Mark 7:31-35 - Healing a Deaf Man

Mark 7:31-35
31 Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis. 32 They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him. 33 Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.

Message: Healing a Deaf Man

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface: Jesus speaks to all the people, going beyond just the scribes, and declares clearly that when speaking of being clean, the key is what comes out of a person, not what is taken in. Jesus goes to the region of Tyre and Sidon in an attempt to get away from ministry in Galilee for a time, perhaps in hopes of getting away from the crowds. But news of him is there as well and a woman appears to him requesting that an unclean spirit (demon) be removed from her daughter. Once again here, the emphasis seems to be on the disciples and teaching about the faith he is looking for in people.

As I continue to walk through these texts in the book of Mark, I wanting to see the way Jesus ministered to people, what was he looking for in followers, what is he asking of his disciples and what is he communicating about himself. And then as I discover those truths, I want them to help define my world today. It seems that throughout my life the idea of receiving Jesus into your heart and then making this commitment in your life to live a different life, one that is glorifying God has always been the key or the crux of what life in Jesus is all about. To the point, that unless we see people have made this kind of decision in their life then they aren't saved. Since early nineties, I see many churches getting away from this or at least the churches I've been a part of. The church I'm attending right now doesn't do this. There is no altar call nor is there even any mention of it or talking to a pastor. There is talk of getting baptized. There is talk of missions and working alongside other churches, but not a one time decision. Granted, each church there is a confession time and then the message of grace.

I live in New Mexico which has a very strong Roman Catholic background. I tend to watch the faiths of those that are Catholic. In many ways I often don't see a life that is that much different from anyone else. Yet, people say they believe in God. They might attend church but generally it seems to be more of a family thing, perhaps even wanting to please grandparents who are very much intertwined with the church. I'm not even sure they understand sin these days. In general, I see society being trained much more by the culture than the Word of God. But there is still this cord of faith for many and the idea that there is a God and we need him in our life. And I don't know what is going on inside of them, I only see their words, which also includes cursing, going to the same movies as everyone else, only going to church when they feel like it and just sort of walking through life with God present, but maybe not living and active. I don't know. That's what I see.

And so as I stare at these texts, speaking of Jesus, I wonder what is the message of Jesus. Mark started us off in the first chapter with what I see as a message and mission: The time is fulfilled; and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel of God. So, evidently there is a need to repent or turn from sin and then there is this quest to believe in the gospel of God or the good news. Yet, what is not yet apparent is what this Gospel is. Obviously, the texts are not comprehensive in that they don't have all of Jesus' conversations, only simple highlights. But, it remains of interest to me. Lately, it seems that Jesus is focus on teaching the disciples. He continues to heal people as they continue to come to them but through that process are lessons of faith and trusting in God's power.

The journey for Jesus continues. He heads toward the region of Decapolis, probably logging another 120 miles. That journey would take him probably a couple of weeks. So there is much that must have gone on which we do not know about. The healing of the deaf man is straight forward, although it is also prophesied in Isaiah 35:5 - And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.  Jesus was very detailed in the way he healed this man. Others had been healed by a word, but Jesus gave this man feeling so he could feel his work possibly. Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.

Summary - Jesus continues his journey, arriving in the region of Decapolis, and this time the healing of a deaf man is mentioned, fulfilling a prophecy from Isaiah 35:5. Jesus touches the man placing his fingers into his ear and touches his tongue giving him speech. 


Promise: We can always trust Him even when He does things that we do not understand.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me your life. Continue to help me to understand the way you work and the central message of the Gospel of God. Thank you for giving me life.