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Answer
Magic and miracles may be perceived similarly by some individuals, but there exists a significant distinction between the two concepts. It is accurate to attribute miracles to Jesus, but it would be incorrect to label His works as magic. Fundamentally, magic and miracles differ in their origins: magic originates from either humans or demons, whereas miracles are supernatural acts of God.
There are two distinct forms of “magic,” and it is important to differentiate between them. Performers who utilize sleight of hand and illusions in their acts are commonly referred to as “magicians,” although they are more accurately described as illusionists, a term preferred by most. The audience of an illusionist does not perceive what they witness as “real” magic; they recognize it as a deception and take pleasure in the mystery of not being able to discern the method behind the illusion. The other form of magic is what some might classify as “authentic” magic; it relies on occult, demonic forces. The Bible mentions “lying wonders” in 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The arrival of the Antichrist “will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will utilize various manifestations of power through signs and wonders that propagate falsehood.” This form of magic, occasionally spelled as magick to differentiate it from sleight of hand, is linked to divination, conjuring, and sorcery, and is condemned in Scripture (see Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Naturally, the Antichrist will assert that his power is derived from God, but that is also a falsehood, as indicated in Revelation 13:2.
A significant disparity between magic and miracles is that magic taps into power that does not originate directly from God, while miracles are manifestations of God’s power intervening in the world. Magic represents an effort to bypass God in the pursuit of knowledge or power. The city of Ephesus became a battleground between magic and miracles. The pagan community of Ephesus was deeply immersed in idolatry and practices that involved.
Believers in Ephesus witnessed the power of God through the apostle Paul when he performed extraordinary miracles: “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul” «And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: », (Acts 19:11). Some exorcists, known as the seven sons of Sceva, tried to imitate Paul’s miracles but failed miserably and publicly (verses 13–16). When many Ephesians accepted the gospel preached by Paul and Silas, they renounced their involvement in witchcraft by burning their books of magic: “A number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver” «Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. », (Acts 19:19, ESV). This event in Ephesus highlighted the distinction between God’s miracles and the deceptive practices of sorcery.
Another contrast between miracles and magic is that magic does not bring glory to God, unlike miracles as seen in Mark 2:12. An illustration of a magician seeking self-glory is seen in Samaria. “A man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery” (Acts 8:9-11). Simon arrogantly claimed greatness and adopted a blasphemous title. Although Simon could astonish the crowds with his magic, it was not the power of God. Simon’s performances were merely illusions, not genuine miracles empowered by God.
Jesus’ miracles were all about Himself and enriching His own life. Later, Simon the magician witnesses a true miracle performed by Peter and John, and he offers to purchase from them the “secret” to their trick (verses 18–19). Peter immediately rebukes Simon; in Simon’s sinful heart, he had equated the power of the Holy Spirit with his own sorcery (verses 20–23).
Another distinction between magic and miracles is that magic involves manipulation and opposition to the truth, while miracles reveal the truth. The magician seeks to manipulate people for personal gain. The miracle worker simply displays the power and glory of God.
The city of Paphos on the island of Cyprus was another battleground between the miraculous and the magical. As Paul and Barnabas (along with Mark) were preaching in that city, they were opposed by “a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus” (Acts 13:6-7). This sorcerer, also known as Elymas, had infiltrated the political establishment of Cyprus. When the proconsul started to heed the missionaries’ message, Elymas “tried to turn the proconsul from the faith” (verse 8). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronted Elymas directly: “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” (verse 10). Paul then performed a miracle—striking Elymas blind—demonstrating that the miracle-working power of God surpasses the magic of the devil (verse 11). As a result, the proconsul embraced the gospel and was saved (verse 12).
Another insightful comparison of miracles and magic is found in the book of Exodus. The practitioners of magic in Egypt are referred to as “sorcerers” and “magicians” «Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. »
, (Exodus 7:11,22) «And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. », (Exodus 7:11,22); however, Moses and Aaron are never identified by those terms. The miracles that God performed through Moses were genuine, while the illusions of Pharaoh’s magicians were intended to deceive and harden the king’s heart. In an early encounter at Pharaoh’s court, “Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs” (Exodus 7:10-12). The fact that Aaron’s snake consumed the Egyptian snakes demonstrates that God’s power surpasses whatever power the pagan magicians were tapping into. Subsequently, these same Egyptian sorcerers replicated the transformation of water into blood «And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. », (Exodus 7:22) and the proliferation of frogs «And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. », (Exodus 8:7). Nevertheless, the sorcerers were unable to replicate the other plagues. When confronted with the gnats, the magicians’ abilities fell short. They admitted to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” «Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was haHardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. », (Exodus 8:19).
Miracles and magic sometimes appear similar, but their purposes differ. Magic and illusion divert the eye from reality, while miracles direct the eye to reality. Miracles unveil; magic conceals. Miracles demonstrate creative power; magic manipulates existing elements. Miracles are a divine gift; magic is a learned craft. Miracles do not exalt men; magic seeks recognition and glory for the magician.
Jesus was not a magician. He was the Son of God, renowned for His numerous miracles «And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? », (John 7:31). Jesus informed His adversaries, “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:37-38). Jesus’ miracles (or “signs,” as John referred to them) serve as evidence of His identity.
