Translation | Verse | Text |
King James | Joh 4:54 | This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. |
Word | American Tract Society - Definition |
GALILEE | In the time of Christ, included all the northern part of Palestine lying west of the Jordan and north of Samaria. Before the exile the name seems to have been applied only to a small tract bordering on the northern limits, 1Ki 9:11. Galilee, in the time of Christ, was divided into Upper and Lower, the former lying north of the territory of the tribe of Zebulun, and abounding in mountains; the latter being more level and fertile, and very populous; the whole comprehending the four tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Asher. Lower Galilee is aid to have contained four hundred and four towns and villages, of which Josephus mentions Tiberias, Sepphoris, and Gabara, as the principal; though Capernaum and Nazareth are the most frequently mentioned in the New Testament, Mr 1:9 Lu 2:39 Joh 7:52, etc. "Galilee of the Gentiles" is supposed to be Upper Galilee, either because it bordered on Tyre and Zidon, or because Phenicians, Syrians, Arabs, and other heathen were numerous among it inhabitants. The Galileans were accounted brave and industrious; though other Jews affected to consider them as not only stupid and unpolished, but also seditious, and therefore proper objects of contempt, Lu 13:1 23:6 Joh 1:47 7:52. They appear to have used a peculiar dialect, by which they were easily distinguished from the Jews of Jerusalem, Mr 14:70. Many of the apostles and first converts to Christianity were men of Galilee, Ac 1:11 2:7, as well as Christ himself; and the name Galilean was often given as an insult, both to him and his followers. The apostate emperor Julian constantly used it, and in his dying agony and rage cried out, "O Galilean, thou hast conquered!" Our Savior resided here from infancy till he was thirty years of age, and during much of his public ministry; and the cities of his public ministry; and the cities of Nazareth, Nain, Cana, Capernaum, with the whole region of the sea of Galilee, are sacredly endeared to all his people by the words he there spoke, and the wonders he wrought. For the Sea of Galilee, see SEA 3. |
Word | Easton Dictionary - Definition |
GALILEE | circuit. Solomon rewarded Hiram for certain services rendered him by the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali. Hiram was dissatisfied with the gift, and called it "the land of Cabul" (q.v.). The Jews called it Galil. It continued long to be occupied by the original inhabitants, and hence came to be called "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Matt. 4:15), and also "Upper Galilee," to distinguish it from the extensive addition afterwards made to it toward the south, which was usually called "Lower Galilee." In the time of our Lord, Galilee embraced more than one-third of Western Palestine, extending "from Dan on the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, to the ridges of Carmel and Gilboa on the south, and from the Jordan valley on the east away across the splendid plains of Jezreel and Acre to the shores of the Mediterranean on the west." Palestine was divided into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, which comprehended the whole northern section of the country (Acts 9:31), and was the largest of the three. It was the scene of some of the most memorable events of Jewish history. Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life. The first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord's public ministry in this province. "The entire province is encircled with a halo of holy associations connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth." "It is noteworthy that of his thirty-two beautiful parables, no less than ninteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and his last, after his resurrection, on the shore of Galilee's sea. In Galilee our Lord delivered the Sermon on The Mount, and the discourses on 'The Bread of Life,' on 'Purity,' on 'Forgiveness,' and on 'Humility.' In Galilee he called his first disciples; and there occurred the sublime scene of the Transfiguration" (Porter's Through Samaria). When the Sanhedrin were about to proceed with some plan for the condemnation of our Lord (John 7:45-52), Nicodemus interposed in his behalf. (Comp. Deut. 1:16,17; 17:8.) They replied, "Art thou also of Galilee?.... Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." This saying of theirs was "not historically true, for two prophets at least had arisen from Galilee, Jonah of Gath-hepher, and the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah of Thisbe, and perhaps also Nahum and Hosea. Their contempt for Galilee made them lose sight of historical accuracy" (Alford, Com.). The Galilean accent differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader and more guttural (Mark 14:70). |
Word | Easton Dictionary - Definition |
JESUS | (1.) Joshua, the son of Nun (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; R.V., "Joshua"). (2.) A Jewish Christian surnamed Justus (Col. 4:11). Je'sus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42). This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num. 13:8, 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num. 13:16; 1 Chr. 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It was given to our Lord to denote the object of his mission, to save (Matt. 1:21). The life of Jesus on earth may be divided into two great periods, (1) that of his private life, till he was about thirty years of age; and (2) that of his public life, which lasted about three years. In the "fulness of time" he was born at Bethlehem, in the reign of the emperor Augustus, of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter (Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:23; comp. John 7:42). His birth was announced to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Wise men from the east came to Bethlehem to see him who was born "King of the Jews," bringing gifts with them (Matt. 2:1-12). Herod's cruel jealousy led to Joseph's flight into Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, where they tarried till the death of this king (Matt. 2:13-23), when they returned and settled in Nazareth, in Lower Galilee (2:23; comp. Luke 4:16; John 1:46, etc.). At the age of twelve years he went up to Jerusalem to the Passover with his parents. There, in the temple, "in the midst of the doctors," all that heard him were "astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:41, etc.). Eighteen years pass, of which we have no record beyond this, that he returned to Nazareth and "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). He entered on his public ministry when he was about thirty years of age. It is generally reckoned to have extended to about three years. "Each of these years had peculiar features of its own. (1.) The first year may be called the year of obscurity, both because the records of it which we possess are very scanty, and because he seems during it to have been only slowly emerging into public notice. It was spent for the most part in Judea. (2.) The second year was the year of public favour, during which the country had become thoroughly aware of him; his activity was incessant, and his frame rang through the length and breadth of the land. It was almost wholly passed in Galilee. (3.) The third was the year of opposition, when the public favour ebbed away. His enemies multiplied and assailed him with more and more pertinacity, and at last he fell a victim to their hatred. The first six months of this final year were passed in Galilee, and the last six in other parts of the land.", Stalker's Life of Jesus Christ, p. 45. The only reliable sources of information regarding the life of Christ on earth are the Gospels, which present in historical detail the words and the work of Christ in so many different aspects. (See CHIRST.) |
Word | American Tract Society - Definition |
MIRACLE | Also called a sign, wonder, or mighty work, Ac 2:32; a work so superseding in its higher forms the established laws of nature as to evince the special interposition of God. A miracle is to be distinguished from wonders wrought by designing men through artful deceptions, occult sciences, or laws of nature unknown except to adepts. The miracles wrought by Christ, for example, were such as God only could perform; were wrought in public, before numerous witnesses, both friends and foes; were open to the most perfect scrutiny; had an end in view worthy of divine sanction; were attested by witnesses whose character and conduct establish their claim to our belief; and are further confirmed by institutions still existing, intended to commemorate them, and dating from the period of the miracles. Christ appealed to his mighty works as undeniable proofs of his divinity and Messiahship, Mt 9:6 11:4,5,23,24 Joh 10:24-27 20:29,31. The deceptions of the magicians in Egypt, and of false prophets in ancient and in modern times, De 13:1 Mt 24:24 2Th 2:9 Re 13:13,14, would not bear the above tests. By granting to any man the power to work a miracle, God gave the highest attestation to the truth he should teach and the message he should bring, 1Ki 18:38,39; this is God's own seal, not to be affixed to false hoods; and though the lying wonders of Satan and his agents were so plausible as to "deceive if possible the very elect," no one who truly sought to know and do the will of God could be deluded by them. The chief object of miracles having been to authenticate the revelation God has made of his will, these mighty words ceased when the Scripture canon was completed and settled, and Christianity was fairly established. Since the close of the first century from the ascension of Christ, few or no undoubted miracles have been wrought; and whether a sufficient occasion for new miracles will ever arise is known only to God. The following list comprises most of the miracles on record in the Bible, not including the supernatural visions and revelations of himself which God vouch-safed to his ancient servants, nor those numerous wonders of his providence which manifest his hand almost as indisputable as miracles themselves. See also PROPHECY. Old Testament Miracles The creation of all things, Ge 1:1-31. The deluge, comprising many miracles, Ge 6:1-22. The destruction of Sodom, etc., Ge 19:1-38. The healing of Abimelech, Ge 20:17,18. The burning bush, Ex 3:2-4. Moses' rod made a serpent, and restored, Ex 4:3-4 7:10. Moses' hand made leprous, and healed, Ex 4.6-7. Water turned into blood, Ex 4:9,30. The Nile turned to blood, Ex 7:20. Frogs brought and removed, Ex 8:6,13. Lice brought, Ex 8:17. Flies brought, and removed, Ex 8:21-31. Murrain of beasts, Ex 9:3-6. Boils and blains brought, Ex 9:10,11. Hail brought, and removed, Ex 9:23,33. Locusts brought, and removed, Ex 10:13,19. Darkness brought, Ex 10:22. First-born destroyed, Ex 10:29. The Red Sea divided, Ex 14:21-22. Egyptians overwhelmed, Ex 14:26-28. Waters of Marah sweetened, Ex 15:27. Quails and manna sent, Ex 16:1-36. Water from the rock, in Horeb, Ex 17:6. Amalek vanquished, Ex 17:11-13. Pillar of cloud and fire, Nu 9:15-23. Leprosy of Miriam, Nu 12:10. Destruction of Korah, etc., Nu 16:28-35,46-50. Aaron's rod budding, Nu 17:8. Water from the rock, in Kadesh, Nu 20:11. Healing by the brazen serpent, Nu 21:8,9. Balaam's ass speaks, Nu 22:28. Plague in the desert, Nu 25:1,9. Water of Jordan divided, Jos 3:10-17. Jordan restored to its course, Jos 4:18. Jericho taken, Jos 6:6-20. Achan discovered, Jos 7:14-21. Sun and moon stand still, Jos 10:12-14. Gideon's fleece wet, Jud 6:36-40. Midianites destroyed, Jud 7:16-22. Exploits of Samson, Jud 14:1-16:31. House of Dagon destroyed, Jud 16:30. Dagon falls before the ark, etc., 1Sa 5:1-12. Return of the ark, 1Sa 6:12. Thunder and rain in harvest, 1Sa 12:18. Jeroboam's hand withered, etc., 1Ki 13:4,6. The altar rent, 1Ki 13:5. Drought caused, 1Ki 17:6. Elijah fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:6. Meal and oil supplied, 1Ki 17:14-16. Child restored to life, 1Ki 17:22-23. Sacrifice consumed by fire, 1Ki 18:36,38. Rain brought, 1Ki 18:41-45. Men destroyed by fire, 2Ki 1:10-12. Waters of Jordan divided, 2Ki 2:14. Oil supplied, 2Ki 4:1-7. Child restored to life, 2Ki 4:32-35. Naaman healed, 2Ki 5:10,14. Gehazi's leprosy, 2Ki 5:27. Iron caused to swim, 2Ki 6:6. Syrians smitten blind, etc., 2Ki 19:35. Hezekiah healed, 2Ki 20:7. Shadow put back, 2Ki 20:11. Pestilence in Israel, 1Ch 21:14. Jonah preserved by a fish, Jon 1:17 2:10. New Testament Miracles. The star in the east, Mt 2:3. The Spirit like a dove, Mt 3:16. Christ's fast and temptations, Mt 4:1-11. Many miracles of Christ, Mt 4:23-24 8:16 14:14,36 15:30 Mr 1:34 Lu 6:17-19. Lepers cleansed, Mt 8:3-4 Lu 17:14. Centurion's servant healed, Mt 8:5-13. Peter's wife's mother healed, Mt 8:14. Tempests stilled, Mt 8:23-26 14:32. Devils cast out, Mt 8:28-32 9:32-33 15:22-28 17:14-18. Paralytics healed, Mt 9:2-6 Mr 2:3-12. Issue of blood healed, Mt 9:20-22. Jairus' daughter raised to life, Mt 9:18,25. Sight given to the blind, Mt 9:27-30 20:34 Mr 8:22-25 Joh 9:17. The dumb restored, Mt 9:32-33 12:22 Mr 7:33-35. Miracles by the disciples, Mt 10:1-8. Multitudes fed, Mt 14:15-21 15:35-38. Christ walking on the sea, Mt 14:25-27. Peter walking on the sea, Mt 14:29. Christ's transfiguration, etc., Mt 17:1-8. Tribute from a fish's mouth, Mt 17:27. The fig tree withered, Mt 21:19. Miracles at the crucifixion, Mt 27:51-53. Miracles at the resurrection, Mt 28:1-7 Lu 24:6. Draught of fishes, Lu 5:4-6 Joh 21:6. Widow's son raised to life, Lu 7:14,15. Miracles before John's messengers, Lu 7:21-22. Miracles by the seventy, Lu 10:9,17. Woman healed of infirmity, Lu 13:11-13. Dropsy cured, Lu 14:2-4. Malchus' ear restored, Lu 22:50-51. Water turned to wine, Joh 2:6-10. Nobleman's son healed, Joh 4:46-53. Impotent man healed, Joh 5:5-9. Sudden crossing of the sea, Joh 6:21. Lazarus raised from the dead, Joh 11:43-44. Christ's coming to his disciples, Joh 20:19,26. Wonders at the Pentecost, Ac 2:1-11. Miracles by the apostles, Ac 2:43 5:12. Lame man cured, Ac 3:7. Death of Ananias and Sapphira, Ac 5:5,10. Many sick healed, Ac 5:15-16. Apostles delivered from prison, Ac 5:19. Miracles by Stephen, Ac 6:8. Miracles by Philip, Ac 8:6,7,13. Eneas made whole, Ac 9:34. Dorcas restored to life, Ac 9:40. Peter delivered from prison, Ac 12:6-10. Elymas struck blind, Ac 13:11. Miracles by Paul and Barnabas, Ac 14:3. Lame man cured, Ac 14:10. Unclean spirit cast out, Ac 16:18. Paul and Silas delivered, Ac 16:25-26. Special miracles, Ac 19:11-12. Eutchus restored to life, Ac 20:10-12. Viper's bite made harmless, Ac 28:5. Father of Publius, etc., healed, Ac 28:8,9. |
Word | Easton Dictionary - Definition |
MIRACLE | an event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a religious teacher and the truth of his message (John 2:18; Matt. 12:38). It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power. "The suspension or violation of the laws of nature involved in miracles is nothing more than is constantly taking place around us. One force counteracts another: vital force keeps the chemical laws of matter in abeyance; and muscular force can control the action of physical force. When a man raises a weight from the ground, the law of gravity is neither suspended nor violated, but counteracted by a stronger force. The same is true as to the walking of Christ on the water and the swimming of iron at the command of the prophet. The simple and grand truth that the universe is not under the exclusive control of physical forces, but that everywhere and always there is above, separate from and superior to all else, an infinite personal will, not superseding, but directing and controlling all physical causes, acting with or without them." God ordinarily effects his purpose through the agency of second causes; but he has the power also of effecting his purpose immediately and without the intervention of second causes, i.e., of invading the fixed order, and thus of working miracles. Thus we affirm the possibility of miracles, the possibility of a higher hand intervening to control or reverse nature's ordinary movements. In the New Testament these four Greek words are principally used to designate miracles: (1.) Semeion, a "sign", i.e., an evidence of a divine commission; an attestation of a divine message (Matt. 12:38, 39; 16:1, 4; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; 23:8; John 2:11, 18, 23; Acts 6:8, etc.); a token of the presence and working of God; the seal of a higher power. (2.) Terata, "wonders;" wonder-causing events; portents; producing astonishment in the beholder (Acts 2:19). (3.) Dunameis, "might works;" works of superhuman power (Acts 2:22; Rom. 15:19; 2 Thess. 2:9); of a new and higher power. (4.) Erga, "works;" the works of Him who is "wonderful in working" (John 5:20, 36). Miracles are seals of a divine mission. The sacred writers appealed to them as proofs that they were messengers of God. Our Lord also appealed to miracles as a conclusive proof of his divine mission (John 5:20, 36; 10:25, 38). Thus, being out of the common course of nature and beyond the power of man, they are fitted to convey the impression of the presence and power of God. Where miracles are there certainly God is. The man, therefore, who works a miracle affords thereby clear proof that he comes with the authority of God; they are his credentials that he is God's messenger. The teacher points to these credentials, and they are a proof that he speaks with the authority of God. He boldly says, "God bears me witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles." The credibility of miracles is established by the evidence of the senses on the part of those who are witnesses of them, and to all others by the testimony of such witnesses. The witnesses were competent, and their testimony is trustworthy. Unbelievers, following Hume, deny that any testimony can prove a miracle, because they say miracles are impossible. We have shown that miracles are possible, and surely they can be borne witness to. Surely they are credible when we have abundant and trustworthy evidence of their occurrence. They are credible just as any facts of history well authenticated are credible. Miracles, it is said, are contrary to experience. Of course they are contrary to our experience, but that does not prove that they were contrary to the experience of those who witnessed them. We believe a thousand facts, both of history and of science, that are contrary to our experience, but we believe them on the ground of competent testimony. An atheist or a pantheist must, as a matter of course, deny the possibility of miracles; but to one who believes in a personal God, who in his wisdom may see fit to interfere with the ordinary processes of nature, miracles are not impossible, nor are they incredible. (See LIST OF MIRACLES, Appendix.) |
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