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Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels

Explore the theological significance of miracles in the Synoptic Gospels, examining their role in portraying Jesus' identity, purpose, teaching, and conflict, as depicted in Mark and Matthew.

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Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels

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  1. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels There are several ways to address the question of Jesus’ Miracles • To what extent do the miracles reflect “what actually happened?” (Historical question) • What do the Gospel writers report about Jesus’ miracles? (Literary question) • What they understood to be the implications of the miracles for their portrait of Jesus • The place/location of the miracle in their message of Jesus • What they understood the miracles to mean for their readers (then and now)

  2. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels “Mighty Deeds” in the Gospel of Mark • Twenty Miracle stories plus summaries (e.g., 1:32-34) • They comprise nearly 1/3 of the Gospel and almost ½ of the first ten chapters. More than any other gospel. • 17 of the 20 miracles occur before Peter’s confession (8:27ff) • The ones after are • Healing of boy (9:14-29) • Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52) • Cursing of Fig Tree (11:12-25)

  3. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels What Does Mark Say about Jesus’ Miracles • Who is Jesus? Question of Identity • Directly linked to first Miracle in Mark; exorcism in Synagogue (1:21-28) • Unclean spirit says “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-- the Holy One of God!” • Observers say “What is this? A new teaching-- and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” • Closely linking identity – miracle – teaching

  4. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels What Does Mark Say about Jesus’ Miracles • Miracles and Teaching – Question of Purpose • Jesus desiring to teach (1:14-15; 1:35-39) • Many came to Him as healer • Jesus can not remain hidden – Question of Silence • 3 times Jesus commands demon to silence (1:25, 34; 3:12) • Jesus’ identity is incomplete apart from His passion and death • 2 times Jesus commands one healed to silence (1:43-44; 5:20); these are conditional commands, which go unheeded; leading to a heightened popularity of Jesus as healer. 4. Miracles and Conflict

  5. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels What Does Mark Say about Jesus’ Miracles • Miracles as Parables • Miracles are not self explanatory. Just like parables (Mark 4) they demand an explanation • The often serve more as “riddles” to Jesus’ identity (Mark 4:35-41); “Who is this man?”

  6. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels What Does Mark Say about Jesus’ Miracles • Miracles and Faith • Often people come to Jesus by faith. That is what initiates the miracle • Other times, “friends” (Mark 2:1ff) bring another to Jesus. It is their (plural) which creates the forum for faith. • Jesus’ own compassion for the situation seems to be the key factor. • Finally, Jesus is sometimes limited by what he can do because of an overall lack of faith. (Mark 6:1ff).

  7. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels “Mighty Deeds” in the Gospel of Matthew • Many of Mark’s Miracles are in Matthew, plus • healing of the Officials son (8:5-13) • Finding coin in mouth of fish (17:24-27) • However, most are abridgments of Mark’s originals • Matthew’s Structure reveals his theological trajectory. • Matthew does not mention miracles until a summary statement in 4:23-25, and there is no specific miracle reported until the cleansing of the leper in 8:1-4 • Instead, the Sermon on the Mount dominants the early part of Matthew.

  8. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew • Note the dominant position of Sermon on Mount in Chapters 5-7 • Note the (later than Mark) introduction of Miracles in Chapters 8-9. • Mark’s paradigmatic first miracle, exorcism in the synagogue (Mark 1: 21-28) is absent from Matthew. • Matthew does not introduce an exorcism until 8:28-34. • Thus, Matt presents Jesus as a “Moses-like” prophet-teacher who heals, rather than Mark’s “miracle-worker” who mysteriously teaches. • Exorcism is radically down-played throughout; contra Mark and as we will see, Luke.

  9. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew • Sermon on Mount and the next two “Miracle” chapters are placed in parallel. • They are held together with two summaries in Matt 4:23-25 and 9:35-36 • This gives the impression that the Sermon on Mt and the Miracle chapters (8-9) could form a “literary diptych” or a double panel of Jesus’ ministry; His teaching and His deeds • Not only are the miracles linked back to the Sermon on Mt but they also project forward to the commissioning of the disciples in 10:1ff, esp. with the wording, “He gave them the authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.” (Same wording as the summaries in 4:23 and 9:35)

  10. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew • Sermon on Mount and the next two “Miracle” chapters are placed in parallel. (Continued) • The words, “after Jesus finished” occurs at the close of the Sermon on the Mt (7:28) and just following the commissioning of the 12 (11:1). This binds the miracles of Jesus with his teaching; serving as a model for ministry. • Thus, Matt presents Jesus as a “Moses-like” prophet-teacher who heals, rather than Mark’s “miracle-worker” who mysteriously teaches.

  11. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew • Sermon on Mount and the next two “Miracle” chapters are placed in parallel. (Continued) • For Matthew, preaching and teaching seem to be the main interest; even more important that miracles. • The first statement of Jesus’ ministry, “From that point Jesus began to proclaim” (4:17) does not mention healing. • The summary in 11:1 only mentions teaching (dida,skw) • The closing “Great Commission” (28:18-20) mentions only teaching (dida,skontej auvtou.j) .

  12. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew 2. Structure of the Miracle Chapters (8 & 9) • Remember that Matthew is often said to be sub-divided according to the “Five books” (see transitional statements 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) each ending with the words, “And it came about that when Jesus had finished all these words…” • Two of these major breaks (7:28 & 11:1) tie our “Miracle chapters” and the mission of the 12 into the second of the proposed “five books.”

  13. Preparation for Jesus Messiah, Son of God Proclamation of Jesus Messiah, Son of God, to Israel Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Messiah, Son of God 1:1 4:16 4:17 16:20 16:21 28:20 (ADULT) Announcement of Kingdom through Teaching, Preaching, and Healing: (INFANT) Dual Response to the Announcement Movement Towards Death and Resurrection (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19) C A L L - D i s c i p l e s Events of Death and Resurrection PRELIMINARY EVENTS ORIGINS I n f a n c y G e n e a l o g y Trials and Crucifixion (26:1-27:54) Resurrection & Com- mission -ing (27:55- 28:20) Accept- ance by Disciples Preaching - John (3:1-12) Events of Jesus’ Passion Anticipated in Confrontations at Jerusalem (21:1-25:46) Events of Jesus’ Passion Anticipated in Journey to Jerusalem (16:21 - 20:34) (4:23; 9:35; 11:1) Baptism (3:13-17) Rejection by Israel as Whole Temptation (4:1-11) (1:1-17) (1:18-2:23) Positioning (4:12-16) 28:20 1:1 2:23 3:1 4:16 4:23 11:1 11:1 16:20 16:21 (22) 25:46 26:1 4:18 - 22 From that time Jesus Began.... (4:17) From that time Jesus Began.... (16:21) 3 Parable Discourse ch.13 Matthew Five Major Speeches (“Discourses”), Concluding with “When Jesus Finished These Sayings....” or the like (7:28; 11:1/ 16:53; 19:1; 26:1) 1 5 Eschatological Discourse ch.24-25 Sermon On Mount ch. 5-7 4 Community Discourse ch.18 2 Missionary Discourse ch.10

  14. Matthew 4:17-11:1 Announcement of the Kingdom Call of first disciples (2 parallel stories: Peter/Andrew & James/John) General heading:From that time Jesus began to preach Announcement Made by Jesus Announcement made by disciples as representatives of Jesus Teaching, Preaching, Healing (4: 23) Teaching, Preaching, Healing (9: 35) Appointing Apostles, Sending out 2-by-2; Missionary Discourse Proclamation by Teaching (5-7) Proclamation by Healing (8 - 9) 4:23 9:35 11:1 4:17 4:18 - 22 Inclusio by summary

  15. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels There are 5 major discourses (Books?) in the Gospel of Matthew. Each one ending with the phrase, “When Jesus finished these sayings. . . .” Discourse 1 (5:1-7:29) 7:28 Discourse 2 (10:1-42) 11:1 Discourse 3 (13:1-52) 13:53 Discourse 4 (18:1-35) 19:1 Discourse 5 (24:1-25:46) 26:1

  16. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew 2. Structure of the Miracle Chapters (8 & 9) • Note transition in first miracle, Jesus comes down from mountain; in Moses-like fashion. • First Miracle: Cleansing of Leper – Social Outcast (see Lev 13-14) • In contrast to Moses (Num 12:10-15) and Elijah (2 Kings 5:1-14) Jesus touches the leper. • Demonstrates that Jesus fulfills the law in a whole new manner; carrying on the theme established in Sermon on Mount (5:17). • Listen to conversation: • Leper, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” • Jesus, “I will. Be clean.” • NB, later Jesus includes the healing of lepers among the instructions to the disciples as they go out 2-by-2.

  17. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Structure and Story of Matthew 2. Structure of the Miracle Chapters (8 & 9) • Note number of miracles nine stories (reporting 10 miracles). Same number as in Moses performed in Egypt (Ex 7-12). • In these stories, it is outcasts (even a gentile) who are healed.

  18. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Matthew • Being placed first in the canon, Matthew’s theology often has dominated the church. • This may mean that “miracles in the Western tradition” has been subsumed beneath the teaching ministry of Jesus. • Miracles in Matthew “word and deed” oriented which balances the approach. Contrasted with first half of Mark in which Jesus is seen as the über-miracle-worker.

  19. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Matthew • Abridged miracle stories. • Title “Son of David” plays dominate role in the miracle stories. Thus, for Matthew this title reveals Jesus’ true status as the “Messiah.” • The New Moses. • Ambiguity of Miracles. • The crowds often respond with acclaim to Jesus’ miracles yet the religious authorities respond negatively. Thus, miracles only confirm the distance between Jesus and witnesses. • Miracles are not self-evident. They must be explained. Miracles are parabolic in nature. After each of the miracles cycles in chap 8&9; Jesus teaches (8:18-22; 9:9-17, 9:36-38)

  20. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Matthew • Miracles and faith • Miracle 1: Leper, comes asking in faith • Miracle 2: Centurion Servant; servant too sick to come, master believes for the servant. • Miracle 3: Woman with fever; no mention of faith. Jesus goes to her. • Outsiders – just a “little faith” is adequate. • Disciples – “little faith” is inadequate if they are to model ministry of Jesus (8:23-27). • Miracles and Exorcism • Legion of Demons. Matthew takes Mark’s 20 verses (5:1-20) and decreases it to 7 (8:28-34). • Matthew also “sanitizes” the passage.

  21. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels “Mighty Deeds” in the Gospel of Luke • 20 Miracles, plus 3 summaries • 6 Miracles unique to Luke • Large catch of fish (5:1-11) • Widow’s son raised to life (7:11-17) • Crippled woman freed (13:10-17) • Man with dropsy healed (14:1-6) • Ten lepers cleansed (17:11-19) • Healing of High Priest servant’s ear (22:51) • NB, to fully explore Luke’s theology of Miracles we must examine both Luke and Acts.

  22. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Introduction of Miracles in the Gospel of Luke • Story of Jesus’ public ministry is told in 4:16-21:38, • 4:14 tells Luke’s readers that “He returned in the power of the Spirit” after returning from His baptism and defeat of Satan in the wilderness. • The introduction of Jesus’ teaching/preaching ministry (4:16-30) is in parallel with his healing ministry (4:31-44). • Might then the introductory statement in 4:14-15 relate to both Jesus’ teaching and healing? • Luke balances Jesus’ teaching and healing (in contrast to Matthew and Mark) • Matthew emphasizes teaching over miracles • Mark points to miracles over teaching

  23. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Introduction of Miracles in the Gospel of Luke • Great Omission • After the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17), Luke departs from following Mark • Mark 6:45-8:26 is missing from Luke’s Gospel; leaving out six miracles. • This should not be taken as dislike of Mark’s miracles. Rather, Luke limits the telling of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. • The closing miracle in the Galilee for Luke is the exorcism (healing?) of the epileptic boy (“rebuked the unclean spirit” and “healed the boy” (9:42). The line between healing and exorcism are blurred in Luke. • At the close of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry (4:16-9:50) the disciples fail to understand several issues about Jesus: • Jesus’ speaking of His betrayal and death (9:43-45) • Their relationship to one another (9:46-48) • Their relationship to others (9:49-50) • Jesus and His disciples then Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:46)

  24. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Luke • The Spirit and Miracles. • The agenda is set early in the Gospel • In Life of Jesus AND People 1:15,17,35,41,47,67,80; 2:25,26; 3:16,22; 4:1(2x), 14,18,33; 10:21; 11:13; 12:10,12; [24:49]. • See esp. Luke 4:18-19 & 11:20 (casting out demons by the finger of God. • It is particularly important in the early chapters and then the language disappears until the end. • The “promise of the Father,” 24:49, provides an important continuity with the continuation of this Holy Spirit language into the Book of Acts. • Luke sees the Spirit of God as the source of Jesus’ miraculous power.

  25. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Luke • Power and Miracles. • Luke uniquely links “spirit” & “power”. See Luke 1:17; 1:35; 4:14; Acts 1:8; 4:7-8; 10:38 • Luke understands this via the LXX and how it unites God and the “Spirit.” (Acts 10:38)

  26. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Luke • Miracles and Exorcism. • Mark begins with exorcism as Jesus’ agenda, but it wanes as the Gospel proceeds. (1:21-28; 5:1-20; 7:24-30; 9:14-29) • In contrast, Luke balances Jesus’ miracles • Jesus beings his ministry “full of the Holy Spirit” not only preaching/teaching and healing (4:18,40) but also casting out demons (4:31-41). • Luke recasts some healing stories into the form of exorcisms (Mark 1:29-34 vs Luke 4:38-41) • Healing and exorcism often crosses lines. Healings are often housed in the language of the enemy being subdued and a prisoner is being set free.

  27. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Luke • Miracles and Exorcism (Continued). • In Luke (and Acts), Satan is not fully defeated • At the end of Jesus’ healing ministry, Satan enters Judas (Luke 22:3) as well as the “sifting of Simon (22:31) • In the post-resurrection account in Acts, Satan fills Ananias’ heart (Acts 5:3) • Paul’s ministry if said to be delivering the Gentiles from the power of Satan (Acts 26:18)

  28. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of Miracles in Luke • Miracles of Jesus (Volume 2 – Acts) • Acts 1:1-2; I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach • Assumption, it will continue in the life of the church. • First real “sign and wonder” in Acts is in the healing of man lame from birth (3:1-10). • Parallel to prophetic word in Luke 7:22

  29. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • What are we to make of the accounts of Jesus’ mighty deeds? • What is Jesus intention(s) in his Mighty acts? • What are Matthew/Mark/Luke’s intentions? • It may be short-sighted to look at the miracles of Jesus and deal with them individually; especially since we are dealing with the Gospels as a whole. • A solid approach will be to connect them into a holistic “revelation” of the Mighty Acts of Jesus. • Another vital question to ask is why, if the miracles were to declare that Jesus=God; or in the least to declare He was the Messiah, why did almost no one recognized Jesus for who He was? Why was He missed?

  30. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • Let’s look at John the Baptist’s question in Matthew 11:1-3 (par. Luke 7:22) After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” • This is a summary of Isaiah 43:8-113; 29:18-21; 61:1. Eschatological signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God.

  31. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • Let’s look at Jesus’ parabolic teaching in Mark 4:1-12 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” • This is Isaiah 6:9-10

  32. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • Jesus explains that his parabolic instruction is similar to Isaiah’s preaching; • Hear to Psalm 115:1-8 • See Psalm 135:15-18 • In Isaiah’s day (see Isaiah 1-5), people are worshipping idols- you become what you worship • “I’ll create you in their image”

  33. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • Recreation of God’s image in us! Not metaphorical but literal! • Israelite view of creation is in fact that all of creation is a temple “Heaven is my throne, Earth is my footstool” (Psalm 2; 110) • In a Palace of a God (Temple) the last thing to be placed in the temple is the image of the God. • On the sixth day, God created man in His Image.

  34. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • New creation language- new exodus language • On return from exile they will throw away their idols and be remade/recreated in God’s image • Also healing of bodies- for bodies matter to God

  35. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • Best pattern is that Jesus’ mighty deeds foretell the inauguration of a new creation, a new exodus • Purpose, the restoration of the image of God in His people

  36. Jesus and His Mighty Deeds A Theology of Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels Summary of His Mighty Deeds • In Most Christian Traditions: Healing = atonement • Yet is impossible to be in ancient Israel and not see that having sin forgiven could not affect our body • life is not just thinking… it’s more! • Descartes – “I think therefore I am.” We have reduced being Christian to “thinking correctly” • Romans 8:19ff • Seems as if Jesus is concerned about fully restoring creation; which makes sense if we take seriously “temple-image of God paradigm” • If man is restored; he/she will have domain and care for creation • Restoring humanity is actually a first step in the restoration of creation

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