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The result of these mighty works was that:--
"there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and
from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan" (verse 25).
A glance at the map shows that thus early in the Lord's ministry His mighty works
were known throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is important to observe the
setting in which these miracles were wrought. The miracles were not mere exhibitions of
power, neither were they performed to strike terror into the observers, for they were all of
one character, viz., miracles of healing, and attracted followers from all parts of the
country. The miracles formed a supplement to TEACHING and PREACHING. The last
reference to miracles in the Gospel narratives says the same thing, "and they went forth
and PREACHED everywhere, the Lord WORKING with them, and confirming the
WORD with signs following" (Mark 16: 20). Again, in Matt. 10:, we find the same
connection, "As ye go, PREACH, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons". Yet again the necessary
association of preaching and miracles is implied in Matt. 11:, "He departed thence to
TEACH and to PREACH in their cities". The object (or at least a prominent object)
with which the miracles were wrought is given in Matt. 11: 20, "then began He to
upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented
not". The close connection between the miracles and the testimony is also indicated in
Matt. 13: 58, "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief".
Matthew 9: 35 presents a practical repetition of Matt. 4: 23, as the reader can observe,
and should be read in connection with the commission of Matthew 10:
One of the characteristic accompaniments of the preaching of the gospel of the
kingdom was the presence of evidential miracles. One of the characteristic features of
the preaching of the Mystery concerning the Body of Christ is the absence of miracles.
We might notice the extent of the miraculous healing given in Matt. 4: 23, 24, "healing
all manner of sickness and all manner of disease"; "all sick people that were taken with
divers diseases, and torments, and those which were possessed with demons, and those
who were lunatick, and those who had the palsy, and He healed them ALL". The details
are given more fully as the narrative advances, and when we see the complete list of the
mighty works that are recorded in the Gospels we shall begin to realize what a
confirmation is given to His ministry; and when we add to that the testimony of
John 21: 25, "there are also many other things which Jesus DID, the which, if they
should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that should be written", the confirmation of His Messiahship must have been
overwhelming. Yet they crucified Him! Yet they repented not! What a testimony then
to the nature of the human heart.
(Miracles10, pp.9-11).