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The Miracles after the rejection.
A1 | 13: 58. Not many because of unbelief.
B1
| C | a | 14: 14. Many healed.
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b | 14: 15-21. 5,000 fed.
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D | 14: 22, 23. The Sea.
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E | 14: 36. Perfectly whole.
D | 15: 21-28. The woman of Canaan.
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| C | a | 15: 29, 30. Many healed.
b | 15: 31-39. 4,000 fed.
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A2 | 16: 1-4. The demand for a sign refused.--
No sign but that of the prophet Jonah.
B2
| F | 17: 14-21. Lunatic. Faith remove mountains.
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G | 17: 27. Tribute. Kingdom not yet come.
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(19: 2. Multitudes healed).
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H | 20: 30. Blind. Son of David.
H | 21: 1. Colt. Thy King cometh.
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G | 21: 14. Blind and Lame. Son of David.
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| F | 21: 19. Fig tree withered. Faith to remove mountains.
A3 | 27: 42-44. Demand for evidential miracle refused.
B3 | 27: 52 - 28: 8. THE SIGN OF JONAH.
The first set of seven miracles does not partake so much of the character of signs as of
miracles of compassion. He went about doing good. "And Jesus. . . . was moved with
compassion" (14: 14). The feeding of the 5,000 resembles the feeding of the 4,000, and
there again the Lord says, "I have compassion on the multitude".
The second series of seven begins to foreshadow the development of events.
Immediately after the glory of the transfiguration the Lord deals with a difficult case of
demon possession and makes reference to a faith capable of removing mountains. Then
follows the miracle of the tribute money and its question:--
"Of whom do the Kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or
strangers? Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the
children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast
an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened its mouth,
thou shalt find a piece of money, that take and give unto them for Me and thee."
Has the reader observed one great difference between the miracles performed before
the twelfth chapter and those after it? In the case of those that are detailed in the first half
of Matthew Christ works them entirely alone. A change comes with this new series.
The disciples are the ones first addressed with regard to the feeding of the 5,000.
"Jesus said unto them, They need not depart, give ye them to eat." While the disciples
were utterly unable to comply with the task they have an ample share in its outworking.
Peter evidently began to realize that the working of miracles in conjunction with the Lord
was now expected, for he asks the Lord to bid him come to Him upon the water!