Everyone healed
In the previous chapters, we have looked at the Old Testament and many Scriptures that speak about healing. I trust that these reasons and Bible verses have strengthened your faith and built you up in God’s Word. But the best is yet to come in the following chapters. Healing is not only a theme in the Old Testament—it is also clearly revealed in the New Testament.
Although the Old Testament provides more than enough Scripture to build our faith and assure us that God heals, the New Testament makes it even clearer and more powerful. As the writer of Hebrews says:
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)
When we compare the new covenant (the New Testament) with the old covenant, we see that the new is far better. If God already promised healing under the old covenant, how much more can New Covenant believers trust in this wonderful promise?
In this chapter, we will focus on the Scriptures that clearly say all were healed. We will go through them quickly, but truly, this chapter alone could become an entire book, showing how much God desires to heal.
Why We Should Look to Jesus
It is very important to look at the life of Jesus. He was perfect, walked in the perfect will of God, and did everything the Father desired. When we look at Jesus, we see the image of God the Father.
Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, (Hebrews 1:2-3)
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (John 14:9-10)
When we look at Jesus and read the accounts of His life in the Gospels, we see God. The will and works of Jesus are the same as the will and works of the Father.
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)
Jesus did not come to earth and decide on His own to heal people, as if to say, “Let Me heal for a change.” He did not act contrary to God's will—He walked in perfect obedience to the Father. When we see Jesus healing, we are seeing the will of both Jesus and the Father. When Jesus heals, the Father heals.
That is why it is so important to study the Gospel accounts and see how often people were healed. It is also important to observe how Jesus responded to those who came to Him for healing. Did He ever refuse to heal someone? Did He ever give reasons why someone should remain sick? Let me tell you in advance: we cannot answer that question with examples of Jesus refusing to heal—because He healed everyone. He never sent anyone away sick. He never said, “It is not your time to be healed,” or “It is not God’s will for you to be healed,” or “Remain sick so God can test your love for Him.”
By looking at the life of Jesus, we see clearly the will of God the Father—to heal.
Reason 42: Jesus Healed Everyone
Let us examine whether Jesus healed people—and how many He healed. Some who read the healing accounts in the Gospels think, “Those people were fortunate; God, in His sovereignty, must have decided to heal them.” But the testimonies in the Gospels are not just isolated cases—they are examples of people who were healed. In fact, Jesus healed far more people than are recorded in Scripture. As the apostle John wrote:
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. (John 21:25)
Let us now look at Bible passages that show Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. Since the four Gospels sometimes describe the same event, I have listed the relevant verses together for each occasion.
1. The Sermon on the Mount:
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. (Matthew 4:23-24)
2. After Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law:
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. (...) (Mark 1:32-34)
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. (Luke 4:40)
3. Before Jesus gave His disciples power and authority over sickness and demons:
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
4. John the Baptist's question:
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:4-5)
And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Luke 7:21-22)
5. After healing a withered hand:
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. (Matthew 12:15)
For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. (Mark 3:10)
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. (Luke 6:17-19)
6. At the time of the miraculous multiplication of bread:
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14)
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. (Luke 9:11)
After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. (John 6:1-2)
7. In Gennesaret:
And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. (Matthew 14:35-36)
And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. (Mark 6:54-56)
8. Before the second multiplication of bread:
Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:29-31)
9. On the way to Judea:
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. (Matthew 19:1-2)
10. In the temple:
Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. (Matthew 21:14)
11. The report about Jesus:
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:15-16)
12. A summary from the Book of Acts:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.. (Acts 10:38)
These are twenty different Bible passages showing that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. Healing was not a rare or occasional event in His ministry. Jesus traveled throughout Israel, healing the sick. Why did Jesus heal the sick? Because “He was moved with compassion for them” and desired to take away their suffering. We clearly saw this in Matthew 14:14.
Thus, when we study the ministry of Jesus, we come to the clear conclusion that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. Even today, Jesus still desires to heal all who are sick, because He is moved with compassion. He does not want anyone to remain in sickness—His will is to heal them all.
There is, however, one occurrence in the Bible where Jesus could not perform many miracles. And there was a clear reason for that. Let us read the passage:
When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:54-58)
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. (Mark 6:4-5)
Do you see what happened? Jesus wanted to heal them, but He could not—because He was not received with faith. They saw Jesus as “the carpenter’s son,” someone they had known growing up in their town. They did not see Him as the Messiah or believe that He had the power to do miracles. Because of their unbelief, they were unable to receive their healing. In fact, when we include Luke’s account, we see that their rejection was so strong that they even wanted to kill Him:
So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (Luke 4:28-30)
When you are planning to throw the Son of God off a cliff, you cannot also stand in faith to receive healing from Him. In His hometown, Jesus was not honored. The people did not believe in Him—they preferred to reject Him rather than receive from Him. This was one of the few situations where Jesus could not heal everyone. He healed only those who were willing to receive and believed in Him. The point I want to make is this: everyone who came to Jesus in faith was healed. And in those days, having faith to receive from Jesus was not difficult. Jesus never had to turn anyone away. He healed them all.
Because Jesus healed everyone, people believed He would heal them too. Imagine standing in line behind someone who has only one arm, and you watch as Jesus heals that person and a new arm is restored. That kind of miracle stirs faith in your heart for your needs. That is why I encourage you to attend healing services or listen to testimonies of healing—when you see God healing others, faith rises in your heart that He wants to heal you as well. In Israel, hundreds of thousands of people were healed during Jesus’ ministry. But at the same time, there were also people who did not come to Him for healing—they stayed home. Others did not honor Him for who He truly was. These people remained sick. Yet many of them appear again in the book of Acts—not healed by Jesus during His time on earth, but healed later through the apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reason 43: Jesus Healed in All Circumstances
As you know, we can respond differently depending on the situation we are in. Suppose someone asks, “Would you like to go to the movies with me?” Your answer may depend on your circumstances. If you haven’t done much all day, you’re feeling bored and have plenty of energy, you’ll probably say yes. But if you’ve had a rough day—slept poorly, worked long hours, got stuck in traffic—you might not feel like going. You’re tired and just want to rest. It was a difficult day.
When Jesus walked the earth, He also experienced difficult circumstances. There were times when He was tired, hungry, in need of rest, grieved, or even angry. Jesus was fully human, just like us—with the great difference that He never sinned.
For this reason, we will look at some of Jesus’ more “difficult” moments. In other words: What did Jesus do when He was physically exhausted or when He had just gone through something painful or heavy? Let’s look at some examples.
Difficult Moment 1: The Death of John the Baptist
Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded. When a loved one dies—especially through violence—it is deeply painful. Beyond the practical matters, like arranging a funeral, we also need time to grieve, cry, and process the loss. That is normal and healthy. After Jesus heard that John had died, He wanted to be alone for a while.
Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself (…) (Matthew 14:12-13)
Can you picture this moment? Jesus had just received terrible news. He wanted time alone—perhaps to pray, to grieve, and to process the loss. He also wanted to be with His twelve disciples in private. So He got into a boat and went to a quiet place. But the people noticed.
But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; (...) (Matthew 14:13-14)
The moment Jesus stepped off the boat—expecting solitude, rest, and time to mourn—He saw a great multitude waiting for Him. Imagine this happening to you. You're grieving, needing space, and as you open your front door, you find dozens of people standing there—not just for conversation, but people with serious needs. Many of us would likely turn away or say, “Not now, please come back another time.” But what did Jesus do?
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)
Jesus stepped out of the boat, put aside His own need for rest and mourning, and began healing the sick. Do you see how important healing was to Jesus? He did not heal only when it was convenient for Him—He healed even when it was the hardest moment for Him.
Jesus loves us so deeply that He desires to heal our sicknesses, even when it is not convenient from a human point of view. Of course, His position today is different than it was during His earthly ministry. Now, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus can perform healing miracles at the same time in America, Brazil, Australia, and China.
Difficult Moment 2: Even When Jesus was Angry, He Healed
Even in moments of righteous anger, Jesus continued to heal the sick. When He entered the temple and saw that it had been turned into a den of thieves—where goods were sold at unjust prices—He still showed compassion to those in need of healing.
Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. (Matthew 21:12-14)
Can you picture it? Jesus cleared the temple by driving out the merchants. And who was allowed to come to Him? The blind and the lame. It was not wrong to sell sheep and doves near the temple—people needed to purchase offerings to present to God. But charging excessive prices for sacrificial animals was a scandal in the eyes of Jesus. That injustice had no place in the house of God. The merchants were sent out, but the broken and needy were welcomed in.
The blind and the lame were allowed to come to Jesus in peace, and He cared for them. He healed them there—even while the temple was still stirred by what had just happened. Jesus demonstrated what kind of sacrifice God truly desires—to care for those in need.
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. (...) Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. (...) Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:11-17)
So even in a moment of anger—while cleansing the temple—Jesus still healed the sick. Once again, we see that healing the sick was not a small or occasional part of His ministry. It was central to His mission and His heart.
Difficult Moment 3: Jesus Healed in the Face of Offense
When Jesus walked the earth, many people were offended by Him. The scribes and Pharisees frequently criticized His ministry. They could not tolerate Jesus, and their hatred eventually led them to plot His death. One of the things that especially offended them was that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Even though Jesus knew the Pharisees would take offense if He healed on the Sabbath, He chose to do so anyway. To Jesus, the person in need was far more important than avoiding offense. He was willing to face opposition to bring healing to someone who was suffering.
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Mark 3:1-6)
Jesus knew what the consequences would be if He healed this man. He could have avoided conflict by saying, “Come to Me after sunset, when the Sabbath is over, and I will heal you then.” But Jesus did not choose that path. Instead, He healed the man immediately.
Jesus valued that man’s healing more than His safety. He was willing to endure the anger and plots of the Pharisees and Herodians so that this man would not have to wait another day for healing. Once again, we see how important healing was to Jesus—even at great personal cost.
Difficult Moment 4: Healing at His Arrest
Jesus did not only heal His friends or followers. He also healed Malchus, the servant of the high priest—one of the very men who came to arrest Him.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:50-51)
Malchus was not standing in faith, expecting a miracle. There is no indication that he believed Jesus would heal him—he came as part of the group sent to seize Him. Yet Jesus, during His arrest, chose to heal him.
This moment reveals something powerful about the heart of Jesus. If He was willing to heal an enemy who came to take Him away, how much more will He heal you—a child of God?
Difficult Moment 5: Jesus Needed Rest, Yet He Still Healed
Jesus had a human body, and like all people, He needed rest. That’s why He sometimes sought out lonely places, away from the crowds, to regain His strength and spend time in prayer with God the Father. One such moment is found in Mark 7, where Jesus traveled to a region outside of Israel.
From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. (Mark 7:24)
Jesus entered a house, hoping to remain unnoticed. He desired to be alone—to rest. But even there, He could not escape the needs of the people. A woman came to Him, pleading for the healing of her daughter. At first, Jesus did not respond, because He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and His ministry to the Gentiles had not yet begun. But the woman persisted in faith.
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:28)
Even though Jesus had gone to that place to rest and remain hidden, He responded to the woman’s faith and healed her daughter.
Once again, we see that Jesus healed even in difficult moments. Though He was limited by the physical nature of His earthly body, He still went out of His way to heal those in need. Healing was never a secondary part of His ministry—it was a deep expression of His love and compassion.
Reason 44: Jesus' Mission
When Jesus was on the earth, He gave His disciples many teachings. He also gave them assignments so they could actively participate in the work of the kingdom of God. But did Jesus also give them assignments concerning healing? And if so, does that mean healing is meant for everyone?
Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim the kingdom of God. But why did He do this? Why didn’t He just do everything Himself?
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)
Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel because He could not carry out the entire mission alone in His earthly ministry. He needed fellow laborers—those who would join Him in caring for people. Jesus was deeply moved with compassion for the crowds and wanted everyone to hear the good news, be healed, and be set free. That is why He told His disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers into His harvest. In the following verse, we see how this prayer was answered:
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (Matthew 10:1)
Jesus gave the disciples authority over every sickness and every disease. There was no sickness that they could not heal through the power He gave them. In other words, not only was Jesus able to heal all the sick—He also gave His disciples the same power and authority to do so. And after receiving this authority, they were also given the command:
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)
This may sound redundant. After all, if you have received authority to heal the sick, then you simply go and heal the sick—right? Yet even today, for whatever reason, many believers do not take the step to pray for the sick or minister healing, even though Jesus has given us the power and authority to do so.
What Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 10 was not only for them—it was something they were to pass on to all nations.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
What had Jesus commanded the disciples? To heal the sick. What, then, were the disciples supposed to teach the nations? To heal the sick. We find the same commission recorded in the Gospels of Luke and Mark:
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (...) So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6)
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. (...) So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. (Mark 6:7-13)
In this story, we read that Jesus gave His disciples power and authority to heal the sick. He commissioned them to minister to the sick, and we see that they did, in fact, heal the sick. Because of these three facts, we understand that the disciples were able to heal all who were sick, for Jesus had given them power over every disease. This shows that Jesus desired to heal all the sick, and that He also wanted others to walk in this healing ministry.
Jesus did not only send out the twelve disciples to heal the sick. He also appointed seventy others for this same mission.
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. (...) And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:1 and 9)
In other words, at least eighty-two disciples of Jesus were sent out to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. Imagine the impact it would have in your country if eighty-two disciples today received a revelation that Jesus has given them power and authority over all diseases. What would happen if these disciples understood the great authority they have received through Jesus Christ, and every sickness was healed and every demon was cast out? When this happens, it will lead to a great revival in your country. In a short time, the entire nation could be reached with the good news of the gospel. If it was possible for these eighty-two disciples—before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2—how much more is it possible for us today, now that we have received the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
In addition, there were others who also cast out demons in the name of Jesus.
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.” (Mark 9:38-40)
Jesus was not the only one who had the power and authority to heal the sick. He shared that power and authority with at least eighty-two of His followers. Many were active in healing the sick—just as Jesus had prayed for. He desired to see many laborers caring for the lost sheep. If that was Jesus’ desire two thousand years ago, then it is still His desire today. Jesus wants to see many workers preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and casting out demons.
Reason 45: The Disciples Healed All the Sick
In the previous reason, we saw that the disciples healed all who were sick while Jesus was still on the earth. But even after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples continued to heal all the sick. We begin with Jesus’ final command and then look at the book of Acts.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” (Matthew 28:18-20)
As we saw earlier, one of Jesus’ commands to His disciples was to heal the sick. They were also instructed to teach everything He had commanded them to future generations of believers.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus gave His disciples a commission that closely resembles the one He gave them in Matthew 10. They were to preach the gospel, cast out demons, and heal the sick. This commission did not change after Jesus left the earth. In fact, this was not a command for the disciples only—it was a command for all who believe. In other words, if you are a believer, these signs are meant to follow you.
Some people claim, “Only Jesus and His disciples could heal the sick.” But that is not true. Mark did not say, “These signs will follow the disciples.” He said, “These signs will follow those who believe.” If you believe in Jesus, you can lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. This is available to every believer. And every believer is called to lay hands on the sick so that they may be healed.
Furthermore, it does not say, “Pray for the sick, and God will sovereignly decide whether or not the person is healed.” Instead, God gives us the command, power, and authority to heal the sick. God desires that everyone be healed and wants to accomplish this—among other ways—through His children. This reveals both God’s will to heal all and the authority He has placed within the believer. Every believer has the ability to heal the sick because Jesus dwells in the believer and has given that authority. Healing the sick should be part of the daily life of every believer. I believe that all of us—including myself—are invited to grow in this area.
These were the words of Jesus, and the disciples obeyed them. Not only did Jesus’ disciples carry out this important work, but we also read in the book of Acts about others who healed the sick—such as Philip, Ananias, and Paul. Let us read what the book of Acts says about large-scale healings:
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:14-16)
Do you see the power and authority of the early Church in the book of Acts? The sick were brought to Jerusalem in great numbers—and they were all healed. God’s healing power rested so strongly on Peter that even his shadow brought healing to the sick.
The healing power that was in Jesus also worked through the believers in the book of Acts. And that makes perfect sense. When Jesus was on the earth, He had all authority and power to heal the sick. In the book of Acts, Jesus—through the Holy Spirit—dwelt in the believers. That same power was in Peter, and it caused people to be healed, just as when Jesus walked the earth.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Jesus’ healings had not come to an end. The time of healing was not over. God’s healing power continued to be abundant in the book of Acts.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Stephen was not one of the twelve apostles, yet he performed great wonders and signs among the people. Although Luke did not record the specific miracles Stephen performed, we read similar descriptions about the apostles, so it is reasonable to assume that Stephen did the same kinds of miracles and signs.
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (Acts 2:43)
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. (…) (Acts 5:12)
We also read in Acts about Philip, who healed many who were paralyzed and lame. Like Stephen, Philip was not one of the twelve apostles. He was one of the seven deacons appointed over the church in Jerusalem. Later, because of persecution, Philip left Jerusalem and went to Samaria.
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. (Acts 8:6-7)
God worked not only through the apostles in Jerusalem, but also through Philip among the Samaritans. God's healing power is not limited by location, person, or circumstance.
Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (Acts 8:13)
Great miracles and signs were also performed through Paul and Barnabas.
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:12)
In Acts 19, we read a powerful example of the signs and wonders God performed through Paul:
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:11-12)
People were healed by Peter’s shadow, and cloths that had touched Paul’s body brought healing. God's healing power did not end when Jesus ascended into heaven. His power remained available on earth through His servants.
So, when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. (Acts 28:9)
The disciples followed the example of Jesus—they healed the sick. In the book of Acts, we see several accounts of healings of multitudes. It is likely that many more took place, but Luke had to make choices about which events to include. He did the same in his Gospel. Luke recorded five healings of multitudes, while Matthew described ten. Yet even these were only a portion of what Jesus did. This is important to remember.
Healing is part of the life of every believer. Believers may receive healing and also minister healing to others. This clearly shows that God wants every sickness and disease to be healed. If God wanted people to remain sick, why would He command us to heal the sick?
Summary
In this chapter, we saw that healing is found not only in the Old Testament, but also in the New Testament. Jesus healed everyone who came to Him. He healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses and never sent anyone away sick or with an excuse. Jesus was perfect and did everything the Father desired. When Jesus healed people, it revealed that God the Father also wants to heal. It is important to look at Jesus because He is the exact image of God the Father. Jesus lived in perfect obedience and did only what He saw the Father doing. He healed people in every circumstance—even when He was tired, angry, or grieving. Jesus also healed on the Sabbath, which caused great offense to the Pharisees. Even when He was being arrested, He healed Malchus.
In addition, Jesus gave His disciples power and authority to heal the sick, and He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal. This took place both during His time on earth and in the book of Acts. For example, people were healed through Peter’s shadow and cloths from Paul’s body.
Clearly, healing is a vital part of the life of faith. It is God’s will for everyone to be healed. At the same time, it is also the believer’s calling to bring healing to others.