my previous post, what does the finished work of the cross mean?

When Jesus cried “It is finished” (John 19:30), He meant just that. His work on earth was done. The Atonement was complete. He provided everything we could ever need. We aren’t waiting on Him to give; He is waiting on us to receive.

Too late for me to edit the underlined portion: disregard -- and stick with the last part of the statement

 

[kenisyes]

"Overall, at least 10,000 churches have been closed in Britain since 1960, including 8,000 Methodist churches and 1,700 Anglican churches. Another 4,000 churches are set to be closed by 2020, according to Christian Research, an organization that tracks religious trends in Britain.
By contrast, there are now more than 1,700 official mosques in Britain, many converted from former churches."
Falling Away or Apostasy

It is also possible these churches are not doing their job, so God closed them. When I was young, there were prophecies this would happen. These churches follow a plan of man, not of God, they are businesses, not communities of Christians. God is redesigning worship and how we express Christianity to match the Bible. Most of the apostasy is the direct result of the generation ten years older than you and me who systematically threw out three consecutive generations of young people. But this is a topic for another thread.

 

[piper27]

If the finished work of the cross is done; the old covenant is fullfilled, then what are we to receive?
The fullness of him! The bible says we will do many more things greater than he.
It also says that Jesus only did the things he saw his father do. If Christ lives in me.....what shall I do?
Everything that Jesus did and more.

 

[kenisyes]

Everything that Jesus did and more.

I certainly agree with your post, Piper. But I know many people who do not. I have heard many people say that we will not do the miracles Jesus did, because He was God.

 

[piper27]

And where does Jesus live? Galatians 2:20 says,
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Can you give me more scriptures so we can walk this out? Scriptures that tell me where/how Jesus works in us.

 

[kenisyes]

And where does Jesus live? Galatians 2:20 says,
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Can you give me more scriptures so we can walk this out? Scriptures that tell me where/how Jesus works in us.

I don't understand what you are asking Piper. The purpose of the thread is to count the miracles that are reported in the Gospels of Jesus working while He was on earth. If I understand your post right, you have brought up a side topic, that they are more that He works now in us. That is not what I am asking.

 

[piper27]

What I am referring to Kenisyes, is where Christ lives. In me. Therefore - his miracles must come through whom?
As to your original post - I am not sure if then miracles could be quantified. Perhaps a formula could help?

As you stated in another post -we should get more miracles/healings today because of the finished work of the cross and because the 'work was completed'. In fact, Jesus did all the work for us; we no longer need to strive to get it. Its done.
We need to receive it. All of it.

 

[kenisyes]

I agree, Piper, the miracles worked in the world today must come through us.

OP: Here's what I mean: Jesus turned water into wine. Count, 1 miracle.
The next I see confuses me. Matt. 4:23-25 "and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease". Do I count anything here, or will the actual miracles be tabulated later. I think they will be tabulated later. Count 0, total, 1.
Matt. 8:3 healed a leper. Count 1, total 2.
Matt. 8:13 centurion's servant. Total 3.
Matt. 8:15 Peter's mother in law. Total 4. I think these last three are the beginning of the list in Matt. 4. Does anyone else agree or disagree?
Matt. 8:16 "many". I see this as maybe 20. I'll start a new column. Does anyone agree or disagree? I'm looking at the size of the town, and the fact that it was evening.
Matt. 8:26 stopped the storm, total 5 plus the other column.
Matt. 8:28 two deliverances, total 7.
This is what I mean. Now, if I just look at the last chapter, I see about a week must have elapsed, just becasue of how far apart towns are.

This is what I am trying to do, is to get at least a ballpark estimate of what is reported.

Of course, the big job comes when we start comparing the other gospels. But I get somewhere around 3 dozen specifically mentioned miracles (but that's just one a month), and several mentions of "healed all" or some such verbiage. I have several questions: Am I misinterpreting any Scriptures, am I counting the duplicates correctly among the four gospels, how big are "all" groups? That last one is the hardest, but I note there were no healings mentioned in the sermon on the mount or in the feeding of the multitudes. Apparently, the sick people did not come to the revival meetings Jesus was holding? Also I note that when many were healed, many times they had to bring them to Him, implying an improptu healing service. Just how did that work? How did their logistics of gathering affect how many came for healing?

I'm just trying to see it in my head.

 

[piper27]

Let me clarify the OP again. How many miracles does the Bible say Jesus worked in the years of His public ministry? You cannot count the miracles God the Father worked from creation until Jesus began His ministry after being baptized by John (except wine to water), you cannot count the miracles worked by Jesus after His ascension, when He is at the right hand of the Father, and you can only count what is stated or implied in the Bible, which I think means just the four Gospels. I do not think any are mentioned anywhere else like in Acts or the Epistles, but I could be wrong.

It's not a trick question. It is strictly a Bible study project to compile the list, and then make a count. I need help sorting out certain Gospel passages that are vague as to numbers of people healed, etc..

I think I missed this clarifying statement. I will dig in and get back to you. Its a very literal question.

 

[piper27]

1. turning water into wine John 2:1
2. many healings luke 1:32
3. Cleansing a Leper Matt 8:1
4. Healing roman centurians slave Matt 8:5
5. Healing Peter's mother in law Matt 8:14
6. Calming the storm Matt 8:23
7:driving out deamons near the tombs Matt 8:28
8. Healing a paralytic Matt 9:1
9. Healing the woman with the issue of blood Matt 9 20
10. Raising Jairus' daughter from dead matt 9 23
11. Healing two blind men Matt 9 27
12. Healing a demon posessed mute man matt 12 10
13. Healing a man with a paralyzed hand matt 12 22
14. feeding the 5000 matt 14 15
15. Walking on water matt 14 22
16. Healing the gentile mother's daughter matt 15 21
17. feeding 4000 matt 15 32
18. healing the epileptic boy matt 17 14
19. cursing the fig tree matt 21 18
20. healing demon poss man in the synagogue mark 1 23
21. healing the deaf mute mark 7:31
22. healing the blind man at Bethesda Mark 8:22
23. healing the blind at Jericho mark 10:46
24. a miraculous catch of fish luke 5:4
25. A widow's son raised to life Luke 7:11
26. Healing a disabled woman Luke 13:11
27. Healing a man with edema Luke 14:1
28. healing 10 lepers Luke 17:1
29. Healing Malchus's ear luke 22:50
30. Healing an officials son John 4:46
31. Healing the lame man at the Bethesda pool Lu 5:1
32. Healing a man born blind John 9:1
33. Raising Lazerus from the dead Luke 11:38
34. A second miraculous catch of fish Luke 21:1

 

[Angela53510]

I know that Old Testament Hebrew does not have a word that goes beyond 10,000. So perhaps John was talking about a number bigger than 10,000? After all, these were Jews, and they knew Greek, but their heart language was Aramaic, or perhaps Hebrew from the synagogue.

 

[Earlmayknowornot]

I agree, Piper, the miracles worked in the world today must come through us.

OP: Here's what I mean: Jesus turned water into wine. Count, 1 miracle.
The next I see confuses me. Matt. 4:23-25 "and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease". Do I count anything here, or will the actual miracles be tabulated later. I think they will be tabulated later. Count 0, total, 1.
Matt. 8:3 healed a leper. Count 1, total 2.
Matt. 8:13 centurion's servant. Total 3.
Matt. 8:15 Peter's mother in law. Total 4. I think these last three are the beginning of the list in Matt. 4. Does anyone else agree or disagree?
Matt. 8:16 "many". I see this as maybe 20. I'll start a new column. Does anyone agree or disagree? I'm looking at the size of the town, and the fact that it was evening.
Matt. 8:26 stopped the storm, total 5 plus the other column.
Matt. 8:28 two deliverances, total 7.
This is what I mean. Now, if I just look at the last chapter, I see about a week must have elapsed, just becasue of how far apart towns are.

This is what I am trying to do, is to get at least a ballpark estimate of what is reported.

Of course, the big job comes when we start comparing the other gospels. But I get somewhere around 3 dozen specifically mentioned miracles (but that's just one a month), and several mentions of "healed all" or some such verbiage. I have several questions: Am I misinterpreting any Scriptures, am I counting the duplicates correctly among the four gospels, how big are "all" groups? That last one is the hardest, but I note there were no healings mentioned in the sermon on the mount or in the feeding of the multitudes. Apparently, the sick people did not come to the revival meetings Jesus was holding? Also I note that when many were healed, many times they had to bring them to Him, implying an improptu healing service. Just how did that work? How did their logistics of gathering affect how many came for healing?

I'm just trying to see it in my head.

Think in terms of thousands and in our time today probably millions as performed through His servants and by the means of the cross. Just throwing out there.

 

[crossnote]

1. turning water into wine John 2:1
2. many healings luke 1:32
3. Cleansing a Leper Matt 8:1
4. Healing roman centurians slave Matt 8:5
5. Healing Peter's mother in law Matt 8:14
6. Calming the storm Matt 8:23
7:driving out deamons near the tombs Matt 8:28
8. Healing a paralytic Matt 9:1
9. Healing the woman with the issue of blood Matt 9 20
10. Raising Jairus' daughter from dead matt 9 23
11. Healing two blind men Matt 9 27
12. Healing a demon posessed mute man matt 12 10
13. Healing a man with a paralyzed hand matt 12 22
14. feeding the 5000 matt 14 15
15. Walking on water matt 14 22
16. Healing the gentile mother's daughter matt 15 21
17. feeding 4000 matt 15 32
18. healing the epileptic boy matt 17 14
19. cursing the fig tree matt 21 18
20. healing demon poss man in the synagogue mark 1 23
21. healing the deaf mute mark 7:31
22. healing the blind man at Bethesda Mark 8:22
23. healing the blind at Jericho mark 10:46
24. a miraculous catch of fish luke 5:4
25. A widow's son raised to life Luke 7:11
26. Healing a disabled woman Luke 13:11
27. Healing a man with edema Luke 14:1
28. healing 10 lepers Luke 17:1
29. Healing Malchus's ear luke 22:50
30. Healing an officials son John 4:46
31. Healing the lame man at the Bethesda pool Lu 5:1
32. Healing a man born blind John 9:1
33. Raising Lazerus from the dead Luke 11:38
34. A second miraculous catch of fish Luke 21:1

don't forget the miracle at His conception (Incarnation)

 

[kenisyes]

1. turning water into wine John 2:1
2. many healings luke 1:32
3. Cleansing a Leper Matt 8:1
4. Healing roman centurians slave Matt 8:5
5. Healing Peter's mother in law Matt 8:14
6. Calming the storm Matt 8:23
7:driving out deamons near the tombs Matt 8:28
8. Healing a paralytic Matt 9:1
9. Healing the woman with the issue of blood Matt 9 20
10. Raising Jairus' daughter from dead matt 9 23
11. Healing two blind men Matt 9 27
12. Healing a demon posessed mute man matt 12 10
13. Healing a man with a paralyzed hand matt 12 22
14. feeding the 5000 matt 14 15
15. Walking on water matt 14 22
16. Healing the gentile mother's daughter matt 15 21
17. feeding 4000 matt 15 32
18. healing the epileptic boy matt 17 14
19. cursing the fig tree matt 21 18
20. healing demon poss man in the synagogue mark 1 23
21. healing the deaf mute mark 7:31
22. healing the blind man at Bethesda Mark 8:22
23. healing the blind at Jericho mark 10:46
24. a miraculous catch of fish luke 5:4
25. A widow's son raised to life Luke 7:11
26. Healing a disabled woman Luke 13:11
27. Healing a man with edema Luke 14:1
28. healing 10 lepers Luke 17:1
29. Healing Malchus's ear luke 22:50
30. Healing an officials son John 4:46
31. Healing the lame man at the Bethesda pool Lu 5:1
32. Healing a man born blind John 9:1
33. Raising Lazerus from the dead Luke 11:38
34. A second miraculous catch of fish Luke 21:1

Thank you so much Piper. I was going to do such a post this morning, but you have saved me a lot of work. I listed two other many's in Matthew last night. In your 34 lines, plus those two, I make it 3 "many"s, 4 deliverances (one was of two people), 3 resurrections, 29 healings (counting the 10 lepers), 2 feedings, 2 catches of fish, 4 others: water to wine, storm, walking on water, cursing the fig tree. 44 named miracles, 3 uses of "many" or "all".

This leaves a few questions:
Can anyone add to the list?
Does anyone disagree that these were all miracles (I have heard the catch of fish questioned as perhaps an observer from shore can see from a better angle)?
The big question: how many are in the "many"?
And a new one I did not raise previously, "how does this list relate to the lists of Elijah and Elsha, who actually worked some other types of miracles as well, and before the work of salvation had been completed?
And we might also mention cases where non-Christians had worked miracles, like the magicians in Pharaoh's palace, and the Jewish exorcists (Jesus said "if I cast out demons by Beezelbub, by whom do your people cast them out").

 

[kenisyes]

I know that Old Testament Hebrew does not have a word that goes beyond 10,000. So perhaps John was talking about a number bigger than 10,000? After all, these were Jews, and they knew Greek, but their heart language was Aramaic, or perhaps Hebrew from the synagogue.

You are right, Angela. Being Hebrew, and not formally educated past probably 7th grade, John was probably just thinking bigger than 10,000. We see the same thing in primitive tribes to this day, who cannot think past 6, and call everything a bunch.