The disciples themselves are the next to exhibit their impressions, marveling and

saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" When

the multitude witnessed the miracle of the healing of the sick of the palsy, "they

marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men". As a result of His

raising the ruler's daughter from the dead, "the fame thereof went abroad unto all that

land". As a result of the disobedience of the blind men who were healed to the Lord's

injunction, the fame of the Lord was spread abroad in all that country. When the dumb

man possessed with a demon was cured, the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never

so seen in Israel".

Then follows the commission of the twelve (chapter 10:) who received from the Lord

power over unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. Their power

was very full: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons". Their

testimony was widespread.  John in prison heard of the works of Christ and was

confirmed in the belief that these were indeed His evidences (11: 1-6).

After the healing of the blind and dumb demoniac, "the people were amazed, and said,

Is not this the Son of David?" This in the eyes of the Pharisees was a perilous question,

so that they reiterated their blasphemy that the Christ of God was in league with Satan.

We first of all find it touched upon in 9: 34, "The Pharisees said, He casteth out

demons by the prince of demons"; and no comment is passed. In 12: 24 we discover it

to have gathered strength, and then the Lord exposes their thoughts and brings to bear

upon them the fact that the kingdom of God had come unto them. Will it be believed that

after all the signs and wonders which the Lord had given, miracles for which He had

become famous throughout the length and breadth of the land, these insolent rulers of this

age have the temerity to say, "Master we would SEE A SIGN from thee" (12: 38)? The

Lord's answer indicates that the time for shewing signs is passed. The next great sign

shall be that of His resurrection.

We shall observe the same order in the Gospel of John. Seven out of the eight signs

come in the first half of the Gospel. Then comes chapters 13: - 17:, where the Lord is

with His own, and the eighth and concluding sign is that which follows His resurrection.

The parables of the mysteries of the kingdom (Matt. 13:) follow the Lord's rejection,

and the miracles that follow are a complete set by themselves. The first reference to

miracles after the great rejection (chapters 12:, 13:) is of a negative character: "He did

not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (13: 58).

We will look at the whole series however before we consider any in detail:--