Two Types of Miracles

The portrayal of miracles varies widely among the four Gospels, as each author sees Jesus through different eyes. I believe Jesus performed miracles for multiple purposes. And even the word miracle has different meanings in the original Greek.

A Sign of Christ

In John, in every instance of the word miracle or miracles, the Greek word is semeion. It means a sign or token. It is an identifying mark so the reader cannot miss the fact that this is the Christ. There are seven distinct miracles in John, each clearly pointing to Jesus. You can click here for more information on this word origin.

For example, the first miracle of converting water into wine in John chapter 2, identifies Jesus as the Incarnate Son of God. Water symbolizes the spiritual realm. Jesus spoke often about "living water," which could "spring up into everlasting life" (see John 4:10-14). Water is somewhat transparent. You can see through its liquid form. And water vapor is invisible, reminding us of things which can only be seen through spiritual eyes (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). Living water represents the divine nature of God. Eternal life is the kind of life we can receive as we become like God in every way. Thus, water symbolizes divinity.

As Jesus turns water into wine, His mission as the "Word made flesh" is revealed (see John 1:14). Wine represents blood, and blood represents mortality. Thus, the Word, the premortal Jehovah, is made flesh, as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, takes on a mortal, earthly tabernacle of flesh and blood.

 Miracles Demonstrating Power

Mark portrays the miracles of Jesus as a representation of His power. He seems almost preoccupied with the miracles of Jesus, to the point that the teachings are reduced, and in some cases, omitted in order to stay focused on the miraculous works of Jesus. There is no infancy narrative, no Sermon on the Mount, and even similar teachings in Matthew 13 are drastically cutback in Mark 4.

In Mark chapter 1 we read:

"And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:21-22).

But Mark never tells us what Jesus taught, because he has to get on with a series of miracles in the very first chapter, and the first is a man with an unclean spirit, so this becomes a direct confrontation with Satan. In fact, later in the chapter, He casts out other devils with such domination that He "suffered not the devils to speak" (see Mark 1:34). 

In Mark, the Greek word for miracles is dynamis. It means strength, power, or ability. This is the Greek origin for English words like dynamic or dynamite. It's a powerful word. When the woman with the issue of blood touches the hem of the garment of Jesus, He says, "I perceive that virtue is gone out of me" (Luke 8:46). The original Greek word for virtue is dynamis. It is the power of Christ and His Atonement that heals, cleanses, and strengthens us. You can read more about dynamis and see its application in the New Testament by clicking here. 

I think I'll save some of the other symbolic representations of miracles, and how they relate to spiritual healing for another post.