Mark 7:35

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} straightway {G2112} his {G846} ears {G189} were opened {G1272}, and {G2532} the string {G1199} of his {G846} tongue {G1100} was loosed {G3089}, and {G2532} he spake {G2980} plain {G3723}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His ears were opened, his tongue was freed, and he began speaking clearly.

Berean Standard Bible

Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:35 vividly recounts the instantaneous and complete healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment, immediately following Jesus's compassionate command, "Ephphatha!" This verse highlights the miraculous power and divine authority of Jesus, demonstrating His ability to restore full sensory and communicative function, thereby illustrating His comprehensive redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful healing narrative is situated within a broader section of Mark's Gospel (Mark 7:1-8:26) where Jesus increasingly demonstrates His authority over physical ailments and engages with Gentile regions. Immediately preceding [Mark 7:35](/mark/7-35 "Mark 7:35 - The Healing of the Deaf Man"), Jesus has taken the man aside from the crowd, a private act emphasizing personal compassion and perhaps avoiding a public spectacle that might misinterpret His messianic mission. Jesus's specific actions—inserting His fingers into the man's ears, spitting and touching his tongue, looking up to heaven, and sighing—culminate in the Aramaic command, "[Ephphatha! (Be opened)](/mark/7-34 "Mark 7:34 - Jesus Commands 'Ephphatha'")". Verse 35 then describes the immediate and perfect physical outcome of this divine intervention, serving as the climactic fulfillment of Jesus's word. The subsequent verses detail the crowd's astonishment and Jesus's instruction for silence, which they disregard due to the profound impact of the miracle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The healing takes place in the region of the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area east of the Sea of Galilee. This setting is significant as it underscores Jesus's ministry extending beyond the traditional Jewish boundaries, demonstrating His universal compassion and the inclusive nature of the coming Kingdom of God. In Jewish culture, physical ailments like deafness and speech impediments were often associated with sin or divine judgment, leading to social marginalization. The man's inability to hear or speak plainly would have severely limited his participation in community life, religious rituals, and even basic commerce. Jesus's tactile approach—touching the man's ears and tongue—was a common practice among ancient healers, but His authority and the instantaneous, complete nature of the healing set it apart as a divine act, not merely a human one. His sigh (Greek: *stenazō*) conveys deep empathy and perhaps even the burden of humanity's suffering, a poignant expression of His divine-human nature.
* **Key Themes:** This miracle powerfully illustrates several central themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Authority and Power of Jesus**, as the healing is instantaneous and complete, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over physical limitations and the natural world. This is a clear manifestation of His messianic power, echoing the prophetic expectations of the Messiah's coming. Secondly, it highlights the **Compassion of Christ**, as Jesus's actions—taking the man aside, sighing, and physically touching him—reveal a profound empathy and personal care for the afflicted, engaging with him on a deeply personal level. Thirdly, the miracle signifies the **Restoration of Communication and Wholeness**. The man's ability to hear and speak plainly symbolizes not only physical restoration but also his reintegration into society and the potential for renewed communion with God. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's desire to restore humanity to full relationship with Him, as seen from [the Garden of Eden](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - Creation and the Garden of Eden") to the new creation. Finally, this healing serves as a **Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy**, particularly those found in [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of God's Coming Kingdom") and [Isaiah 29:18](/isaiah/29-18 "Isaiah 29:18 - The Deaf Will Hear and Blind See"), which foretold that in the messianic age, "the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, and the tongue of the dumb sing."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **opened (Greek, _dianoígō'_):** From *dia* (through) and *anoígō* (to open), this verb means to open thoroughly, completely, or fully. In the context of the man's ears, it signifies an immediate and perfect restoration of hearing, indicating that his auditory canals were not just partially unblocked but entirely and functionally opened, allowing him to perceive sound clearly and completely. This implies a divine act that transcends mere physical therapy.
* **string (Greek, _desmón'_):** This noun refers to a band, ligament, or shackle. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe a physical impediment or "bond" that constrained the man's tongue, preventing its free movement and thus hindering clear speech. The use of "string" vividly portrays a physical limitation that was supernaturally released, allowing for articulate vocalization. It suggests a deep-seated, perhaps congenital, issue that only divine power could resolve.
* **plain (Greek, _orthōs'_):** An adverb derived from *orthós* (straight, correct), meaning in a straight manner, correctly, or properly. When applied to the man's speech, it emphasizes that his newly acquired ability to speak was not merely audible but also clear, distinct, coherent, and grammatically correct. This indicates a complete and perfect restoration of his vocal capabilities, allowing him to communicate effectively and without any remaining impediment or distortion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And straightway his ears were opened":** This clause highlights the immediate and instantaneous nature of the miracle. The Greek adverb *euthéōs* ("straightway" or "immediately") is characteristic of Mark's Gospel, emphasizing the swiftness and decisiveness of Jesus's divine action. The man's hearing was perfectly restored at the very moment Jesus spoke, demonstrating Jesus's absolute authority over physical infirmities.
* **"and the string of his tongue was loosed":** This vivid imagery describes the physical impediment that had bound the man's tongue, making clear speech impossible. The "loosening" (Greek: *lýō*) signifies the supernatural removal of this physical or physiological barrier. This was not a gradual improvement but a complete liberation of his vocal apparatus, enabling full and unhindered movement of the tongue.
* **"and he spake plain":** This final clause describes the complete and perfect outcome of the healing. Not only was the man's hearing restored and his tongue freed, but his speech became clear, distinct, and correct. The adverb "plain" (Greek: *orthōs*) indicates that his words were not merely audible but also articulate and intelligible, signifying a full restoration of his ability to communicate effectively and participate fully in society.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:35 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the power and significance of Jesus's miracle. The most prominent is **Immediacy**, conveyed by the adverb "straightway" (Greek: *euthéōs*), a hallmark of Mark's Gospel that emphasizes the instantaneous and decisive nature of Jesus's actions. This highlights His divine authority and the completeness of the healing. **Sensory Language** is powerfully used, focusing on the man's ears and tongue, making the miracle tangible and relatable to the reader's own experiences of hearing and speaking. The phrase "the string of his tongue was loosed" employs a vivid **Metaphor** or **Figurative Language**, depicting a physical impediment as a "string" or "bond" that was supernaturally released. This metaphor not only describes the physical reality but also carries **Symbolic** weight, representing the liberation from any spiritual or physical bondage that prevents one from hearing God's truth or proclaiming it. The entire scene also functions as a **Demonstration of Power**, showcasing Jesus's unique ability to reverse physical disabilities, thereby affirming His messianic identity and divine nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7:35 is a profound theological statement about the nature of Jesus's ministry. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately involved in human suffering, demonstrating compassion through tangible acts of healing and restoration. The instantaneous and complete nature of the miracle underscores Jesus's divine authority, portraying Him as the sovereign Lord over all creation, including the human body. This physical healing serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation: just as the man's ears were opened to hear and his tongue loosed to speak, so too does Christ open spiritual ears to hear God's truth and loose spiritual tongues to declare His praise. This restoration of communication signifies the breaking of barriers that separate humanity from God and from one another, pointing to the holistic salvation offered in Christ.

* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of God's Coming Kingdom"): "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."
* [Matthew 11:4-5](/matthew/11-4-5 "Matthew 11:4-5 - Jesus's Works Confirm His Identity"): "Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 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."
* [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission"): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:35 offers a rich tapestry for personal reflection and practical application in the life of a believer. Just as Jesus compassionately encountered the deaf and mute man, He desires to meet us in our own places of limitation and brokenness, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This passage invites us to bring our "unopened ears"—our spiritual deafness to God's voice, our resistance to His truth—and our "bound tongues"—our inability to speak His truth boldly, our struggles with confession or praise—to Him. Jesus's power is not diminished; He can still "open" and "loose" what hinders us. We are called to cultivate a posture of receptivity, allowing the Holy Spirit to unstop our spiritual ears so we might truly hear and obey God's Word. Furthermore, as our spiritual tongues are loosed, we are empowered to speak plainly about the goodness and grace of God, to share our faith without impediment, and to offer praise and worship that is unhindered. This miracle also challenges us to reflect Christ's compassion in our interactions with others, especially those who are marginalized, overlooked, or struggling with their own forms of "deafness" or "speech impediments," whether literal or metaphorical. We are to be agents of His restorative love, helping others to hear and speak the truth of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I feel spiritually "deaf" or "mute," unable to hear God clearly or speak His truth boldly?**
* **How can I intentionally create space to better hear God's voice and allow Him to "loose" my tongue for His purposes?**
* **How does Jesus's compassion for the marginalized man challenge my own attitudes and actions towards those who are different or struggling?**
* **What "strings" or impediments, whether internal or external, might be preventing me from fully expressing my faith or living out my calling?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use physical touch and a sigh in this healing, unlike some other miracles?**

Answer: Jesus's use of physical touch—putting His fingers into the man's ears and touching his tongue with saliva—was not strictly necessary for the miracle but served several important purposes. Firstly, it conveyed deep personal **compassion** and empathy, connecting with the man on a tangible level, especially given his inability to hear verbal commands. This tactile engagement reassured the man and demonstrated Jesus's personal investment in his healing. Secondly, such actions were sometimes associated with ancient healing practices, which might have made the miracle more comprehensible or accessible to the man and the onlookers, though Jesus's power far surpassed any human healer. The sigh (Greek: *stenazō*) likewise conveyed profound **empathy** for human suffering and the burden of sin in a fallen world, underscoring Jesus's divine-human nature. It was an expression of deep emotion, perhaps a groan or sigh of anguish over the effects of sin and brokenness that He was about to overcome. These actions personalize the divine intervention, emphasizing that Jesus is not a distant God but one who intimately understands and responds to human pain, as seen in His weeping at Lazarus's tomb in [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7:35 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the physical restoration it brings but, more profoundly, in its symbolic representation of Jesus's spiritual work. As the Messiah, Jesus came to open the spiritual ears of humanity, enabling those who were deaf to God's truth to hear His life-giving Word. This is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, where faith comes by hearing the word of Christ ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")). Just as the "string of his tongue was loosed," Jesus liberates us from the spiritual impediments that bind our ability to speak God's praise, confess our sins, and proclaim the Gospel. He enables us to speak "plain"—to articulate our faith clearly and without hindrance, transforming us from those who cannot communicate with God into His eloquent witnesses. This miracle foreshadows the comprehensive salvation Jesus offers, moving beyond mere physical healing to address the deeper spiritual brokenness caused by sin. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks the ultimate bonds of sin and death, opening the way for true communion with God and empowering believers to live lives of joyful obedience and articulate witness, fulfilling the prophetic promise that the redeemed would "sing aloud" ([Isaiah 35:6](/isaiah/35-6 "Isaiah 35:6 - The Tongue of the Dumb Will Sing")). He is the one who truly gives us ears to hear and mouths to declare His glorious name ([Matthew 13:16](/matthew/13-16 "Matthew 13:16 - Blessed Are Your Eyes and Ears")).

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

Isaiah 35:5

¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Isaiah 35:6

Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 32:3

And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

Isaiah 32:4

The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

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.

Mark 2:12

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Psalms 33:9

For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.