The miracles of Jesus, Myth or Reality?
The Gospels mention some 35 miracles of Jesus. But it would have made even more numerous supernatural works (John 20: 30-31). Are these stories imaginary or real and allegorical and historical facts? Courses in the text and in the halls of the museum.
The Wedding at Cana inv 142
Paolo Caliari said VERONESE About 1563
One of the greatest paintings
in the Louvre, which came in 1798
Completed in 1563 for the refectory San Giorgio Maggiore
in Venice Benedictine.
The Gospels indicate some 35 miracles of Jesus
Belief in miracles is found in almost all religions. The Bible mentions of God's interventions in the past to perform humanly impossible things (Jeremiah 32:21), miracles described as "physical phenomena that exceed the known powers of man or nature and attributed to a supernatural intervention. »
Jesus healing
the paralytic at Bethesda
RF 1961-1981
Giandomenico TIEPOLO Venice, 1727
The subject is recounted
in the four Gospels.
The Gospels never use the original word rendered miracle. Three Greek words are used. The first, dunamis, literally means power. He described the event in terms of divine power in action (Luke 9: 37-43). It may be rendered by 'capacity, power works (Luke 8: 46, Matthew 11:20, 25:15). The second teras, is often translated omen or portent (John 4:48; Acts 2:19). It highlights the effect on observers. The last term, semeion has the meaning of a sign. It focuses on the deeper meaning of the miracle, a sign that conveys a truth.
Three Greek words are used to translate the term miracle
The Gospels
never use the original word
rendered miracle
We can not believe
in the Bible without
believing in miracles
Christ healing the paralytic RF 1983-1964
Around 1735 Alessandro MAGNASCO Probably painted after returning from Magnasco in Genoa where he settled in 1735, having spent most of his careerin Milan and Florence
Jesus healing a deaf-mute RF 1937-4
Bartholomeus Breenbergh 1635
The healing of the deaf-mute refers to the Gospel
of St. Mark. The bottom is furnished with ancient Roman ruins, obligatory reference
for the world of lovers of the time
The Parable of the Blind RF 829
Copy after Pieter Bruegel I? 1525 Brussels The blindness discussed here under the guise of the parable is spiritual. This copy (good quality) of the table of the great Brueghel (Pieter I) in the Museum of Naples (1568), is due to an unknown Flemish The Blind of Jericho Inv. 7281
Nicolas Poussin, 1650 Painted for the Lyon merchant Reynon.
Celebrates his entry into the collections of Louis XIV, the painting was, from 1667, the subject of a lecture at the Royal Academy of Painting by Sébastien Bourdon.
Biblical miracles are not magic
Biblical miracles are not magic. They are distinguished by their public nature, their simplicity, their purpose and reason for being. They were made without ostentation, followed a chance meeting in a query and the lack of faith of a person was not an obstacle to its realization. These miracles were not intended only to satisfy the curiosity of witnesses. They were always helpful to others, sometimes directly on the physical plane, and in all cases spiritually. Jesus never drew attention to himself. He always made sure that the honor and glory back to God. Note also that the Jews who opposed Christianity never challenged the powerful works done by Jesus and described in the Gospels. They questioned, it is the power by which they were accomplished.
Jesus on the Sea of Galilee
RF 1648
Alexandre-Gabriel DECAMPS about 1836
Biblical subjects here Miraculous fishing, are rare in Decamps. This vast panorama is similar to that of the masterpiece of the artist, the Defeat of the Cimbri (1833) exposed Daru room.
The subject is rooted in the Gospels of Luke (5: 1-11) and St. John (21: 1 -8) that provide quite different accounts of the episode, the first placing Jesus in a boat, the second on the shore.
Miraculous Fishing inv 5487
Jean JOUVENET about 1706
Jouvenet, however, seems to have retained the meaning given by Luke exerting a fisherman, Peter and
his companions had taken so many fish that their nets broke. But the fishing was mostly symbolic, since Christ invited them to leave their nets to become fishers of men.
Miracles today? The miracles of Jesus made it possible to identify the Messiah, and they proved that he had the support of God. His powerful works were indissolubly linked to the message he preached. The first disciples also had miraculous gifts, and they were helpful during the early days of the Christian congregation. But the apostle Paul explained that these gifts were not a permanent feature of Christian worship and they disappear (1 Corinthians 13: 8-10). They are no longer needed. Christians' walk by faith, not by sight "(2 Corinthians 5: 7) because they have all the inspired Scriptures.
The Raising of Jairus' daughter
inv 141
Towards 1546
Paolo Caliari said VERONESE
This paper mounted on canvas
is the preparatory sketch for a painting now lost, painted for the chapel Avanzi the church of San Bernardino in Verona.
This work Veronese youth,
full of freshness, illustrates a passage Gospel of Mark (5.35 to 43):
Jesus (center) raises the daughter
of Jairus, the synagogue ruler (left),
surrounded by the apostles Peter
and John and Jacques (right).
The analysis of Jesus' miracles would be incomplete if it were limited to arguments for their authenticity. The Gospels reveal a man of deep feelings, unrivaled compassion, and who genuinely cared about the welfare of others. His empathy led him to use divine power to help people. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever" we read in Hebrews 13:8. It is ready to use his miraculous divine powers of a more remarkable man than when he was on earth. Yes, one can not believe in the Bible without believing in miracles.
The Resurrection of Lazarus
RF 188
As from 1620, Peter Paul Rubens
Sketch for the big picture Berlin (destroyed in 1945).
"Lazarus, come out! »
The most spectacular miracle no doubt the resurrection of Lazarus.
The subject is told in the Gospel according to John (11, 38-44) Martha and Mary, the sisters
of Lazarus died four days had come
to worship the Christ.
Brought before the sepulcher,
it cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!", And the dead rose,
and feet bound hands and face covered with a cloth.
The Resurrection of Lazarus
Jesus publicly pray that we know that it is through the divine power that he will bring back to life his friend. Many witnesses are present. This is certainly one of the most promising miracles for the future.
The Resurrection of Lazarus
inv 5489
Jean JOUVENET about 1706 Before the Revolution to
the church Saint-Martin-des Champs in Paris
All Bible truths are suspended a miracle of paramount importance: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No miracle in the Bible is better documented. Both in his Gospel in the books of Acts, Luke, a leading historian, presents Jesus' resurrection as a fact (Luke 24: 1-52; Acts 1: 3). The two evangelists, Matthew and John, witnessed his death and claimed to have seen him after his resurrection. Paul also. It specifies that "Christ appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time." - 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, The best documented
According to the Bible,
the Jewish leaders were bribed
the soldiers guarding the tomb,
giving them this instruction: "Say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him '"(Matthew 28: 11-13)
The ploy of the Jewish leaders
is confirmed by extra-biblical sources. Include the Dialogue with Trypho of Justin. Tryphon was Jewish and that dialogue was intended for the defense of Christianity. It is unlikely that Justin had mentioned this charge if the Jews had not made.
Apparition of Christ to the Three Marys Inv. 5356
Laurent LA HYRE Paris, 1606
Before the French Revolution, this table adorned the convent church Carmelite Saint-Jacques Street, in Paris, with Christ's Entry into Jerusalem La Hyre (currently at Saint-Germain-des-Prés) and Stella works, Champaigne and Le Brun.
In reality, the resurrection of Jesus is for Christians the foundation of their faith. The Apostle Paul says: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is certainly
in vain and our faith is also vain (...) and useless" - 1 Corinthians 15: 14,17