The Biblical Meaning of Miracles

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 23, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 17.

The Biblical Meaning of Miracles

The word “miracle” in the New Testament comes from two words; the first (dunamis) signifying force, power, strength, might, is from the same root as our word “dynamite.” It is rendered in the common version “miracle” or “miracles” nine times, as follows: Mark 9:39; Acts 2:22; 8:13; 19:11; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 29; Gal. 3:5; Heb. 2:4. It is rendered “mighty works,” “mighty signs,” “mighty deeds,” in the following places: Matt. 11:20, 21, 23; 13:54, 58; 14:2; Mark 6:2, 5, 14; Luke 10:13; 19:37; Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:12. The word is used with special reference to superhuman, supernatural, extraordinary power. The other word (semeion), rendered “miracle” in the New Testament, occurs in these texts: John 2:11, 23; 3:2; 6:2, 26; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47; 12:37; Acts 6:8; 8:6; 15:12; Rev. 13:14; 16:14; 19:20. The same Greek word is used in the Septuagint in Ex. 7:9; Deut. 29:3. It is defined by Strong to mean “An indication especially ceremonial or supernatural.” It is rendered “miracle,” “sign,” “token,” “wonder.” Sign or token is the better rendering. The mighty works, or miracles, which Christ wrought were signs or tokens of His divine mission. Moreover, they were distinct from the ordinary working of nature. The constant growth of plants, the revolution of the heavenly bodies, the circulation of the blood, the digestion of food, are all evidences of God’s wonderful wisdom and power; but none of these are miracles in the Bible sense. Many of these operations move on according to, from the divine view-point, perverted or abnormal law, performing their functions in a defective manner. But when God works a miracle, He by His mighty power lifts the thing above the common working of abnormal law nearer to its divine standard. Despite of sin, God’s common working in His creation is wonderful; but His miraculous working is more. Sometime, when sin is blotted out, we will have the divine life working normally through perfect, unperverted law. Study the above: