By what power did Jesus perform miracles?
Although Jesus was both fully divine and completely human while He was on Earth, we see that He chose not to use His divine power to work miracles during His ministry years. According to Philippians 2:5–11, Jesus was equal with God, but chose to come here in the “likeness of men.”
This concept is further explained this way: “For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.” Hebrews 2:16 (KJV). Jesus chose to come to earth in the nature of man rather than in His divine nature.
So how was He able to perform those miracles during His ministry? Multiple Bible texts indicate that He relied on His Father to work those miracles through Him. Jesus often said He was doing the Father’s will, and that He was able to do nothing of Himself. Some examples of this can be found in the following verses (emphasis supplied throughout):
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.’” John 8:28
“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…. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.’” John 5:19, 30
“And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Matthew 12:27–28
“But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20
“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
Jesus was able to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and perform many other miracles by being in such close communion with His Father that He could be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples this same Holy Spirit power:
“ 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. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:10–13
This Holy Spirit power was promised to the disciples for the work of taking the gospel to all the world:
“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; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18–20