Mark 7:31-37, Jesus Heals a Deaf Man

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. [Jesus has returned to the southeast shore where there was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles.] 32 And they [who—friends?] brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. [This is the first time we see Jesus use physical means in healing.] 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha, [Aramaic, suggesting the man is likely Jewish]” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [Who had the greater faith—the friends, the man, Jesus?] 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. [He did not want to be known simply as a miracle-worker.] But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. [Similar to the affirmative words in Genesis: “It was good.”] He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” [In Isaiah 35:5-6 we read: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” Here we see the New Testament doctrine of the redemption of the body foretold in the Old Testament and now being fulfilled in the work of Jesus.]