Milagres de Jesus
Os Evangelhos registram dezenas de milagres realizados por Jesus — curas, ressurreições, domínio sobre a natureza e libertações. Cada milagre revelava sua divindade e compaixão.
Curas de cegos e surdos
Jesus devolveu a visão aos cegos e a audição aos surdos, manifestando seu poder sobre toda enfermidade e deficiência.
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, screaming loudly, "Have mercy and compassion on us, Son of David (Messiah)!" When He went into the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith [your trust and confidence in My power and My ability to heal] it will be done to you."And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: "See that no one knows this!"But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout that whole district.
Sight for the Blind
As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43] And two blind men were sitting by the road, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David (Messiah)!" The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David (Messiah) have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called them, and asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?"They answered Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him [as His disciples].
Then they came to Bethsaida; and some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He led him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?"And he looked up and said, "I see people, but [they look] like trees, walking around." Then again Jesus laid His hands on his eyes; and the man stared intently and [his sight] was [completely] restored, and he began to see everything clearly. And He sent him to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."
Soon after this Jesus left the region of Tyre, and passed through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of Decapolis [the ten Hellenistic cities]. They brought to Him a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him. Jesus, taking him aside by himself, away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, He touched the man’s tongue [with the saliva]; and looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to the man, "Ephphatha," which [in Aramaic] means, "Be opened and released!"And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he began speaking plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed, saying, "He has done everything well! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!"
Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road [as was his custom]. [Matt 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43] When Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, "Jesus, Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!" Many sternly rebuked him, telling him to keep still and be quiet; but he kept on shouting out all the more, "Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, telling him, "Take courage, get up! He is calling for you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni (my Master), let me regain my sight." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road. [Is 42:6, 7]
Bartimaeus Receives Sight
As He was approaching Jericho [on His way to Jerusalem], it happened that a blind man was sitting beside the road begging. [Matt 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52] Now when he heard a crowd going by, he began to ask what this was [about]. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." So he shouted out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!" Those who were leading the way were sternly telling him to keep quiet; but he screamed all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then Jesus stopped and ordered that the blind man be led to Him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me regain my sight!" Jesus said to him, "Regain your sight; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well."Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus, glorifying and praising and honoring God. And all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Healing the Man Born Blind
While He was passing by, He noticed a man [who had been] blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi (Teacher), who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed and illustrated in him.We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works]." When He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with His saliva, and He spread the mud [like an ointment] on the man’s eyes. And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.
Curas de paralíticos e enfermos
Paralíticos caminharam, leprosos ficaram limpos e todo tipo de doença foi curada pelo toque e pela palavra de Jesus.
And a leper came up to Him and bowed down before Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You are able to make me clean (well)." [Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-14] Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest [for inspection] and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony (evidence) to them [of your healing]." [Lev 14:2]
They brought to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], Jesus said to the paralytic, "Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God]." [Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26] And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven and the penalty paid,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority and the power on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home."And he got up and went home [healed and forgiven].
A man was there whose hand was withered. And they asked Jesus, "Is it lawful and permissible to heal on the Sabbath?"—they asked this so that they might accuse Him and bring charges into court. But He said to them, "What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful and permissible to do good on the Sabbath."Then He said to the man, "Reach out your hand!" The man reached out and it was restored, as normal and healthy as the other.
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they told Him about her. Jesus went to her, and taking her by the hand, raised her up; and the fever left her, and she began to serve them [as her guests].
And a leper came to Him, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, saying, "If You are willing, You are able to make me clean." [Matt 8:2-4; Luke 5:12-14] Moved with compassion [for his suffering], Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."The leprosy left him immediately and he was cleansed [completely healed and restored to health].
Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. [Matt 9:2-8; Luke 5:18-26] When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said], "Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?" Immediately Jesus, being fully aware [of their hostility] and knowing in His spirit that they were thinking this, said to them, "Why are you debating and arguing about these things in your hearts?Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your mat and walk’?But so that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority and power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralyzed man, "I say to you, get up, pick up your mat and go home."And he got up and immediately picked up the mat and went out before them all, so that they all were astonished and they glorified and praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
Again Jesus went into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. [Matt 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11] The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him [in the Jewish high court]. He said to the man whose hand was withered, "Get up and come forward!"He asked them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness and arrogance of their hearts, He told the man, "Hold out your hand." And he held it out, and his hand was [completely] restored.
The Leper and the Paralytic
While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man covered with [an advanced case of] leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean and well." [Matt 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-44] And Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him.
Some men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they tried to bring him in and lay him down in front of Jesus. [Matt 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12] But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof [and removed some tiles to make an opening] and lowered him through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven."The scribes and the Pharisees began to consider and question [the implications of what He had said], saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]? Who can forgive sins [that is, remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?" But Jesus, knowing their [hostile] thoughts, answered them, "Why are you questioning [these things] in your hearts?Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?But, in order that you may know that the Son of Man (the Messiah) has authority and power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralyzed man, "I say to you, get up, pick up your stretcher and go home."He immediately stood up before them, picked up his stretcher, and went home glorifying and praising God.
On another Sabbath He went into the synagogue and taught, and a man was present whose right hand was withered. [Matt 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6] The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely [with malicious intent], to see if He would [actually] heal [someone] on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse Him. But He was aware of their thoughts, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward." So he got up and stood there.Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you directly: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?"After looking around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did, and his hand was [fully] restored.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Slave
After He had finished all that He had to say in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. [Matt 8:5-13]
Now a [Roman] centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly [to come], saying, "He is worthy for You to do this for him, because he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense]." And Jesus went with them. But when He was near the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But just speak a word, and my slave will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it." Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man’s]." When the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had an illness caused by a spirit (demon). She was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are released from your illness."Then He laid His hands on her; and immediately she stood erect again and she began glorifying and praising God.
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
It happened one Sabbath, when He went for a meal at the house of one of the ruling Pharisees, that they were watching Him closely and carefully [hoping to entrap Him]. And there in front of Him was a man who had dropsy (extreme swelling). And Jesus asked the lawyers and the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?"But they kept silent. Then He took hold of the man and healed him, and sent him on his way.
Ten Lepers Cleansed
While Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing [along the border] between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance; and they raised their voices and called out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were [miraculously] healed and made clean. [Lev 14:2-32] One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice; and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten [of you] cleansed? Where are the [other] nine?Was there no one found to return and to give thanks and praise to God, except this foreigner?"Jesus said to him, "Get up and go [on your way]. Your faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God’s power] has restored you to health."
The Healing at Bethesda
Later on there was a Jewish feast (festival), and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew (Jewish Aramaic) Bethesda, having five porticoes (alcoves, colonnades). In these porticoes lay a great number of people who were sick, blind, lame, withered, [waiting for the stirring of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down into the pool at appointed seasons and stirred up the water; the first one to go in after the water was stirred was healed of his disease.] There was a certain man there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to get well?"The invalid answered, "Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Get up; pick up your pallet and walk."Immediately the man was healed and recovered his strength, and picked up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath.
Healing a Nobleman’s Son
So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum. Having heard that Jesus had come back from Judea to Galilee, he went to meet Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you [people] see [miraculous] signs and wonders, you [simply] will not believe."The royal official pleaded with Him, "Sir, do come down [at once] before my child dies!" Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives!" The man believed what Jesus said to him and started home. As he was already going down [the road], his servants met him and reported that his son was living [and was healthy]. So he asked them at what time he began to get better. They said, "Yesterday during the seventh hour (1 p.m.) the fever left him." Then the father realized that it was at that very hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son lives"; and he and his entire household believed and confidently trusted [in Him as Savior]. This is the second sign (attesting miracle) that Jesus performed [in Cana] after He had come from Judea to Galilee [revealing that He is the Messiah].
A mulher com fluxo de sangue
Uma mulher que sofria há doze anos tocou a orla do manto de Jesus e foi curada instantaneamente pela sua fé.
Then a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the [tassel] fringe of His outer robe; [Matt 14:36] for she had been saying to herself, "If I only touch His outer robe, I will be healed." But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Take courage, daughter; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well." And at once the woman was [completely] healed.
A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe. For she thought, "If I just touch His clothing, I will get well." Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering.
And a woman who had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years [and had spent all her money on physicians], and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His outer robe, and immediately her bleeding stopped. Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" While they all were denying it, Peter [and those who were with him] said, "Master, the people are crowding and pushing against You!" But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, because I was aware that power [to heal] had gone out of Me."When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came up trembling and fell down before Him. She declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has made you well. Go in peace (untroubled, undisturbed well-being)."
Ressurreições
Jesus ressuscitou mortos — a filha de Jairo, o filho da viúva de Naim e Lázaro. Ele é Senhor sobre a morte.
Miracles of Healing
While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered [the house] and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live." [Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56] Jesus got up and began to accompany the ruler, with His disciples.
When Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players [who were professional, hired mourners] and the [grieving] crowd making an uproar, He said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead, but is sleeping." And they laughed and jeered at Him. But when the crowd had been sent outside, Jesus went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.
One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing Him, fell at His feet [Matt 9:18-26; Luke 8:41-56] and begged anxiously with Him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live." And Jesus went with him; and a large crowd followed Him and pressed in around Him [from all sides].
They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked [with understanding] at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing [in mourning]. When He had gone in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping."They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. But He made them all go outside, and took along the child’s father and mother and His own [three] companions, and entered the room where the child was. Taking the child’s hand, He said [tenderly] to her, "Talitha kum!"—which translated [from Aramaic] means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child’s resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement.
"To what then shall I compare the people of this generation [who set aside God’s plan], and what are they like?They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, and saying, ‘We played the flute for you [pretending to be at a wedding], and you did not dance; we sang a dirge [pretending to be at a funeral], and you did not weep [so nothing we did appealed to you].’ For John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a man who is a glutton and a [heavy] wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews].’ Yet wisdom is vindicated and shown to be right by all her children [by the lifestyle, moral character, and good deeds of her followers]."
The Anointing in Galilee
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house [in the region of Galilee] and reclined at the table.Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a sinner; and when she found out that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume;
Now a man named Jairus, a synagogue official, came [to Him]; and he fell at Jesus’ feet and began begging Him to come to his house; [Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43] for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as Jesus went, the people were crowding against Him [almost crushing Him].
While He was still speaking, someone from the synagogue official’s house came and said [to Jairus], "Your daughter is dead; do not inconvenience the Teacher any further." But Jesus, hearing this, answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe and trust [in Me and have faith in My ability to do this], and she will be made well."When He came to the house, He allowed no one to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. Now they were all weeping loudly and mourning for her; but He said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead, but is sleeping."Then they began laughing scornfully at Him and ridiculing Him, knowing [without any doubt] that she was dead. But Jesus took hold of her hand and spoke, saying, "Child, arise!"And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He ordered that she be given something to eat. Her parents were greatly astonished [by the miracle]; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus
Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. [John 12:3] So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, he [our brother and Your friend] whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness will not end in death; but [on the contrary it is] for the glory and honor of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."Now Jesus loved and was concerned about Martha and her sister and Lazarus [and considered them dear friends]. So [even] when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed in the same place two more days. Then He said to His disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi (Teacher), the Jews were only recently going to stone You, and You are [thinking of] going back there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours [of light] in the day? Anyone who walks in the daytime does not stumble, because he sees [by] the light of this world.But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him."He said this, and after that said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him."The disciples answered, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was referring to natural sleep. So then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.
Domínio sobre a natureza
Jesus acalmou a tempestade, andou sobre as águas e multiplicou pães. A natureza obedece à voz do seu Criador.
When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. [Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25] And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we are going to die!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]. The men wondered in amazement, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an isolated place and the hour is already late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!"They replied, "We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish." He said, "Bring them here to Me."Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up twelve full baskets of the leftover broken pieces. There were about 5,000 men who ate, besides women and children.
And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. [Mark 6:48; John 6:19]
Four Thousand Fed
Then Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and have nothing [left] to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, because they might faint [from exhaustion] on the way [home]." [Mark 8:1-21] The disciples said to Him, "Where are we to get enough bread in this isolated place to feed so large a crowd?" And Jesus asked them, "How many loaves [of bread] do you have?" They replied, "Seven, and a few small fish." He directed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and when He had given thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the people. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they gathered up seven full baskets of the broken pieces that were left over. [Among] those who ate were 4,000 men, not counting women and children.
The Tribute Money
When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?" [Ex 30:13; 38:26] Peter answered, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt [from taxation]. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to them [to pay the temple tax] for you and Me."
The Barren Fig Tree
Now early in the morning, as Jesus was coming back to the city, He was hungry. [Mark 11:12-14, 20-24] Seeing a lone fig tree at the roadside, He went to it and found nothing but leaves on it; and He said to it, "Never again will fruit come from you." And at once the fig tree withered.
When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, "How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?" Jesus replied to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen [if God wills it]. [1 John 5:14] And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive."
And a fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?" And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still (muzzled)!" And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?" They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
When the day was nearly gone, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is an isolated place, and it is already late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But He replied, "You give them something to eat!" And they asked Him, "Shall we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" [2 Kin 4:42-44] He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go look!" And when they found out, they said, "Five [loaves], and two fish." Then Jesus commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties [so that the crowd resembled an orderly arrangement of colorful garden plots]. Taking the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing [of praise and thanksgiving to the Father]. Then He broke the loaves and [repeatedly] gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And the disciples picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces [of the loaves], and of the fish. Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men [not counting the women and children].
Seeing the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) He came to them, walking on the sea. And [acted as if] He intended to pass by them. [Matt 14:25; John 6:19] But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out [in horror]; for they all saw Him and were shaken and terrified. But He immediately spoke with them and said, "Take courage! It is I (I AM)! Stop being afraid." [Ex 3:14] Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased [as if exhausted by its own activity]; and they were completely overwhelmed,
Four Thousand Fed
In those days, when there was again a large crowd [gathered before Him] and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and told them, [Matt 15:32-39] "I feel compassion for the crowd; they have been with Me now for three days and have nothing [left] to eat.If I send them away to their homes hungry, they will faint [from exhaustion] on the road; because some of them have come a long way."His disciples replied to Him, "Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this isolated place to feed these people?" He asked them, "How many loaves [of bread] do you have?" They said, "Seven." He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and [repeatedly] gave them to His disciples to set before them, and they served the crowd. They also had a few small fish; and when Jesus had blessed them [and given thanks], He ordered these [fish] to be set before them as well. And the people ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand [men] were there [besides women and children]; and He sent them away.
On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He was hungry. [Matt 21:18-22] Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, "No one will ever eat fruit from you again!" And His disciples were listening [to what He said].
In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up. And remembering, Peter said to Him, "Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!" Jesus replied, "Have faith in God [constantly]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. [Matt 17:20; Luke 17:6; 1 John 5:14] For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others].
The First Disciples
Now it happened that while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee), with the people crowding all around Him and listening to the word of God; that He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake, but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little distance from the shore. And He sat down and began teaching the crowds from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon [Peter], "Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch [of fish]." Simon replied, "Master, we worked hard all night [to the point of exhaustion] and caught nothing [in our nets], but at Your word I will [do as you say and] lower the nets [again]." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were [at the point of] breaking; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats [with fish], so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Go away from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all his companions were completely astounded at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon [Peter]. Jesus said to Simon, "Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!"After they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
Jesus Calms the Sea
Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake (Sea of Galilee)." So they set out. [Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41] But as they were sailing, He fell asleep. And a fierce gale of wind swept down [as if through a wind tunnel] on the lake, and they began to be swamped, and were in great danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are about to die!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging, violent waves, and they ceased, and it became calm [a perfect peacefulness]. And He said to them, "Where is your faith [your confidence in Me]?" They were afraid and astonished, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?"
Jesus Calms the Sea
Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake (Sea of Galilee)." So they set out. [Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41] But as they were sailing, He fell asleep. And a fierce gale of wind swept down [as if through a wind tunnel] on the lake, and they began to be swamped, and were in great danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are about to die!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging, violent waves, and they ceased, and it became calm [a perfect peacefulness]. And He said to them, "Where is your faith [your confidence in Me]?" They were afraid and astonished, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?"
The Demoniac Cured
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is east of Galilee. [Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-17]
Five Thousand Fed
Now the day was ending, and the twelve [disciples] came and said to Him, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging, and get provisions; because here we are in an isolated place." But He said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people." [2 Kin 4:42-44] (For there were about 5,000 men.) And He said to His disciples, "Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each."They did so, and had them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and He looked up to heaven [and gave thanks] and blessed them, and broke them and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were [completely] satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were [abundant and were] picked up—twelve baskets full.
Miracle at Cana
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no more wine." Jesus said to her, "[Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? My time [to act and to be revealed] has not yet come." [Eccl 3:1] His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification (ceremonial washing), containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim. Then He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter [of the banquet]." So they took it to him.And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had turned into wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) he called the bridegroom, and said to him, "Everyone else serves his best wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then he serves that which is not so good; but you have kept back the good wine until now." This, the first of His signs (attesting miracles), Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory [displaying His deity and His great power openly], and His disciples believed [confidently] in Him [as the Messiah—they adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]. [Deut 5:24; Ps 72:19]
But He said this to test Philip, because He knew what He was about to do. Philip answered, "Two hundred denarii (200 days’ wages) worth of bread is not enough for each one to receive even a little." One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, "There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down [to eat]." Now [the ground] there was [covered with] an abundance of grass, so the men sat down, about 5,000 in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; the same also with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they had eaten enough, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost."So they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
Then, when they had rowed three or four miles [and were near the center of the sea], they saw Jesus walking on the sea and approaching the boat; and they were [terribly] frightened. But Jesus said to them, "It is I (I AM); do not be afraid." [Matt 14:27; John 8:58] Then they were willing to take Him on board the boat, and immediately the boat reached the [shore of the] land to which they were going.
Jesus Appears at the Sea of Galilee
After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). And He did it in this way: Simon Peter, and Thomas who is called Didymus (the twin), and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, as well as [John and James] the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said, "And we are coming with you." So they went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
As morning was breaking, Jesus [came and] stood on the beach; however, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish [to eat along with your bread]?" They answered, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat (starboard) and you will find some." So they cast [the net], and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great catch of fish. Then that disciple (John) whom Jesus loved (esteemed) said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer tunic (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea [and swam ashore]. But the other disciples came in the small boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
So when they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire set up and fish on it cooking, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three [of them]; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Libertações
Jesus expulsou demônios com autoridade. Os espíritos impuros não resistiam à sua palavra e saíam imediatamente.
As Jesus went into Capernaum, a centurion came up to Him, begging Him [for help], [Luke 7:1-10] and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, with intense and terrible, tormenting pain." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."But the centurion replied to Him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority [of a higher rank], with soldiers subject to me; and I say to one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it." When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those who were following Him, "I tell you truthfully, I have not found such great faith [as this] with anyone in Israel.I say to you that many [Gentiles] will come from east and west, and will sit down [to feast at the table, and enjoy God’s promises] with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven [because they accepted Me as Savior], while the sons and heirs of the kingdom [the descendants of Abraham who will not recognize Me as Messiah] will be thrown out into the outer darkness; in that place [which is farthest removed from the kingdom] there will be weeping [in sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [in distress and anger]." [Ps 107:2, 3; Is 49:12; 59:19; Mal 1:11] Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; it will be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was restored to health at that very hour.
Jesus Casts Out Demons
When He arrived at the other side in the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming out of the tombs met Him. They were so extremely fierce and violent that no one could pass by that way. [Mark 5:1-17; Luke 8:26-37] And they screamed out, "What business do we have [in common] with each other, Son of God? Have You come to torment us before the appointed time [of judgment]?" [Judg 11:12; 2 Sam 16:10; Matt 25:41; Mark 5:7; Luke 4:34; Rev 20:10] Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was grazing. The demons began begging Him, "If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." And He said to them, "Go!" So they came out [of the men] and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water. The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the men under the power of demons. And the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
While they were going away, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out [by Jesus], the mute man spoke; and the crowds wondered in amazement, saying, "Never before has anything like this [miracle] been seen in Israel."
The Pharisees Rebuked
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw. [Mark 3:22-27; Luke 11:14, 15]
The Syrophoenician Woman
After leaving there, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. [Mark 7:24-30] And a Canaanite woman from that district came out and began to cry out [urgently], saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David (Messiah); my daughter is cruelly possessed by a demon." But He did not say a word in answer to her. And His disciples came and asked Him [repeatedly], "Send her away, because she keeps shouting out after us." He answered, "I was commissioned by God and sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."But she came and began to kneel down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" And He replied, "It is not good (appropriate, fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the pet dogs."She said, "Yes, Lord; but even the pet dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters’ table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in My power] is great; it will be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that moment.
The Demoniac
When they approached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, kneeling before Him and saying, [Mark 9:14-27; Luke 9:37-42] "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic (moonstruck) and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him." And Jesus answered, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed at once.
Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out [terribly from the depths of his throat], saying, "What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet (muzzled, silenced), and come out of him!"The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and screeching with a loud voice, came out of him.
The Gerasene Demoniac
They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. [Matt 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-37] When Jesus got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, and the man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with chains. For he had often been bound with shackles [for the feet] and with chains, and he tore apart the chains and broke the shackles into pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue and tame him. Night and day he was constantly screaming and shrieking among the tombs and on the mountains, and cutting himself with [sharp] stones. Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him [in homage]; and screaming with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have in common with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God [swear to me], do not torment me!" [Matt 8:29; Luke 4:34] For Jesus had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he began begging Him repeatedly not to send them out of the region. Now there was a large herd of pigs grazing there on the mountain. And the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the pigs so that we may go into them!" Jesus gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out [of the man] and entered the pigs. The herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea; and they were drowned [one after the other] in the sea.
The herdsmen [tending the pigs] ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what had happened.
but you [Pharisees and scribes] say, ‘If a man tells his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you is Corban, (that is to say, already a gift to God)," ’ then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother [since helping them would violate his vow of Corban]; so you nullify the [authority of the] word of God [acting as if it did not apply] because of your tradition which you have handed down [through the elders]. And you do many things such as that."
The Heart of Man
After He called the people to Him again, He began saying to them, "Listen [carefully] to Me, all of you, [hear] and understand [what I am saying]: there is nothing outside a man [such as food] which by going into him can defile him [morally or spiritually]; but the things which come out of [the heart of] a man are what defile and dishonor him.
The Syrophoenician Woman
Jesus got up and left there and went to the region of Tyre [and Sidon, the coastal area of Phoenicia]. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know about it; but it was impossible for Him to be hidden [from the public]. [Matt 15:21-28] Instead, after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile (Greek), a Syrophoenician by nationality. And she kept pleading with Him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He was saying to her, "First let the children [of Israel] be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the pet dogs (non-Jews)."But she replied, "Yes, Lord, but even the pet dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs." And He said to her, "Because of this answer [reflecting your humility and faith], go [knowing that your request is granted]; the demon has left your daughter [permanently]." And returning to her home, she found the child lying on the couch [relaxed and resting], the demon having gone.
One of the crowd replied to Him, "Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him [intending to do harm], it throws him down, and he foams [at the mouth], and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. I told Your disciples to drive it out, and they could not do it." He replied, "O unbelieving (faithless) generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!"They brought the boy to Him. When the [demonic] spirit saw Him, immediately it threw the boy into a convulsion, and falling to the ground he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he answered, "Since childhood. The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" Jesus said to him, "[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!" Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, "I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief." When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering [around them], He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!"After screaming out and throwing him into a terrible convulsion, it came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse [so still and pale] that many [of the spectators] said, "He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he stood up.
Many Are Healed
Then Jesus got up and left the synagogue and went to Simon’s (Peter’s) house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. [Matt 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34] Standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she got up and began serving them [as her guests].
Now when Jesus stepped out on land, He was met by a man from the city [of Gerasa] who was possessed with demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and was not living in a house, but among the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out [with a terrible voice from the depths of his throat] and fell down before Him [in dread and terror], and shouted loudly, "What business do we have [in common] with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me [before the appointed time of judgment]!" Now He was [already] commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him [violently] many times; and he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, "Legion"; because many demons had entered him. They continually begged Him not to command them to go into the abyss. [Rev 9:1]
Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the mountain. The demons begged Jesus to allow them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and told it in the city and out in the country. And people came out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind (mentally healthy); and they were frightened.
But I tell you truthfully, there are some among those standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
The Transfiguration
Now about eight days after these teachings, He took along Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. [Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8] As He was praying, the appearance of His face became different [actually transformed], and His clothing became white and flashing with the brilliance of lightning. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and were speaking of His departure [from earthly life], which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Now Peter and those who were with him had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and splendor and majesty, and the two men who were standing with Him. And as these [men, Moses and Elijah] were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is delightful and good for us to be here; we should make three [sacred] tents; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not realizing what he was saying.
And a man from the crowd shouted for help, "Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only child; and a spirit seizes him, and suddenly he cries out, and it throws him into a convulsion so that he foams at the mouth; and only with [great] difficulty does it leave him, mauling and bruising him as it leaves.I begged Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You unbelieving and perverted generation! How long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here [to Me]." Even while the boy was coming, the demon slammed him down and threw him into a [violent] convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. They were all amazed [practically overwhelmed] at the [evidence of the] greatness of God and His majesty and His wondrous work. [Mark 9:30-32]
But while they were still awed by everything Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,
Pharisees’ Blasphemy
And [at another time] Jesus was casting out a demon, and it was [controlling a man so as to make him] mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds were awed. [Matt 12:22-24]
And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. [Matt 26:51; Mark 14:47; John 18:10] But Jesus replied, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched the ear and healed him.
When John’s messengers left, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: "What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh wilderness]? Those who wear splendid clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces!But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one far more [eminent and remarkable] than a prophet [who foretells the future]. This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi],
‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [Mal 3:1]
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater [in privilege] than he."All the people and the tax collectors who heard Jesus, acknowledged [the validity of] God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers [who were experts in the Mosaic Law] annulled and set aside God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.