Healing in the Bible

Elisha performs multiple miracles: multiplying a widow's oil to pay debts, promising a son to a Shunammite woman, raising that son from death, purifying poisoned stew, and feeding 100 men with 20 loaves.

Naaman, commander of the Aramean army, has leprosy. An Israelite servant girl suggests he visit Elisha. Naaman is initially offended when told to wash seven times in the Jordan but obeys and is healed. Elisha's servant Gehazi secretly takes payment and is cursed with leprosy.

Hezekiah falls deathly ill, and Isaiah tells him to set his affairs in order. Hezekiah prays, and God adds 15 years to his life, confirming it with the shadow retreating ten steps. Hezekiah foolishly shows Babylonian envoys all his treasures, and Isaiah foretells the Babylonian exile.

Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. The healed man leaps and praises God, drawing a crowd. Peter seizes the moment to preach about Jesus as the Messiah, calling the people to repentance for the refreshing times that come from the Lord.

Persecution scatters the believers, spreading the gospel. Philip preaches in Samaria with signs and wonders. Simon the sorcerer seeks to buy the Spirit's power. Philip is directed by an angel to an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah; Philip explains the gospel and baptizes him on the road.

Saul, breathing threats against Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus in a blinding light. He is converted, baptized, and begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. Ananias obeys God to minister to Saul. Peter raises Tabitha from the dead in Joppa.

Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In Lystra, Paul heals a lame man, and the crowd tries to worship them as gods. They refuse, pointing to the living God. Paul is stoned and left for dead but rises and continues. They appoint elders in every church and return to Antioch.

In Ephesus, Paul encounters disciples who have not received the Holy Spirit. He teaches in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. Extraordinary miracles occur. The silversmiths riot because Paul's preaching threatens their idol-making business for Artemis, causing a city-wide uproar.

Paul survives a viper bite on Malta, impressing the islanders. He arrives in Rome and, though under house arrest, freely preaches the kingdom of God and teaches about Jesus for two whole years. Acts ends with the gospel advancing unhindered in the heart of the empire.

Moses and the Israelites sing a triumphant song celebrating God's victory over Egypt at the Red Sea. Miriam leads the women in dancing with tambourines. The people then travel into the wilderness where they find bitter water at Marah; God sweetens it and promises to be their healer.

Water flows from under the temple threshold, growing from ankle-deep to a river that cannot be crossed. Wherever the river flows, everything lives — even the Dead Sea teems with fish. Trees along its banks bear fruit every month with leaves for healing. A vision of paradise restored.

Abraham moves to Gerar and again claims Sarah is his sister. King Abimelech takes Sarah, but God warns him in a dream. Abimelech restores Sarah to Abraham and rebukes him for the deception, and Abraham prays for Abimelech's household to be healed.

The beautiful conclusion: Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. God promises to heal their apostasy, love them freely, and be like dew to Israel. They will blossom like a lily, take root like Lebanon's cedars. Whoever is wise, let them understand these things.

An oracle against Egypt describing civil war, economic collapse, and spiritual confusion. Remarkably, it ends with Egypt, Assyria, and Israel worshiping God together — one of the most inclusive visions in the Old Testament.

A breathtaking vision of restoration — the desert blooms, the blind see, the lame leap, and a highway of holiness leads the redeemed home to Zion with everlasting joy. One of Isaiah's most beautiful chapters of hope.

Hezekiah falls mortally ill and God adds fifteen years to his life after his tearful prayer. Hezekiah writes a psalm of thanksgiving, reflecting on his brush with death and God's faithfulness in restoring him.

The climactic Suffering Servant passage: He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows. He bore our griefs, was pierced for our transgressions, and by His wounds we are healed. He was led like a lamb to slaughter. The most detailed messianic prophecy in the Old Testament.

The righteous perish unnoticed while the wicked practice idolatry. Yet God lives in a high and holy place AND with the contrite and lowly in spirit. He promises to heal, guide, and create praise on the lips of mourners. But again — no peace for the wicked.

James warns the rich about coming judgment and calls for patient endurance, using Job and the prophets as examples. He encourages the sick to call for elders to pray over them. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. He closes urging believers to turn back anyone who wanders from the truth.

The Book of Consolation begins: God will restore Israel and Judah from captivity. Though discipline was necessary, God will heal their wounds. A new David-like leader will arise, and God's fierce anger will not return until He has accomplished His purposes.

God tells Jeremiah to call to Him and He will answer, showing great and mighty things. The Branch of righteousness from David is reaffirmed. God's covenant with day and night is compared to His unbreakable covenant with David's line and the Levitical priests.

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, offering her living water that becomes a spring of eternal life. She becomes an evangelist to her entire village. Jesus also heals an official's son from a distance, demonstrating that faith transcends physical proximity.

Jesus heals a man who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. The religious leaders persecute Him, and Jesus makes stunning claims about His relationship with the Father, declaring that the Son gives life to whom He wills.

Jesus heals a man born blind, demonstrating that He is the light of the world. The Pharisees investigate and expel the man for testifying about Jesus. The healed man's growing faith contrasts with the willful blindness of the religious leaders.

Eliphaz continues his counsel, urging Job to accept God's discipline as a blessing. He describes God's power to humble the proud and exalt the lowly, assuring Job that restoration follows repentance.

Elihu argues that God speaks through dreams and suffering to turn people from destruction. He describes a mediating angel who finds a ransom for the sufferer, offering a more nuanced view than the three friends.

Detailed instructions help priests diagnose various skin diseases and determine ceremonial uncleanness. Symptoms like swelling, rashes, and discolouration are evaluated through quarantine periods. Contaminated garments must also be inspected and may need to be destroyed. The affected person lives outside the camp crying unclean.

The cleansing ritual for someone healed of a skin disease involves two birds (one killed, one released), cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop, washing, shaving, and sacrifices over eight days. Similar procedures address contamination in houses, involving inspection, quarantine, and possible demolition.

Laws address bodily discharges that cause ceremonial uncleanness for both men and women, including chronic discharges, seminal emissions, and menstruation. Detailed purification procedures are prescribed, including washing, waiting periods, and offerings. These laws maintained the purity of the camp where God dwelt.

Jesus is tempted in the wilderness for forty days. He reads from Isaiah in the Nazareth synagogue, declaring the Scripture fulfilled, but is rejected and nearly thrown off a cliff. He demonstrates His authority by casting out demons and healing the sick throughout Galilee.

Jesus calls His first disciples after a miraculous catch of fish, telling Simon Peter he will now catch people. He cleanses a leper, heals a paralytic lowered through the roof, and calls Levi the tax collector. He teaches that new wine must go into new wineskins.

Jesus appoints the twelve apostles and delivers the Sermon on the Plain, including blessings and woes. He teaches radical love for enemies, the Golden Rule—do to others as you would have them do to you—and warns against judging others while ignoring your own flaws.

Jesus heals the centurion's servant, commending his extraordinary faith. He raises the widow's son at Nain from the dead. John the Baptist sends disciples to ask if Jesus is the one, and Jesus commends John. A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet, and He declares her sins forgiven because she loved much.

Jesus teaches the parable of the sower and calms a storm. He delivers a demon-possessed man at the Gerasenes, heals a woman with an issue of blood, and raises Jairus' daughter from death. Women including Mary Magdalene support His ministry.

Jesus sends out the Twelve, feeds five thousand, and Peter confesses Him as the Christ. The Transfiguration reveals His glory before Peter, James, and John. Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, teaching that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves daily.

Jesus calls for repentance, telling the parable of the barren fig tree given one more chance. He heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath and teaches about the narrow door. He laments over Jerusalem, longing to gather her children under His wings.

Jesus heals on the Sabbath at a Pharisee's house and teaches about humility, urging guests to take the lowest seat. He tells the parable of the great banquet where those originally invited refuse to come. He counts the cost of discipleship.

Jesus teaches about forgiveness, faith the size of a mustard seed, and gratitude—only one of ten healed lepers returns to thank Him. He teaches about the coming of the kingdom, warning that it will arrive suddenly and that people must not look back.

Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to encourage continual prayer and the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector to warn against self-righteous prayer. He blesses children, encounters the rich ruler, and heals a blind beggar near Jericho.

The day is coming, burning like a furnace — but for those who fear God's name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. God will send Elijah the prophet before the great day, who will turn fathers' hearts to children. The Old Testament closes looking forward to the Messiah's forerunner.

Jesus is led into the wilderness where He is tempted three times by the devil, overcoming each temptation with Scripture. He begins His public ministry in Galilee, calling His first disciples and healing throughout the region.

Jesus demonstrates His authority through a series of miracles: cleansing a leper, healing the centurion's servant, calming a storm, and casting out demons. He reveals the cost of discipleship, showing that following Him requires total commitment.

Jesus heals a paralytic, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins. He calls Matthew the tax collector, dines with sinners, and performs further healings including raising a girl from death. He expresses compassion for crowds who are like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus commissions the twelve apostles, giving them authority over unclean spirits and diseases. He sends them out with mission instructions, warning of persecution but encouraging them not to fear. He teaches that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.

Herod executes John the Baptist. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, then walks on water. Peter steps out in faith but begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus, who immediately reaches out to save him.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees about elevating human tradition above God's commands. He teaches that what defiles a person comes from the heart, not from external ritual. He heals the Canaanite woman's daughter and feeds four thousand.

Jesus is transfigured on a mountain before Peter, James, and John, His face shining like the sun and His clothes becoming brilliant white. Moses and Elijah appear, and the Father speaks from a cloud. Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy and teaches about faith as small as a mustard seed.

Mark opens with John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus' baptism, and His temptation in the wilderness. Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, calling His first disciples and demonstrating authority over sickness and demons with rapid-fire miracles.

Jesus heals a paralytic lowered through a roof, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins. He calls Levi the tax collector, defends eating with sinners, and asserts His lordship over the Sabbath. He teaches that new wine requires new wineskins.

Jesus heals on the Sabbath and appoints the twelve apostles. The religious leaders accuse Him of being possessed by Beelzebul, and He warns about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. He redefines family as those who do God's will.

Jesus casts out a legion of demons into pigs, heals a woman who touched His garment after twelve years of bleeding, and raises Jairus' daughter from death. Each miracle demonstrates His authority over the spiritual, physical, and mortal realms.

Jesus is rejected in His hometown of Nazareth. He sends the Twelve out in pairs and John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, then walks on water to reach His disciples' boat in a storm.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their tradition-based religion, declaring all foods clean and teaching that defilement comes from within the heart. He heals a Syrophoenician woman's daughter and a deaf man, showing His compassion crosses all boundaries.

After feeding four thousand, Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, but Jesus begins revealing His coming suffering and death. He teaches that following Him means denying yourself and taking up your cross.

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, and heals a boy with an unclean spirit that the disciples could not cast out. He teaches about servanthood, warning that whoever wants to be first must be last and servant of all.

Miriam and Aaron criticise Moses for his Cushite wife and question whether God speaks only through Moses. God rebukes them, declaring Moses uniquely faithful and that He speaks with Moses face to face. Miriam is struck with a skin disease for seven days, and the camp waits for her restoration.

Israel defeats the Canaanite king of Arad. When the people grumble again, God sends venomous snakes that kill many. Moses makes a bronze serpent and sets it on a pole; anyone bitten who looks at it lives. Israel then conquers the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, taking their territories east of the Jordan.

A penitential psalm of deep distress. David cries out for mercy, exhausted by grief and illness. He asks how long his suffering will last and pleads with God to save him because of unfailing love.

A psalm of thanksgiving for healing. David was brought up from the grave and praises God for turning his mourning into dancing. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.