7. Did Jesus really Perform Miracles?
Written on Apr 9, 2026
As I have stated in previous posts, I approach the accounts of Jesus's life in the New Testament as I would any other historical text. In this case the accounts concern some extraordinary events 2,000 years ago, written several decades afterwards. As with any ancient source, especially one reporting supernatural occurrences, I want to be satisfied that the accounts are reliable and grounded in evidence. I am not questioning the existence of Jesus as a charismatic spiritual teacher with a devoted following. Nor am I concerned with the moral teachings attributed to him, many of which continue to inspire people today. I am only concerned with the claims of his having miraculous powers, likewise some of his followers.
In the New Testament I read accounts of a man who was able to perform the following deeds: instantly curing people with serious illnesses; restoring sight to the blind; 'casting out demons' with whom he could converse and in one instance relocating them in pigs which then threw themselves into the Sea of Galilee and drowned; walking on water; feeding thousands with a few loaves and some fish; and calming storms. Then there is the greatest accomplishment of all: his resurrection.
Jesus's followers, too, are described as performing miracles. The Acts of the Apostles includes accounts of Peter healing the sick with his shadow and Paul reviving a man who had fallen to his death.
No written accounts by eyewitnesses to these miracles exist. Moreover, there is no reliable evidence that any person, past or present, including devout Christians, has ever been able to perform such miracles (notably curing intractable diseases). Indeed, our present scientific understanding of the world tells us that such things are not possible.
So, should I accept as authentic Jesus's miracles as described by the earliest Christians?
Consistent with the scientific method described in my last post, I will not accept the truth of these accounts if there exists at least one plausible alternative explanation that is consistent with our present knowledge of the world. So, is there an alternative explanation for the New Testament accounts of Jesus performing miracles other than that he did indeed do so?
It is significant to note that at the time in question, spiritual leaders and teachers commonly authenticated their divine credentials by claiming to perform the kind of miracles ascribed to Jesus. For example, Apollonius of Tyana was credited with healings, exorcisms, and even resurrection. And Jesus himself is quoted by his followers as asserting that his miraculous powers were the sign that he was the son of God.
In fact, throughout history to the present day, and across many cultures, individuals have asserted supernatural abilities as proof of divine favour or spiritual authority. The Old Testament itself contains numerous such stories.
Accordingly, many scholars propose that the Gospel writers-devout followers of Jesus-were motivated to endow him with divine status and present him as the long?awaited Messiah sent by God as foretold by the Hebrew prophets. Miracles were a key part of that identity. Including them in the narrative strengthened the theological message, but there were no miracles as such.
So, there is indeed a plausible, non-paranormal explanation for the claims that Jesus performed miracles. (In terms of David Hume's criterion described in my previous post, the possible 'alternative explanation' would not represent an even greater miracle than the Gospels' claims.) Hence, though I cannot prove this explanation, because it is rational and possible, I am unwilling to accept the validity of the miraculous claims.
Indeed, given the historical context and the need to present Jesus as the son of God and the promised Messiah, it would seem amazing to me if there were no accounts of him performing supernatural feats.
What about the claims in the New Testament that the details of Jesus's life fulfil the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament? If valid, wouldn't this be miraculous too?
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