Mark 7:31-37 (NKJV) Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute
(Matt. 15:29–31)
31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
V31 “Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.” Decapolis (Bridge Bible Dictionary): “The Romans gave the name Decapolis (meaning ‘ten cities’) to an extensive region situated largely south and east of the Sea of Galilee. Its inhabitants were mainly Gentiles.” It is located in modern-day Western Jordan.
V32 “Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.” This man was both deaf with an impediment in his speech. The Greek word for impediment is (G3424) μογιλάλος mogilálos, which means speaking with difficulty, stammering, not clear with difficulty understanding it. Such was this man. His friends, in compassion, brought him to Jesus for healing. They begged for his deliverance as they were very zealous that he be healed. Compassion is an important character trait. Compassion is a character trait of God (Psalm 86:15 and Mark 6:34) and should be ours as well (Colossians 3:12).
V33 “And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.” What does Jesus heal in different ways? It is not mentioned, but we know 1) He can and does use different methods and 2) it is tailored to the specific person and their need.
V34 “Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Jesus signed because death, sickness, birth defects, accidents, etc., were not in God’s plan, but exist because of sin. It is punishment. In Romans 8:23, we learn that all creation groans waiting for Jesus’s reign and society transformed. Note Jesus says one word and all is healed. What glorious power.
V35 “Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.” Note the word “immediately.” Hearing and speech were healed, and they were better than anyone could have imagined.
V36 “Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.” It would have been hard to be quiet because of the joy of healing. Jesus wanted no glory or false accusations.
V37 “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Their testimony is “He has done all things well.” There is no good thing that is impossible for God. See Jeremiah 32:17, Mark 10:27, and Ephesians 3:20.
We learn:
- Jesus’s compassion.
- Jesus’s ability.
- The joy of God’s blessings.
Questions:
- Are we compassionate?
- Do we help others if it is something we can do?