When we come to the Gospels, we are looking at Jesus as a healer.   All four gospels give examples of Jesus as a healer, 33).  r and show that His disciples were to practice the same.  However, we will note each gospel separately to bring out some distinctions.

Mark averages one healing per chapter in the early going and emphasizes healing near the opening (Mark 1:21-34, 39-45).  Especially noteworthy is his power over the demons (Mk. 1:25-34) and physical abnormalities (Mk. 1:30, 33).  His power is greater than the demons and able, also, to forgive sins (Mark 2:7-12).  While Mark gives the facts without commenting on the healings or recording many comments by Jesus, the reason may be because Jesus refused to create any publicity and would seek silence and restraint from telling anyone (Mk. 1.25, 34, 44; 5.43; 7.36; 8.26).

Mark does, however, record some of the reactions to the miracles.  For example,

(1) Mark 1:27 reads, “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this?  A new teaching-and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.”

(2) Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mk. 2.6f.)

(3) This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mk. 2.12)

(4) Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. (Mk. 3.6)

(5) And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons. ” (Mk. 3 .22)

In addition, Mark , gives a little more details in how some of the miracles were performed, such as the deaf-mute and blind man at Bethsaida.  (1) Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears.  (2) Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.  (3) He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”).  (4) He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. (5) When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around. ” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly (Mk. 8.23-25).

Finally, the emphasis is on Jesus’ healing.  Yet, Mark records His disciples and others performing miracles in Jesus’ name (6:13, 10:38-41).

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I have been a fervent student of the Bible all of my life
Experience: Preacher for 30 years and father of three sons
Education: Florida College and Missouri State University

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