Healing a Deaf and Dumb Man

Mark 7:31-37

“And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.  And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.” (Mark 7:31-32)

Returning from the area around Tyre and Sidon Jesu went to the area around the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee.    When he arrived a man was brought to him who was deaf, and unable to talk.  The two conditions usually go together in those who were deaf from birth, because they are unable to hear and as a result does not develop the muscles to control their speech. 

“And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.” (Mark 7:33-34)

Jesus took the man aside privately, putting his fingers into his ears, and touching his tongue, then commanding they be opened. 

“And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.” (Mark 7:35)

Though he had never learned the language or practiced forming the sounds, the man was instantly able to speak clearly and understood what was said.  If modern doctors were to be able to heal a person’s hearing, it would still take him months to learn the language and learn to form the words.  This man was miraculously able to talk immediately. 

“And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” (Mark 7:36-37)

Jesus told the people not to tell how he had healed the man, but like any secret, there wasn’t much pleasure in knowing it if no one knows you know.  The more he told them not to tell, the harder they found to keep it secret.  The people were impressed , saying Jesus had done the job well, because not only had enabled the man to hear and control his words, he had also given him the ability to talk so that they didn’t have to wait for him to learn how.  The job was complete.

Looking at the other miracles, we find the same thing.  The healing was complete instantly.  There was no prolonged recovery period or physical therapy to regain muscle strength or learn how to act.  The same thing is true today.  When Jesus saves a person, he has all the power of God in him and is freed from the power of sin.  It no longer controls him.  Unfortunately, because no one has told them it is true, many continue to practice their old sins from force of habit, never reckoning themselves dead to it as Romans 6:11 instructs.  As a result many Christians struggle with a certain sin for years.