MARK 07:31-37
THE HEALING OF A DEAF MAN
Text – Mark 7:31–37
31 Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.
32 And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.
33 He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue;
34 then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”).
35 And [immediately] the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.
36 He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.
37 They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Historical and Jewish Context
Jesus’ journey through the Decapolis—a region of ten Hellenistic cities east of the Jordan—shows His mission extending into predominantly Gentile territory. The man brought to Jesus was both deaf and unable to speak clearly, conditions often associated in Jewish thought with spiritual as well as physical affliction. In the ancient world, such disabilities often led to social isolation, as communication was severely limited.
The manner of healing is deeply personal: Jesus takes the man aside privately, uses physical gestures (touching ears and tongue), and prays to the Father before uttering the Aramaic word “Ephphatha”, meaning “Be opened.” This intimate encounter reflects both the Incarnate Word’s humanity and His divine authority. His sigh or groan expresses compassion and perhaps sorrow over the brokenness of creation. The reaction of the crowd—“He has done all things well”—echoes Genesis 1:31, where God saw all that He had made and found it very good, signifying the restoration of creation through Christ.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this miracle signifies the restoration of spiritual hearing and speech—symbolizing faith and proclamation. Deafness represents the inability to hear God’s Word; muteness, the inability to profess faith. When Jesus says “Ephphatha”, He not only heals physical senses but also opens the heart to receive divine revelation. The Church sees in this miracle a foreshadowing of the Sacrament of Baptism, where the priest touches the ears and mouth of the baptized and says, “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak. May He soon touch your ears to receive His word and your mouth to proclaim His faith.”
Thus, every believer is called to openness—to listen to God’s Word and to speak it boldly. The personal nature of this healing reflects the tenderness of Christ’s ministry: He meets each soul individually, touching both body and spirit. The command to silence underscores the mystery of the “Messianic Secret” in Mark—Jesus reveals Himself gradually, leading people from amazement to true faith.
Parallels in Scripture
Isaiah 35:5–6 – “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf cleared… the mute will sing for joy.”
Psalm 40:6 – “You opened my ears; I do Your will.”
Matthew 11:5 – “The deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
Luke 1:64 – Zechariah’s mouth is opened to praise God.
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Key Terms
Ephphatha: Aramaic for “Be opened,” expressing both physical and spiritual liberation.
Decapolis: A Gentile region, highlighting Jesus’ universal mission.
Groaned: Sign of compassion and prayerful intercession with the Father.
Speech impediment: Symbol of the inability to proclaim God’s truth.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed in the liturgy to emphasize Christ’s compassion and the power of His Word to heal and restore. The “Ephphatha” rite, preserved in the Baptismal liturgy, reminds the faithful that the Christian life begins with openness to God’s Word and witness to His truth. The miracle also prefigures the mission of the Church—to bring healing, communication, and faith to a world that often remains deaf to God’s voice.
Conclusion
The healing of the deaf and mute man demonstrates Christ’s divine compassion and His power to restore both body and soul. Jesus opens ears to faith and loosens tongues to praise. His personal touch reveals a God who meets humanity not from afar but in intimate mercy. The proclamation “He has done all things well” proclaims the renewal of creation through the Redeemer’s saving work.
Reflection
Do I allow Christ to open my ears to His Word and my mouth to proclaim His truth? The Lord invites me to listen more deeply and to speak with faith and love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You opened the ears of the deaf and loosened the tongue of the mute. Touch my heart that I may hear Your voice clearly and speak Your praise boldly. Open my life to Your Word and make me a witness of Your compassion and truth. Amen.