Introduction
Another category of supernatural events in the Gospels involves moments when Jesus demonstrated knowledge beyond normal human understanding. In these passages, Jesus reveals hidden details about people’s lives, speaks accurately about future events, and declares things that could only be known through divine insight.
Sometimes this knowledge revealed the private circumstances of individuals. At other times, it concerned events that would unfold in the days ahead—His own death, the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and the destruction of Jerusalem.
In several cases, these moments also included visible demonstrations of divine authority. Those who encountered Jesus quickly realized that He knew things no ordinary person could know.
These passages remind us that the ministry of Jesus was not limited to visible miracles. His words themselves carried supernatural authority, revealing truths about the present and the future.
Jesus Reveals Hidden Knowledge
Jesus Knows Nathanael
John 1:47–51 (KJV)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
The Samaritan Woman Revealed
John 4:16–19 (KJV)
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband.
Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Jesus Predicts Future Events
Jesus Predicts His Death
Matthew 16:21 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Jesus Predicts His Death Again
Matthew 17:22–23 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 9:30–32; Luke 9:43–45
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.
And they were exceeding sorry.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Matthew 26:31–35 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 14:27–31; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.
Jesus Predicts the Betrayal of Judas
John 13:21–26 (KJV)
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.
And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
The Power of His Words
Soldiers Fall Backward When Jesus Speaks
John 18:4–9 (KJV)
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus saith unto them, I am he.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Prophecy of Future Events
Jesus Predicts Future Events
Matthew 24:1–51 (KJV)
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
(The remainder of the chapter continues with parables and warnings about readiness for His coming.)
Prophecy of the Future
Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Return of the Son of Man
Luke 21:5–36 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 24:1–51; Mark 13:1–37
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jesus Again Predicts Peter’s Denial
Peter’s Denial Foretold
Luke 22:31–34 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 26:31–35; Mark 14:27–31; John 13:36–38
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Closing Reflection
The passages in this article reveal another dimension of the supernatural ministry of Jesus. His miracles were not limited to visible signs and wonders. His words themselves carried divine authority.
Again and again, Jesus demonstrated knowledge that no ordinary person could possess. He knew the private details of a stranger’s life. He predicted the betrayal of one disciple and the denial of another. He foretold His own death and resurrection long before those events occurred.
In the Olivet discourse, Jesus spoke of events that would unfold far beyond His earthly ministry: wars, deception, tribulation, and the future return of the Son of Man in glory.
These moments remind us that Jesus was not merely responding to events as they happened. He spoke with authority over the future itself. The same voice that calmed storms and raised the dead also declared what was yet to come.
In the next article, we will examine another important category in the Gospels: the teachings of Jesus about supernatural authority and the power given to His followers.
Next in the series:
Teachings About Supernatural Authority (KJV)
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