Mark 7:33

KJV

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he took {G618} him {G846} aside {G2596}{G2398} from {G575} the multitude {G3793}, and put {G906} his {G846} fingers {G1147} into {G1519} his {G846} ears {G3775}, and {G2532} he spit {G4429}, and touched {G680} his {G846} tongue {G1100};

Complete Jewish Bible

Taking him off alone, away from the crowd, Yeshua put his fingers into the man's ears, spat, and touched his tongue;

Berean Standard Bible

So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.

American Standard Version

And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:33 vividly portrays Jesus' deeply personal and intentional approach to healing a deaf man with a speech impediment. By taking the man away from the pressing crowd, Jesus initiates a series of intimate, tactile actions—inserting His fingers into the man's ears, spitting, and touching his tongue—each designed not as a magical ritual but as a compassionate, communicative, and divinely powerful prelude to restoring the man's senses and speech. This moment underscores Jesus' profound empathy and His sovereign authority over physical infirmity, demonstrating His unique method of ministering to individual needs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This healing narrative in [Mark 7:31-37](/mark/7-31-37 "Mark 7:31-37 - The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man") immediately follows Jesus' significant confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes regarding ceremonial defilement and true purity. In [Mark 7:1-23](/mark/7-1-23 "Mark 7:1-23 - Jesus Teaches About True Defilement"), Jesus challenges their external rituals, emphasizing that defilement comes from within the heart. He then travels to the Gentile regions of Tyre, Sidon, and the Decapolis ([Mark 7:24-31](/mark/7-24-31 "Mark 7:24-31 - Jesus Heals the Syrophoenician Woman's Daughter")), where He encounters this deaf man. The shift from a theological debate about inner purity to a physical healing in a Gentile area highlights Jesus' universal mission and His practical demonstration of God's kingdom breaking into the world, bringing wholeness to both Jew and Gentile, addressing both spiritual and physical brokenness. The private nature of this healing contrasts with the public discourse that preceded it, underscoring Jesus' focus on the individual.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Decapolis ("Ten Cities") was a region predominantly inhabited by Gentiles, reflecting Greek and Roman cultural influences rather than Jewish traditions. Jesus' presence and ministry in this area signify His outreach beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel, fulfilling prophecies of light to the Gentiles. In the ancient world, physical ailments like deafness and speech impediments were often seen as divine curses or manifestations of demonic influence, leading to social isolation. While ancient healing practices sometimes involved saliva or touch, Jesus' actions were distinct. His use of saliva was not a common medical remedy but a unique, symbolic act that communicated His divine power and personal engagement, especially to someone who could not hear verbal instructions. His actions were tailored to the man's specific disabilities, demonstrating a profound understanding and compassionate response.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:33 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Jesus' Compassion and Personal Ministry**. Unlike many public healings, Jesus takes the man "aside from the multitude," emphasizing His profound empathy and desire for an intimate, unhurried encounter with the individual's suffering, as seen in other personal encounters like the healing of the blind man in [Mark 8:22-26](/mark/8-22-26 "Mark 8:22-26 - The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida"). Secondly, the passage highlights **Jesus' Divine Authority and Power** over physical limitations. His touch and actions are not mere human efforts but conduits of divine power that restore what is broken. This is a recurring theme, demonstrating His messianic identity and His ability to bring about the new creation, where physical and spiritual defects are overcome. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Communication and Revelation**. For a man unable to hear or speak, Jesus' physical actions become a form of communication, preparing him for the miraculous restoration of his senses and voice, enabling him to hear the good news and declare the praise of God, echoing the prophetic vision of [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **aside (Greek, _ídios'_):** Pertaining to self; one's own; by implication, private or separate. This word emphasizes Jesus' intentional act of removing the man from the public gaze, creating an intimate and personal space for the healing. It highlights a private, individualized encounter, distinct from the usual public miracles, underscoring Jesus' deep care for the individual's dignity and comfort.
* **spit (Greek, _ptýō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to spit." In ancient contexts, saliva was sometimes associated with healing properties, but Jesus' use of it here is unique and not a common medical practice. Rather than a magical element, it serves as a tangible, sensory action for the deaf man, a non-verbal communication of intent and a physical conduit of divine power, demonstrating Jesus' direct engagement with the man's affliction.
* **touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** Reflexive of "to attach oneself to"; properly, to touch (in many implied relations). This word signifies a direct, physical contact. Jesus' touch is not merely incidental but deliberate, a powerful act of connection and transfer of divine healing energy. It directly addresses the man's affected areas—ears and tongue—underscoring the precision and personal nature of Jesus' miraculous intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took him aside from the multitude,"**: This initial action is highly significant. Jesus deliberately separates the man from the crowd, indicating a desire for a private, intimate encounter rather than a public spectacle. This act respects the man's vulnerability and perhaps his potential embarrassment, allowing Jesus to minister to him personally and directly, fostering a sense of trust and focused attention.
* **"and put his fingers into his ears,"**: Jesus' physical contact with the man's ears directly addresses his deafness. This tactile action serves as a clear, non-verbal communication to the man about the specific area of his affliction that Jesus intends to heal. It is a tangible demonstration of divine power being applied precisely where it is needed.
* **"and he spit, and touched his tongue;"**: The act of spitting and then touching the man's tongue addresses his speech impediment. While spitting might seem unusual, it was a physical, sensory action that, like the fingers in the ears, communicated Jesus' intent to the deaf man. The subsequent touch of the tongue directly targets the organ of speech, signifying Jesus' power to loosen what was bound and enable clear articulation. These actions are not rituals but extensions of Jesus' compassionate, divine authority.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Intimacy** is paramount, established by Jesus taking the man "aside from the multitude," creating a private space for a deeply personal encounter. This **Contrast** with Jesus' more public miracles highlights His individualized care. The physical actions—inserting fingers, spitting, touching—are rich in **Symbolism**, representing Jesus' direct engagement with the man's specific disabilities and serving as a non-verbal form of communication for the deaf man. They are an **Embodiment** of divine power made tangible, demonstrating that Jesus' authority is not abstract but capable of precise, physical restoration. The sequence of actions also builds **Anticipation**, leading to the climactic healing described in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:33 profoundly illustrates the incarnational nature of God's redemptive work. Jesus, God in the flesh, does not merely speak a word from a distance but physically engages with human suffering, demonstrating a profound empathy that transcends mere compassion. His actions—touching, spitting, and personal engagement—underscore the truth that God is not aloof from our brokenness but enters into it, bringing healing and restoration through direct, tangible means. This particular healing, addressing both hearing and speech, symbolizes the opening of spiritual ears to hear God's truth and the loosening of spiritual tongues to declare His praise. It points to the comprehensive nature of salvation, which encompasses not only spiritual renewal but also physical wholeness, reflecting God's desire for humanity's complete flourishing in body, mind, and spirit. It foreshadows the ultimate restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth, where all infirmities will be removed.

* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened"): "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame man shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert."
* [Matthew 9:27-31](/matthew/9-27-31 "Matthew 9:27-31 - Jesus Heals Two Blind Men"): Jesus heals two blind men, touching their eyes, and their sight is restored, emphasizing the power of His touch and their faith.
* [Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon"): Jesus casts out a demon that had caused muteness, and the man speaks, demonstrating His authority over spiritual forces that cause physical ailments.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:33 offers a powerful invitation to consider how Jesus ministers to us in our own "deafness" and "speech impediments." Just as He took the man aside, Jesus often seeks us out in our private moments of struggle, away from the noise and expectations of the "multitude." He desires an intimate encounter, addressing our deepest, most personal needs that we might feel are isolating or embarrassing. Our spiritual "ears" can become deaf to God's voice due to busyness, distraction, or sin, and our spiritual "tongues" can be tied, preventing us from speaking truth, offering praise, or sharing our faith effectively. Jesus' method, though sometimes unexpected, is always tailored to bring about holistic healing. He may use tangible means, specific encounters, or even uncomfortable truths to open our senses to His presence and empower our voices for His glory. This passage encourages us to trust His personal, compassionate approach, to allow Him to touch the areas of our lives that are bound, and to anticipate His transformative work, knowing that He cares deeply for our individual wholeness and our ability to fully participate in His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "deaf" to God's voice or "tongue-tied" in expressing your faith or praise?**
* **How does Jesus' act of taking the man "aside from the multitude" speak to your own need for private, intimate encounters with Him?**
* **What "unconventional" methods might Jesus be using in your life to bring about healing or transformation, and how can you trust His process?**
* **How can you allow Jesus to touch the specific "ears" and "tongues" of your spiritual life, enabling you to hear more clearly and speak more boldly for Him?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus use physical actions like spitting and touching for this healing?**

Answer: Jesus' physical actions in [Mark 7:33](/mark/7-33 "Mark 7:33 - Jesus Heals a Deaf Man") were not magical rituals but served multiple purposes, especially given the man's deafness. Firstly, they were a form of **non-verbal communication**. For someone who could not hear, these tactile and visual cues clearly indicated Jesus' intent to heal the specific afflicted areas (ears and tongue). Secondly, they demonstrated **personal engagement and empathy**. By physically touching the man, Jesus showed profound compassion and connection, going beyond a mere verbal command. Thirdly, while ancient cultures sometimes associated saliva with medicinal properties, Jesus' use of it here was unique to His divine power, serving as a **tangible conduit of His healing authority**, rather than a common remedy. His actions were tailored to the individual, emphasizing His intimate and powerful approach to ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:33, with its intimate portrayal of Jesus' healing of the deaf and mute man, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' ultimate role as the Great Physician and the Incarnate Word. The physical restoration of hearing and speech foreshadows the spiritual liberation that Christ brings through His atoning work. Just as Jesus' fingers opened ears and His touch loosened a tongue, His very life, death, and resurrection open the "ears" of humanity to hear the gospel and loosen "tongues" to confess Him as Lord. He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), who not only speaks creation into being but also restores broken creation through His personal intervention. This healing points to the new covenant reality where the Spirit of God enables us to hear and understand divine truth ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")) and empowers us to proclaim His excellencies ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Ultimately, Jesus' compassionate touch in [Mark 7:33](/mark/7-33 "Mark 7:33 - Jesus Heals a Deaf Man") prefigures the complete restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more suffering, and all will perfectly hear and declare the praises of the Lamb ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 8:23

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

John 9:6

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

John 9:7

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Mark 5:40

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

1 Kings 17:19

And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

1 Kings 17:22

And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

2 Kings 4:33

He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.