Zed

The following are alleged claims in the gospels:

1- Jesus performs miracles and many people witness them and believe in him.
2- Skeptics ask for a miracle (a sign), but Jesus repeatedly refuses to give them one.
3- The Pharisees and other skeptics do not believe in Jesus.

It appears tip me that performing impressive stunts, such as cursing a fig tree or transforming water into wine, was not beneath Jesus. He often employed such tactics to impress people, most of whom already were his followers who believed in him anyway.

But when skeptics asked for a miracle, a very reasonable request from people who merely wished to verify his claims, he insisted that he doesn't play that game.

My theory here is that the gospel writers felt the need to include an explanation for why Jesus never performed miracles when scrutinizing, more educated individuals demanded to see them. Or perhaps the stories were an answer to those who confronted the early Christians about the fact that he never performed any miracles.

On the other hand, and this is puzzling, Jesus was reportedly performing miracles left and right, which seems to be a case where it was easier for Jesus to sell his "miracles"to people who already believed.

aa5874

The miracle stories in the Gospels are just pure fiction. Jesus fed 4 thousand and 5 thousand men on separate times with a few bread and fish and you are telling me that not ONE single Pharisee was there and got fed from the same fish and bread?

At least after the first 5 thousand were fed then some Pharisees should have been in on the second 4 thousand FEEDING MIRACLE even just to sample the menu.

dog-on

Zed, good catch. This is an example of an internal apologetic.

Zed

Jesus seems to act a lot like modern psychics. They're reportedly showing off their abilities left and right, but when asked to demonstrate, they insist that it just doesn't work that way! In fact, the skeptics and their lack of faith are blamed for it too.

And like Jesus, their excuse is that they're not in the business of doing cheap tricks to impress people.

arnoldo

Human nature being what it is, I doubt that even if Jesus had come down from the cross the Pharisee's would've believed. . .
The Apostle Paul comments on the Jews apparent continued demand for signs in 1 Corinthians 1:22-23

Perhaps the sign for the Pharisees was that He didn't come down from the cross?

spamandham

The purpose of these miracles was not to impress anyone.

The fig tree miracle is not a miracle at all, it's symbolism. In those days, the fig represented the coming of the messiah. Jesus' withering of the fig tree is symbolic of the death of messianic expectations - Christians should not be looking for a future savior, he has already come - which is why Jesus withers a fig tree (Judaism) before it has even produced a fig (the messiah).

The water to wine trick is also symbolic. Water in the Bible - the drink of commoners - represented the nonelect, while wine - the drink of those of status - represents the elect. The story of Jesus turning water into wine was symbolic of Christianity's focus on gentiles as the new elect - they are the water transformed into wine, and not just any wine, but the best wine saved for last!

(incidentally, the talk about old wine skins and new wine drives the symbolism home on the various wine related symbols in the gospel)

andrewcriddle

In the early forms of this tradition eg Mark 8:11 the request is for a "sign from heaven". I suspect the point is not that the Pharisees are questioning that Jesus had carried out exorcisms/faith healing, but that this sort of thing was ambiguous and raised questions about whether such acts were really done by God's power. The request is for something unambiguously from the true God. See letter of jeremiah about how false Gods cannot perform signs in heaven Andrew Criddle

aa5874

In the Story, it was a MIRACLE but the miracle or the deadly curse may have Symbolized the Jewish people.

Again in the Story it was a MIRACLE but it may have some SYMBOLIC meaning.

You may think you know what the "water to wine" miracle symbolizes but you may be wrong however it is a fACT that in gJohn there is a story that Jesus turned water to wine.

Zed

So what does this miracle symbolize: Jesus spits on mud then puts the mud on the blind man's eyes. The man sees walking trees. Jesus tries again and this time succeeds in healing the man.

spamandham

Not sure about that one..., but considering the identified symbolic nature of others, it seems we should be looking for symbolism.

Another symbolic miracle is the story of the suicidal pigs. This was discussed here in the Jewrassic Pork thread, which appears to be no longer available, but nonetheless, is probably political satire.