The 37 Miracles: Categorizing the Power of Jesus Christ

Beyond the Big Five: Categorizing the 37 Recorded Miracles of Jesus and What They Reveal About His Authority

Introduction

The Gospels record exactly 37 distinct miracles performed by Jesus Christ—an incredible chronicle of power that demonstrates His authority over sickness, nature, life, and death. While many believers are familiar with the feeding of the 5,000 or the raising of Lazarus, grouping these 37 acts reveals the true scope of Jesus’ power and mission. This article categorizes these miracles into four key areas, showing how Christ’s divinity was expressed through every act.

Category 1: Authority Over the Natural World (Nature Miracles)

These miracles demonstrate Jesus’ sovereignty over the physical laws of the universe. He was not merely asking God for a favor; He was commanding His own creation.

• Changing Water into Wine (JN 2:1-11)
• The Miraculous Catch of Fish (LK 5:1-11, JN 21:1-11)
• Calming the Storm (MT 8:24-27 / MK 4:37-41 / LK 8:22-25)
• Feeding the 5000 (MT 14:15-21 / MK 6:35-44 / LK 9:12-17 / JN 6:5-14)
• Walking on Water (MT 14:25-32 / MK 6:48-51 / JN 6:19-21)
• Feeding the 4000 (MT 15:32-39 / MK 8:1-9)
• The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth (MT 17:24-27)
• Cursing the Fig Tree (MT 21:18-22 / MK 11:12-14, 20-24)

Category 2: Authority Over Sickness and Disease (Healing Miracles)

The largest group of Jesus’ miracles, these acts show His compassion and His power to reverse human suffering—often defying what was medically possible at the time.

• Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed (MT 8:14-15 / MK 1:29-31 / LK 4:38-39)
• Healed Many Others at Evening (MT 8:16-17 / MK 1:32-34 / LK 4:40-41)
• The Leper Healed (MT 8:2-4 / MK 1:40-45 / LK 5:12-16)
• The Lame Man Healed (MT 9:1-8 / MK 2:1-12 / LK 5:18-26)
• The Man with the Withered Hand (MT 12:9-14 / MK 3:1-6 / LK 6:6-11)
• The Woman with the Issue of Blood (MT 9:20-22 / MK 5:25-34 / LK 8:43-48)
• The Two Blind Men Healed (MT 9:27-31)
• Healing the Daughter of the Canaanite Woman (MT 15:21-28 / MK 7:24-30)
• Healing the Deaf and Mute Man (MK 7:31-37)
• Healing the Blind Man at Bethsaida (MK 8:22-26)
• Healing the Blind Man Bartimaeus (MT 20:29-34 / MK 10:46-52 / LK 18:35-43)
• Healing the Ten Lepers (LK 17:11-19)
• Healing the Man Born Blind (JN 9:1-12)
• Healing the Servant’s Ear (Malchus’ Ear) (LK 22:50-51 / JN 18:10)
• Healing the Man at the Pool of Bethesda (JN 5:1-15)
• Healing a Man of Dropsy (LK 14:1-6)

Category 3: Authority Over Demonic Forces (Exorcism Miracles)

These miracles proved Jesus’ absolute victory over the kingdom of darkness, demonstrating that He had power that the religious authorities and other healers lacked.

• Casting out a Demon in the Synagogue (MK 1:23-28 / LK 4:33-37)
• Casting out Demons at Evening (MT 8:16-17)
• Healing the Gerasene Demoniac (MT 8:28-34 / MK 5:1-20 / LK 8:26-39)
• Healing the Blind and Mute Demoniac (MT 12:22-23 / LK 11:14)
• Healing the Demoniac Boy (MT 17:14-21 / MK 9:14-29 / LK 9:37-43)
• Healing the Woman Bound by a Spirit (LK 13:10-17)

Category 4: Authority Over Death (Resurrection Miracles)

These are the most powerful miracles, serving as indisputable proof of Jesus’ divinity and His ultimate claim to be the resurrection and the life.

• Raising Jairus’ Daughter (MT 9:18-26 / MK 5:21-43 / LK 8:40-56)
• Raising the Widow’s Son at Nain (LK 7:11-17)
• Raising Lazarus from the Dead (JN 11:1-46)

Conclusion: The Meaning of the Miracles

Each of the 37 miracles, whether categorized as a minor healing or a spectacular resurrection, served a primary purpose: to authenticate Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. The miracles were not ends in themselves, but signs pointing to the ultimate reality of His power.

By studying these acts, we confirm the truth found in Matthew 16:16—that He is the Christ—and we are encouraged that the same authority that controlled the storm and defeated death is at work in the world today.