Mark 7:35

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

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}.

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

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

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

Mark 7:35 vividly describes the immediate and miraculous outcome of Jesus's healing of a man who was deaf and had a profound speech impediment.

Context

This powerful healing event takes place in the region of Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area, highlighting Jesus's ministry extending beyond Jewish communities. Before this verse, Jesus took the man aside privately, away from the crowd, and used specific, tactile actions: putting His fingers into the man's ears, spitting, and touching his tongue. He then looked up to heaven, sighed, and commanded, "Ephphatha, that is, Be opened." Verse 35 details the instantaneous and complete result of this divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: The healing is instant and perfect ("straightway"), demonstrating Jesus's absolute authority over physical ailments and the natural world. This is a clear manifestation of His messianic power.
  • Compassion of Christ: Jesus's actions—taking the man aside, sighing, and physically touching him—reveal a deep empathy and personal care for the afflicted. He engaged with the man on a personal level, acknowledging his suffering.
  • Restoration of Communication: The miracle not only restores the man's physical senses but also his ability to fully participate in society and communicate effectively. He can now hear and speak plainly, symbolizing the restoration of connection with others and potentially with God.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This healing echoes Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's coming, where "the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, and the tongue of the dumb sing" (as seen in Isaiah 35:5-6).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "straightway" translates the Greek word eutheōs (εὐθέως), a common adverb in Mark's Gospel, emphasizing the immediacy and swiftness of Jesus's actions. The description "the string of his tongue was loosed" (Greek: eluthē ho desmos tēs glōssēs autou) suggests a physical impediment or "bond" that was supernaturally released, allowing free movement. Finally, "he spake plain" (Greek: elalei orthōs) indicates that his speech was not just audible but correct, distinct, and clear, confirming a complete restoration of his vocal capabilities.

Practical Application

Mark 7:35 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus's ability to heal and restore what is broken, not just physically, but also spiritually. Just as the man's ears were opened to hear and his tongue loosed to speak clearly, we are called to have our spiritual ears open to God's word and our spiritual tongues loosed to proclaim His truth and goodness. This verse encourages us to bring our limitations and brokenness to Christ, trusting in His compassionate power to bring about wholeness and enable us to communicate His message effectively. It also highlights Jesus's care for those who are marginalized or unable to fully participate due to their limitations, inviting us to reflect His compassion in our own lives.

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.

  • 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.

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