Marcos 7

Jesus heals a deaf mute

31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee by way of the Decapolis region.*He chose a round about way where He would not be known by sight, to avoid attention (presumably). 32 Then they brought to Him a deaf man with thick speech*We learn to speak by imitating what we hear, so a deaf person will not speak correctly, even if there is nothing wrong with the tongue. In this case, the following verses indicate that there was also a problem with the tongue. If the man had never learned to speak correctly, this would be a further miracle. and begged Him to place His hand on him. 33 After taking him aside, away from the crowd, He put His fingers in his ears; He also spat and touched his tongue.*The Lord seems to have varied His procedure on purpose: He could heal ears without using His fingers, and could heal tongues without spittle. 34 Then looking up to heaven He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" 35 Immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he began to speak clearly. 36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He would command them, so much the more they would proclaim it.*The news was so good they just could not contain it. 37 People were astonished beyond measure, saying: "He has done everything well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."