Did Jesus thank the Father before every miracle?

The question of whether Jesus thanked the Father before every miracle invites a detailed exploration of the New Testament accounts. In examining the gospel narratives, we find that while Jesus did often express gratitude to the Father, it was not a prerequisite or consistent action before every miracle He performed. This study will analyze specific instances where Jesus expressed thanks and contrast them with instances where He did not, using the New King James Version (NKJV) for references.

Instances of Jesus Thanking the Father

1. The Feeding of the 5,000

One of the most notable instances where Jesus gives thanks before performing a miracle is the feeding of the 5,000. In John 6:11, we read:

“And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.”

This account clearly shows Jesus giving thanks before multiplying the loaves and fish to feed the multitude.

2. The Raising of Lazarus

Another significant example is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In John 11:41-42, Jesus offers a prayer of thanks before performing the miracle:

“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.'”

Here, Jesus explicitly thanks the Father, emphasizing the purpose of the miracle as a demonstration of divine authority and to bolster the faith of the onlookers.

3. The Last Supper

At the Last Supper, before instituting the practice of Communion, Jesus again gives thanks. In Matthew 26:26-27, we read:

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.'”

Though not a miracle in the conventional sense, this act of giving thanks precedes a significant theological moment where Jesus establishes the New Covenant.

Instances Without Explicit Thanks

While these instances highlight Jesus giving thanks, many miracles recorded in the Gospels do not mention Jesus offering thanks before performing them. Here are a few examples:

1. Healing the Blind Man

In John 9:1-7, Jesus heals a man born blind. There is no mention of Jesus giving thanks before performing this miracle. Instead, He states the purpose of the man’s blindness:

“Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.'” (John 9:3)

Then Jesus proceeds to heal the man by making mud with His saliva and anointing the man’s eyes, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.

2. Calming the Storm

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calms a storm while on a boat with His disciples. The account focuses on Jesus’ rebuke of the wind and waves rather than a prayer of thanks:

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

There is no indication that Jesus thanked the Father before performing this miracle.

3. Casting Out Demons

Numerous accounts of Jesus casting out demons also lack any mention of a preceding thanksgiving prayer. For example, in Mark 1:23-27, Jesus casts out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue. The narrative describes Jesus’ command to the demon but does not include any thanksgiving:

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.” (Mark 1:25-26)

Theological Considerations

While there are some miracles where Jesus is recorded to give thanks to the Father, there are many other miracles where the gospel authors do not record Jesus giving thanks (John 9:1-7, John 5:2-9, Matthew 9:23-25, Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 15:30, Luke 17:12-19). While it might not have been recorded that Jesus gave thanks to the Father for a miracle, it may be that He did thank the Father at the time and it was simply not recorded by the gospel author.

When Jesus fed the four thousand with seven loaves and a few small fishes, it doesn’t record that Jesus gave thanks for the food that was miraculously multiplied (Matthew 15: 34-38), however it was customary that Jesus gave thanks before a meal (Luke 22:19).

The Bible doesn’t record every detail. Simply because it is not recorded that Jesus said “thank you” for a miracle it is still very possible that He did give thanks. Jesus was one who spent much time in prayer privately (Mark 1:35) and it is very likely that Jesus thanked His Father during those times.

The Bible authors did not add every detail to every event because they wanted to keep the focus on specific points of that event. They wrote as they were led by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:21). The Spirit inspired them to relate the important details in order for us to learn the lessons in the stories (Deuteronomy 29:29).

There are many things that the Savior did that are not mentioned in the Bible and we wont’ know until we go to heaven. John recorded, “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, NKJV)

The selective recording of Jesus’ prayers of thanks suggests that while gratitude was an important aspect of His relationship with the Father, it was not a formulaic requirement for His miracles. Instead, the instances where Jesus did give thanks often served a larger purpose, highlighting the relationship between the Father and the Son and emphasizing the divine origin of His authority.

1. Demonstration of Divine Relationship

In the instance of raising Lazarus, Jesus’ prayer serves to reveal His intimate relationship with the Father and to demonstrate to the bystanders that His actions are sanctioned by God. This prayer underscores the unity of purpose and power between the Father and the Son.

2. Teaching Moments

When Jesus gave thanks before the feeding miracles, it served as a teaching moment for His disciples and the crowds. It highlighted the importance of gratitude and reliance on God’s provision, even in situations of apparent scarcity.

3. The Last Supper’s Significance

The act of giving thanks at the Last Supper holds profound theological significance. It not only establishes the practice of Communion but also exemplifies the spirit of thanksgiving that should accompany the remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Jesus did express gratitude to the Father on several notable occasions before performing miracles, it is not recorded that He did so before every miracle. The instances where Jesus gave thanks were purposeful, often serving to reveal deeper spiritual truths and to affirm His divine mission. The New Testament presents a balanced view, showing that while gratitude to the Father was a significant aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry, His miracles were primarily acts of compassion and demonstrations of divine authority. By examining these accounts, we gain a richer understanding of the role of thanksgiving in Jesus’ miracles and the broader theological implications of His actions.

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team