Mark 7

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

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.

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.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

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.

What does Mark 7:34 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 7:34 is part of an episode where Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment.

In this moment, Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd, puts his fingers into the man's ears, and after spitting, touches the man's tongue.

Then he looks up to heaven, sighs, and says "Ephphatha," which is an Aramaic term meaning "be opened." The verse captures not just a miraculous healing, but also a deep expression of compassion and divine intervention.

The sigh could be interpreted as an expression of Jesus's empathy for the man's suffering, or it may reflect a broader sorrow for the fallen state of the world that results in such afflictions.

The command "Ephphatha" symbolizes not only the physical healing of the man's ears and tongue but also could signify an opening for spiritual healing and understanding.

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Historical Context

Mark 7:34 is set within the wider context of Jesus's ministry in the region of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire with a predominantly Gentile (non-Jewish) population.

This healing miracle is significant because it shows Jesus ministering to a Gentile, illustrating that his message and healing were for all of humanity, not limited to the Jewish people.

During this period, physical ailments were often seen as a sign of spiritual malaise or divine punishment, and those with disabilities could be marginalized in society.

The healing actions of Jesus challenged these views and showed a God who was compassionate and directly involved in the wellbeing of individuals.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the healing of the deaf man with a speech impediment is seen as a sign of the messianic age foretold by the prophets, where the eyes of the blind would be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped (Isaiah 35:5).

This miracle served as a demonstration of Jesus's divinity and his fulfillment of prophecy.

Different theological traditions might emphasize various aspects of this event.

For example, Catholic theology might highlight the sacramental nature of Jesus's actions that involved physical elements (touch and saliva).

Protestant interpretations might focus on the faith of the people who brought the man to Jesus and Jesus's power to heal.

Practical Applications

The practical implications of this verse encourage believers to act with compassion towards those who are marginalized. It teaches the importance of reaching out to help others in need, and it can inspire faith in the transformative power of divine intervention.

Another application is the understanding that communication, symbolized by the opening of ears and loosening of the tongue, is essential in both physical and spiritual relationships. Believers may be called to "open" themselves to the word of God and the needs of their communities.

Cross-References

Isaiah 35:5 - "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped."
Mark 7:32-37 - The complete narrative of the healing of the deaf and mute man.
Matthew 11:5 - "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

Language Study

"Ephphatha" (Ἐφφαθά) is a key term in this passage.

It is Aramaic in origin and means "be opened." The use of Aramaic, rather than Greek or Hebrew, reflects the everyday language spoken by Jews in Palestine at the time.

The detailed inclusion of this Aramaic word in the Greek text of Mark emphasizes the importance of the spoken word in Jesus's miracles.

The "sigh" (στενάζω, stenazó) is also significant, as it can denote a range of deep emotional responses, from grief to an expression of yearning or the burden of spiritual labor.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Miracle healings are not unique to Christian scriptures.

Many ancient cultures have myths where gods or heroes heal the sick or disabled, such as Asclepius in Greek mythology, who was revered as a god of medicine.

In some Jewish texts, the use of saliva for healing is noted, and it could be seen as a natural remedy.

However, in the context of Jesus's healings, it served as a focal point for divine power rather than a medical treatment per se.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the healing described in Mark 7:34 is miraculous and cannot be explained by natural phenomena or medical science. The instantaneous nature of the healing defies the gradual processes typical of natural recoveries or therapeutic interventions.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this passage.

Some focus on the ritualistic aspects of the healing, while others emphasize its symbolic meanings, such as the opening up of the Gentile world to Jesus's ministry.

Commentators like William Lane and R. T. France have noted the importance of Jesus's personal touch and the establishment of a compassionate connection. The mention of looking up to heaven is often seen as an acknowledgment of the power of God working through Jesus.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 7:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?