Purpose of Miracles in the Bible
The miracles in scripture have a central place in the biblical narrative. They are an important piece to the full character of our Lord, serving as divine interventions that transcend natural laws and human expectations. From the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, miracles are more than displays of supernatural power, but are deeply theological acts that reveal God’s character, authenticate his messengers, and advance his redemptive purposes. This article explores these crucial purposes of miracles and situates them within the broader framework of God’s self-revelation and covenantal relationship with humanity.
Miracles as Revelation of God’s Character
Miracles reveal the nature and attributes of God. In the Old Testament, miracles often demonstrate God’s sovereignty over creation and history. For example, the ten plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12) could be mistaken as random acts of destruction from God’s wrath. But when we explore the context of scripture, we see they are deliberate moves that reveal God’s supremacy over the Egyptian gods and his love for his people and his commitment to deliver them. After the Red Sea was parted and Israel was delivered, Moses and the Israelites sang, “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11). The miracle served to magnify God’s holiness, power, and faithfulness.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ miracles reveal his divine identity and the nature of the kingdom of God. When Jesus calmed the storm, his disciples asked, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). Jesus rescued them from danger, but the greater purpose of the miracle was a revelation of Jesus’ authority over nature, pointing to his divinity and messianic role.
Miracles as Authentication of God’s Messengers
Another significant purpose of miracles is the authentication of those whom God has sent. In both testaments, miracles serve as divine endorsements of prophets, apostles, and ultimately, Jesus himself. When Moses was called to lead Israel out of Egypt, he was given miraculous signs to validate his divine commission (Exodus 4:1-9). These signs were intended to convince the people that “the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you” (Exodus 4:5).
In the New Testament, the apostles performed miracles to confirm their message and authority. The book of Acts records that “many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43), and Paul later writes that “the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works” (2 Corinthians 12:12). These miracles were not for spectacle but served to validate the apostolic witness to the resurrection and teachings of Jesus.
Jesus’ own miracles functioned in this way as well. When John the Baptist sent messengers to ask if Jesus was the one to come, Jesus responded by pointing to his miraculous works: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them” (Matthew 11:4-5). These acts fulfilled messianic prophecies (see, Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1) and authenticated Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Miracles as Instruments of Deliverance and Judgment
Miracles in the Bible also function as instruments of both deliverance and judgment. In the Exodus narrative, the plagues serve as judgments against Pharaoh and Egypt, while the parting of the Red Sea is a miraculous deliverance for Israel and a judgment upon the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21-31). These dual aspects of miracles–salvation for some and judgment for others–are consistent throughout Scripture.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ miracles often bring deliverance from physical ailments, demonic oppression, and even death. These acts of healing and liberation are signs of the incoming kingdom of God. When Jesus cast out demons, he declared, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). The miracles are eschatological signs that God’s reign is being established.
However, miracles can also serve as judgment. In Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus rebukes the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing many miracles. He warns that their judgment will be more severe than that of Tyre, Sidon, and even Sodom. Thus, miracles can function as a double-edged sword: they reveal God’s power and offer grace, but they also increase accountability for those who reject the Truth.
Miracles as Signs Pointing to Greater Spiritual Realities
The purpose of miracles in the Bible is never limited to the miracle itself. Biblical miracles are signs that point beyond the immediate event to deeper spiritual truths. The Gospel of John is particularly explicit about this purpose, referring to Jesus’ miracles as “signs”. John writes, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
The feeding of the five thousand is a good example. Jesus uses the miracle of satisfying physical hunger to teach that he is the true bread from heaven: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). The miracle points to the deeper reality of spiritual nourishment and eternal life found in Christ.
Similarly, the raising of Lazarus is not just a display of power over death but a revelation of Jesus as “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). These signs are powerful and designed to lead people to faith, not just to momentary awe.
Miracles as Means of Compassion and Restoration
Miracles are also expressions of divine compassion. Jesus’ miracles often arise from his deep empathy for human suffering. When he saw the widow of Nain mourning her only son, “he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” before raising her son from the dead (Luke 7:13). His healings, exorcisms, and provisions are not cold demonstrations of power but acts of love that restore individuals to wholeness and community.
There is a broader theme of redemption reflected within these signs. Miracles often reverse the effects of the fall–sickness, death, and demonic oppression–and point forward to the ultimate restoration of all things in the new creation. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”
Conclusion
The purpose of miracles recorded in the Bible is to reveal the character of God, authenticate his messengers, enact deliverance and judgment, point to greater spiritual realities, and express divine compassion. Far from being arbitrary or merely sensational, biblical miracles are integral to God’s plan for revelation and redemption. Miracles are not only historical events but enduring signs that continue to speak to the church and the world today. They call people to faith, deepen understanding of God’s nature, and provide glimpses of the kingdom that is both already present and yet to come.