Water Turned to Wine

John 2:1–11 · Read the passage

What happened: At a wedding in Cana of Galilee the wine failed; Jesus directed the servants to fill six waterpots of stone with water and draw some out for the governor of the feast — who tasted water become wine, and the best wine of the feast. Only the servants and the disciples knew.

“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”John 2:9–11 (KJV)

Its significance: The first sign: “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory” (v. 11). The Creator of the grape stands over His own chemistry; the water of Jewish purifying becomes the wine of the feast — the Law’s shadow yielding to the Bridegroom’s joy.

The First Miraculous Catch of Fish

Luke 5:1–11 · Read the passage

What happened: After a night of fruitless fishing, at the Lord’s word — “Launch out into the deep” — Simon let down the net and enclosed so great a multitude of fish that the net broke and both boats began to sink. Peter fell at Jesus’ knees: “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:”Luke 5:5–9 (KJV)

Its significance: The Lord of the sea fills empty nets at His word — and the miracle’s purpose stands at the end: “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (v. 10). It produced not wonder only but conviction of sin and a call to the apostolate.

The Storm Stilled

Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25 · Read the passage

What happened: Crossing Galilee by night, a great storm of wind filled the boat with waves while Jesus slept on a pillow. Woken with “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still” — and there was a great calm.

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”Mark 4:38–41 (KJV)

Its significance: The men asked the right question in terror: “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Only God rules the sea in Scripture (Psalm 107:29). The sleeper in the stern is the Creator at rest in His own storm — and the disciples’ fear rebuked shows the miracle was aimed at their faith, not only the weather.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14 · Read the passage

What happened: The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. Five barley loaves and two small fishes — a lad’s lunch — blessed, broken, and distributed by the disciples, fed five thousand men besides women and children, with twelve baskets of fragments gathered — more than the beginning.

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”John 6:11–14 (KJV)

Its significance: The Creator multiplies matter as easily as He made it. The people read it rightly in part: “This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (v. 14) — the greater Moses feeding Israel in the wilderness — and the next day He turned their full stomachs into the discourse on the Bread of Life: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).

Walking on the Water

Matthew 14:22–33; Mark 6:45–52; John 6:15–21 · Read the passage

What happened: In the fourth watch of the night, the disciples toiling in rowing against a contrary wind, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. Peter, at his own request, walked on the water toward Him — and beginning to sink when he saw the wind, cried “Lord, save me,” and was caught by the hand. In the boat, the men worshipped: “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”Matthew 14:26–33 (KJV)

Its significance: He treads the sea as its Maker (Job 9:8 — God “treadeth upon the waves of the sea”). The whole scene preaches Christ’s intercession: He had gone up the mountain to pray, saw them toiling, and came. Peter’s three-word prayer — “Lord, save me” — remains the shortest and most answered prayer in the Bible.

The Feeding of the Four Thousand

Matthew 15:32–39; Mark 8:1–10 · Read the passage

What happened: In the Decapolis country, a multitude — largely Gentile — had continued with Him three days with nothing to eat. From seven loaves and a few small fishes He fed four thousand, with seven baskets remaining.

“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.”Mark 8:2–6 (KJV)

Its significance: “I have compassion on the multitude” — the miracle begins in His stated motive. That He repeated the feeding for a Gentile crowd declares the Bread of Life is for the world, not Israel only; that the numbers differ from the first feeding shows two separate wonders, not one retold.

The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth

Matthew 17:24–27 · Read the passage

What happened: Collectors of the temple tax challenged Peter on his Master’s payment. Jesus first taught him the freedom of the sons — “the children are free” — then, “lest we should offend them,” directed Peter to cast a hook: the first fish would carry in its mouth the exact coin for them both.

“Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”Matthew 17:27 (KJV)

Its significance: Quiet omniscience and particular providence: the Son of the house is exempt from His Father’s tax, yet pays it to give no offence; and a fish in the sea, a hook, and a coin in a mouth meet at the appointed minute. The God who numbers sparrows arranges small change.

The Fig Tree Withered

Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–14, 20–25 · Read the passage

What happened: Hungry in the morning of the Passion week, Jesus found a fig tree in leaf but without fruit — “for the time of figs was not yet” (the leaves promised fruit not yet due; the tree advertised what it did not have). He spoke to it; the next morning it was withered from the roots.

“And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.”Mark 11:13–14 (KJV)

“And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”Mark 11:21–22 (KJV)

Its significance: The Lord’s one destructive miracle is an acted parable on Israel: leaves of religious profession without the fruit of repentance, searched by the Husbandman and found empty — the same judgment the parable of the Barren Fig Tree had promised after the year of grace. His word to the disciples turns it to faith’s promise: “Have faith in God.”

The Second Miraculous Catch

John 21:1–14 · Read the passage

What happened: After the resurrection, seven disciples fished all night at Tiberias and took nothing. At dawn a figure on the shore — unrecognized — directed them to cast on the right side of the ship: 153 great fishes, and the net unbroken. “It is the Lord,” said John; and Jesus had a fire of coals, fish, and bread waiting.

“Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.”John 21:5–11 (KJV)

Its significance: The risen Christ repeats the first call’s miracle to restore the men who had forsaken Him — grace recommissioning failure. The unbroken net of the final catch contrasts the breaking net of Luke 5: what the glorified Christ gathers, nothing tears.

The Nobleman’s Son Healed

John 4:46–54 · Read the passage

What happened: A nobleman of Capernaum begged Jesus at Cana to come down and heal his dying son. Jesus sent him home with a word instead — “Go thy way; thy son liveth” — and the man believed the word and went. On the road his servants met him: the fever had left at the seventh hour, the very hour of the word.

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.”John 4:50–53 (KJV)

Its significance: The second sign in John: a healing done at a distance by a spoken word — Christ’s power is not local. The miracle’s crown is a household: “and himself believed, and his whole house” (v. 53). He believed twice — first the bare word, then with all his house.

The Centurion’s Servant

Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10 · Read the passage

What happened: A Roman centurion of Capernaum — a friend of Israel who had built the synagogue — pleaded for his servant lying sick of the palsy. When Jesus offered to come, the soldier refused the honour: “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” — reasoning from his own chain of command to Christ’s. The servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”Matthew 8:8–13 (KJV)

Its significance: Jesus “marvelled” — the only thing in the Gospels said to make Him marvel besides unbelief (Mark 6:6). A Gentile soldier understood Christ’s authority better than Israel: authority that works by the word at any distance. It opens the door of the kingdom to the east and the west and warns the children of the kingdom outside it.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law

Matthew 8:14–15; Mark 1:29–31; Luke 4:38–39 · Read the passage

What happened: In Peter’s house at Capernaum his wife’s mother lay sick of a great fever. Jesus took her by the hand, rebuked the fever, and lifted her up — and she arose immediately and ministered unto them: no convalescence.

“But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.”Mark 1:30–31 (KJV)

Its significance: The completeness of Christ’s cures is the signature: fever leaves like a servant dismissed, and strength returns entire in the instant. He touches the sick — the touch of the clean upon the unclean without defilement, because the holiness flows the other way.

The Leper Cleansed

Matthew 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16 · Read the passage

What happened: A man full of leprosy — ceremonially dead, living exiled from worship and from touch — fell before Jesus: “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand and touched him: “I will; be thou clean.” The leprosy departed immediately.

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”Mark 1:41–42 (KJV)

Its significance: Two wonders in one act: the cleansing of an incurable, defiling disease by a word — and the touch. No one touched lepers; Jesus did, before He healed, while the man was still a leper. It is the gospel in gesture: Christ is not made unclean by our defilement; we are made clean by His.

The Paralytic Let Down Through the Roof

Matthew 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26 · Read the passage

What happened: At Capernaum, four men could not reach Jesus for the crowd, so they uncovered the roof and let down the bed of their friend sick of the palsy. Jesus, seeing their faith, first forgave the man his sins — drawing the scribes’ charge of blasphemy — then proved the invisible pardon by the visible cure: “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”Mark 2:5 (KJV)

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.”Mark 2:10–12 (KJV)

Its significance: Christ’s answer to the blasphemy charge is the doctrine of His person: the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins — and the paralytic walking carries the proof of the pardon. Sin is the deeper paralysis; He heals both, and lets the seen certify the unseen.

The Man with the Withered Hand

Matthew 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11 · Read the passage

What happened: In the synagogue on the Sabbath, with watchers waiting to accuse Him, Jesus set the man with the withered hand in the midst and asked the question His enemies would not answer: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?” At “Stretch forth thine hand,” the hand was restored whole as the other — and the consultation to destroy Him began.

“And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”Mark 3:4–5 (KJV)

Its significance: He was “grieved for the hardness of their hearts” — anger and grief in one look. The miracle is a Sabbath sermon: mercy is never unlawful, and a religion that forbids doing good has indicted itself. Restoration was commanded before it was possible — the hand stretched by faith in the word.

The Impotent Man at Bethesda

John 5:1–15 · Read the passage

What happened: At the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem lay a man who had an infirmity thirty-eight years, waiting for the troubling of the water and always too slow. Jesus, knowing he had been now a long time in that case, asked, “Wilt thou be made whole?” and commanded: “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” — done on the Sabbath, which brought the controversy of John 5.

“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”John 5:6–9 (KJV)

Its significance: Grace seeks the hopeless case that has outwaited every other help, and the question “Wilt thou be made whole?” respects the man’s will while exposing his excuses. The sequel carries the warning: “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (v. 14).

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48 · Read the passage

What happened: Twelve years of haemorrhage, all her living spent on physicians, only worse — ceremonially unclean and untouchable. She came behind Him in the press and touched the hem of His garment: “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” Immediately her fountain dried up. Jesus, knowing virtue had gone out of Him, called her forth trembling — and named her Daughter: “thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

“For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”Mark 5:28–34 (KJV)

Its significance: A touch of faith, even stolen from behind, draws power from Christ — and He will not let her steal away with a cure but no communion: He stops the whole procession (on its way to a dying child) to give her His face and His word. Faith in Him is never anonymous to Him.

Two Blind Men Healed

Matthew 9:27–31 · Read the passage

What happened: Two blind men followed Jesus crying, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on us,” and persisted into the house. Asked, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” they answered, “Yea, Lord.” He touched their eyes: “According to your faith be it unto you” — and their eyes were opened.

“And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.”Matthew 9:28–30 (KJV)

Its significance: The blind men saw by confession what their eyes could not: “Son of David” is the Messiah’s title, and mercy His trade. “According to your faith” measures many a blessing still — asking is the vessel grace fills.

The Blind Man of Bethsaida

Mark 8:22–26 · Read the passage

What happened: At Bethsaida a blind man was brought to Him. Jesus took him by the hand out of the town, spat on his eyes, laid hands on him, and asked if he saw ought. At first he saw men as trees, walking; at the second touch he saw every man clearly.

“And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”Mark 8:24–25 (KJV)

Its significance: The Lord’s one gradual cure, and it preaches: spiritual sight often comes in stages, and the half-seeing man was not dismissed but touched again. Some of us are Mark 8:24 Christians — men as trees — and the cure is to stay in His hands for the second touch.

The Man Born Blind

John 9:1–41 · Read the passage

What happened: A man blind from birth — “who did sin, this man, or his parents?” “Neither… but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” Jesus anointed his eyes with clay and sent him to wash in Siloam: he came seeing. The Pharisees examined, threatened, and cast him out; Jesus found him again and revealed Himself: “Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”

“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”John 9:25 (KJV)

“And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”John 9:38 (KJV)

Its significance: John 9 is the Light of the World acted out (John 8:12): sight given to the man born blind, and blindness confessed in the men who claimed to see. The healed man’s logic is the church’s unanswerable testimony: “one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Experience with Christ out-argues the schools.

Blind Bartimaeus

Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43 · Read the passage

What happened: By the Jericho road sat blind Bartimaeus, begging. Hearing that Jesus of Nazareth passed, he cried the louder for the crowd’s rebukes — “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” — casting away his garment, he came; Jesus asked, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Immediately he received it, and followed Jesus in the way.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”Mark 10:51–52 (KJV)

Its significance: Persistent prayer personified: rebuked by the crowd, he cried the more a great deal. The particular question “What wilt thou?” teaches definite asking; the cast-off garment, the renunciation of the beggar’s old identity; and sight’s first use was discipleship — he followed in the way, up to Jerusalem and the cross.

The Deaf and Dumb Man

Mark 7:31–37 · Read the passage

What happened: In Decapolis they brought a man deaf and with an impediment of speech. Jesus took him aside from the multitude, put His fingers into his ears, spat and touched his tongue, looked up to heaven and sighed, and said, “Ephphatha” — Be opened. Immediately his ears were opened and his tongue loosed.

“And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”Mark 7:34–37 (KJV)

Its significance: Christ adapts His method to the man: what words could not reach, signs could — fingers, touch, the heavenward look as visible prayer. The sigh is compassion’s groan over what sin has done to God’s creature. “He hath done all things well” is the crowd’s summary of the whole ministry.

The Woman Bent Together

Luke 13:10–17 · Read the passage

What happened: In a synagogue on the Sabbath, a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, bowed together and wholly unable to lift herself up. Jesus called her to Him: “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity” — laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. The ruler’s indignation over Sabbath healing drew the exposure: each of them loosed his ox on the Sabbath; “ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed?”

“And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”Luke 13:12–16 (KJV)

Its significance: Compassion interrupts liturgy. Note Satan’s part in sickness here stated by Christ Himself — and the loosing word’s authority over it. Eighteen years bent toward the earth, and her first straight sight was the face of her Deliverer.

The Man with the Dropsy

Luke 14:1–6 · Read the passage

What happened: Dining at a chief Pharisee’s house on the Sabbath, watched by lawyers and Pharisees, Jesus first put the question to them — “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?” — and holding His peace was answered with silence. He took the man with the dropsy, healed him, and let him go; then reasoned from their own practice with a fallen ass or ox.

“And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;”Luke 14:3–4 (KJV)

Its significance: The silence of His examiners is the verdict: their own conduct answered the question they dared not. Christ heals at tables as readily as in synagogues — no venue is outside His office of mercy.

The Ten Lepers

Luke 17:11–19 · Read the passage

What happened: On the way to Jerusalem, ten lepers stood afar off and cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” At His word — “Go shew yourselves unto the priests” — they went, and as they went, they were cleansed. One turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and fell at His feet giving thanks: a Samaritan. “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?… Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”Luke 17:15–19 (KJV)

Its significance: Obedience on the way obtains what waiting often misses — cleansed as they went. But the parable-like sting is gratitude: nine received cleansing; one received wholeness. Ten men got the miracle; one got the fellowship. Ingratitude after answered prayer is the commonest leprosy of the healed.

Malchus’ Ear Restored

Luke 22:49–51 · Read the passage

What happened: In Gethsemane, at the arrest, one of the disciples — Peter, John tells us — drew a sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebuked the blow — “Suffer ye thus far” — touched the ear, and healed him: the last healing of His ministry, wrought on an enemy in the act of arresting Him.

“And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.”Luke 22:51 (KJV)

Its significance: He healed the man come to bind Him. The kingdom advances not by the sword drawn for Christ but by the hand laid on His enemies — a permanent rebuke to carnal zeal, and the gospel’s manner in miniature: mercy to captors at the moment of capture.

The Demoniac in the Capernaum Synagogue

Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:31–37 · Read the passage

What happened: In the synagogue on the Sabbath, a man with an unclean spirit cried out against Jesus: “I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked the spirit — “Hold thy peace, and come out of him” — and with a tear and a cry it obeyed, leaving the man unharmed.

“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”Mark 1:25–27 (KJV)

Its significance: His first recorded deliverance is in God’s house: the devil keeps religious hours. The amazement fixed on the authority — “with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Hell confessed His identity before men did; Christ refused the confession and expelled the confessor.

The Gadarene Demoniacs

Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39 · Read the passage

What happened: Across the sea in Gadara, a man (Matthew names two) with an unclean spirit — Legion, for many devils were in him — lived naked among the tombs, bound with chains he broke, crying and cutting himself night and day. He ran and worshipped Jesus from afar. At the word of command the legion came out into a herd of swine, which ran violently into the sea. The man was found sitting, clothed, and in his right mind — and begged to follow Jesus; he was sent home instead: “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.”

“For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.”Mark 5:8–9 (KJV)

“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”Mark 5:19 (KJV)

Its significance: One soul weighed against two thousand swine: the town begged the Deliverer to depart, and the delivered man became Decapolis’ first evangelist. Christ’s authority meets hell’s maximum — a legion — and it is not a contest. Madness, chains, and tombs are Satan’s finished work; sitting, clothed, sane, and witnessing is Christ’s.

The Syrophoenician Woman’s Daughter

Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30 · Read the passage

What happened: In the borders of Tyre and Sidon, a Greek woman — a Syrophoenician — begged for her daughter grievously vexed with a devil. Tested first by silence, then by the children-and-dogs saying, she answered in kind: “Yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” For this saying the devil went out of her daughter — healed at a distance, found whole at home.

“And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”Mark 7:29–30 (KJV)

Its significance: “O woman, great is thy faith” (Matthew 15:28) — praise He gave almost no one else. Faith that argues humbly with God and will not be refused crosses the boundary of Israel; the crumbs from the children’s table are a feast to those who know their place and His bounty.

The Mute Demoniac

Matthew 9:32–34 · Read the passage

What happened: They brought to Jesus a dumb man possessed with a devil. The devil cast out, the dumb spake — and the multitudes marvelled, “It was never so seen in Israel,” while the Pharisees settled on their explanation: “He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”

“And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.”Matthew 9:33 (KJV)

Its significance: The delivered tongue is the sign: Satan binds men’s speech about God; Christ looses it. The Pharisees’ answer — attributing the Spirit’s work to Satan — sets the stage for the warning about blasphemy against the Holy Ghost in Matthew 12.

The Blind and Mute Demoniac

Matthew 12:22–37 · Read the passage

What happened: One possessed, blind and dumb, was brought; Jesus healed him, so that he both spake and saw. The Pharisees repeated their charge — Beelzebub — and received the great refutation: a kingdom divided cannot stand; “if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you”; and the sin against the Holy Ghost defined.

“But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”Matthew 12:28 (KJV)

Its significance: Deliverance is kingdom-come evidence: every devil expelled is the Stronger Man binding the strong man and spoiling his goods (Matthew 12:29). The miracle also occasions Scripture’s most solemn warning — to call the Spirit’s manifest work Satanic is the unforgivable line — because it shows how far religious pride can see and still not see.

The Lunatic Son at the Mountain’s Foot

Matthew 17:14–21; Mark 9:14–29; Luke 9:37–43 · Read the passage

What happened: Coming down from the Transfiguration, Jesus found the nine disciples defeated: a father’s son, possessed from childhood by a deaf and dumb spirit that tore him, foamed, and cast him into fire and water, could not be delivered by them. “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,” cried the father. Jesus rebuked the spirit — it came out with a last tear as if the boy were dead — and took him by the hand. To the disciples’ “Why could not we?” He answered: unbelief — “this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”Mark 9:23–29 (KJV)

Its significance: The contrast is the sermon: glory on the mountain, failure in the valley — and Christ sufficient for both. Honest half-faith (“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief”) is honored where professional religion failed. Some victories wait on a praying church, not a louder one.

Mary Magdalene Delivered

Luke 8:1–3; Mark 16:9 · Read the passage

What happened: Among the women who followed Jesus and ministered to Him of their substance, Scripture introduces Mary of Magdala with her history attached: “Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.” Mark’s Gospel, closing the resurrection account, repeats it: He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.

“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”Luke 8:2 (KJV)

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”Mark 16:9 (KJV)

Its significance: The completeness of Christ’s deliverance: seven devils out, and the delivered woman becomes the most faithful follower of all — at the cross when the apostles fled, at the tomb before any of them, and the first preacher of the resurrection, sent by Christ Himself to tell the brethren. Her past is in the record to magnify the Deliverer, never to shame the delivered.

Jairus’ Daughter Raised

Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56 · Read the passage

What happened: Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, fell at Jesus’ feet for his little daughter at the point of death. On the way — delayed by the woman with the issue of blood — came the word: “Thy daughter is dead.” Jesus answered the father’s breaking heart: “Be not afraid, only believe.” At the house, amid the professional mourners’ scornful laughter, He took the twelve-year-old by the hand: “Talitha cumi — Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” She arose immediately and walked; and He commanded that something be given her to eat.

“And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.”Mark 5:41–42 (KJV)

Its significance: Death in Christ’s vocabulary is sleep (v. 39) — a state from which His voice wakes. The interruption teaches too: the woman’s faith-delay became, for Jairus, the difference between a healing and a resurrection — God’s delays enlarge His gifts. “Only believe” is the whole protocol for impossible cases.

The Widow of Nain’s Son Raised

Luke 7:11–17 · Read the passage

What happened: At the gate of Nain, Jesus met a funeral: a widow’s only son being carried out, and much people with her. No one asked Him anything. “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.” He touched the bier — the bearers stood still — and said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” The dead sat up and began to speak, and He delivered him to his mother.

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”Luke 7:13–15 (KJV)

Its significance: The only raising where Christ acts wholly unasked: compassion initiates. He interrupts funerals uninvited — grace before prayer. The crowd’s verdict is exact: “God hath visited his people” (v. 16). And every funeral sermon since lives in its pattern: He still says “Weep not” only because He can also say “Arise.”

Lazarus Raised

John 11:1–46 · Read the passage

What happened: At Bethany, Lazarus — the friend Jesus loved — fell sick; Jesus tarried two days until he was dead, telling the disciples plainly, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth… Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe.” At the tomb, after Martha’s confession drew the great “I am the resurrection, and the life,” and after Jesus wept, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” Four days dead, he came forth bound hand and foot with graveclothes: “Loose him, and let him go.”

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”John 11:25–26 (KJV)

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”John 11:43–44 (KJV)

Its significance: The seventh and greatest sign in John’s Gospel — resurrection and life not as doctrine only but as a Person standing at a tomb. It forced the Sanhedrin’s final decision to kill Him (John 11:47 – 53): the raising of Lazarus is the direct cause of the cross — Christ gave His friend life at the price of His own. “Jesus wept” (v. 35) stands guard over it all: the Resurrection Himself is not ashamed of tears at a grave He is about to empty.