Mark 7:34

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And {G2532} looking up {G308} to {G1519} heaven {G3772}, he sighed {G4727}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Ephphatha {G2188}, that is {G3603}, Be opened {G1272}.

then, looking up to heaven, he gave a deep groan and said to him, "Hippatach!" (that is, "Be opened!").

And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”).

and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

Commentary on Mark 7:34 (KJV):

Context of Mark 7:34

Mark 7:34 is part of a unique healing account found only in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus is in the region of Decapolis, east of the Sea of Galilee, a largely Gentile area. Prior to this miracle, Jesus had been teaching His disciples about true defilement, emphasizing that it comes from within a person's heart, not from external rituals or foods (Mark 7:15). This healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' compassion and divine authority over physical ailments, contrasting sharply with the Pharisees' legalistic focus. Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd, signifying a personal and intimate approach to healing, focusing on the individual's need.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Power and Authority: Jesus' simple, direct command, "Ephphatha," immediately brings about a profound physical change, demonstrating His absolute power over creation and disease. This instantaneous healing is a clear sign of His Messiahship and divine nature.
  • Profound Compassion: Jesus' actions—looking to heaven, sighing, taking the man aside, and touching his ears and tongue—reveal His deep empathy for human suffering. The sigh (Greek: stenazō) may express grief over the effects of sin on humanity, the spiritual oppression causing such ailments, or even the intense spiritual exertion involved in confronting evil.
  • Personal Touch and Intimacy: Unlike some healings performed from a distance, Jesus engages directly and personally with this man. His physical touch and taking the man aside highlight His willingness to meet individuals where they are, ministering to their specific needs with tender care.
  • Spiritual Opening: Beyond the physical healing, the command "Be opened" carries significant spiritual weight. It can symbolize the opening of hearts and minds to understand God's truth, a theme central to Jesus' ministry. This miracle foreshadows the greater work of spiritual sight and hearing that Jesus brings to those who are spiritually blind and deaf, enabling them to comprehend the Kingdom of God, as seen in Luke 24:45.

Linguistic Insight: "Ephphatha"

The word "Ephphatha" (Strong's G2188) is an Aramaic word, which Mark preserves in its original form before giving its Greek translation, "Be opened" (ἀνοίχθητι, anoichthēti). The inclusion of the original Aramaic word adds a layer of authenticity and immediacy to the account, emphasizing the direct, powerful, and authoritative utterance from Jesus. It underscores that this was a specific, spoken command that brought about a miraculous transformation.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound insights for believers today. Jesus' sigh reminds us to cultivate empathy for those who suffer and to be moved to compassionate action, not just observation. The simple, powerful command "Ephphatha" underscores the efficacy and authority of God's word; when God speaks, things happen. Practically, this verse calls us to consider areas in our own lives that need to be "opened"—our ears to hear God's voice more clearly, our minds to understand His Word more deeply, and our hearts to receive His love and truth more fully. It invites us to pray for spiritual breakthroughs, asking God to open our senses to His presence and to empower us to speak forth His praises clearly and without impediment.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 11:41

    Then they took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up [his] eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

  • Mark 6:41

    And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave [them] to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

  • Mark 5:41

    And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

  • Mark 15:34

    And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

  • Acts 9:34

    And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

  • John 11:33

    ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

  • Mark 8:12

    And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

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