Mark 7:31-37 NRSVue
31Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went by way of Sidon toward the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
Reflection on Mark 7:31-37
Inspiration from 2026-02-13 Daily Prayer
The kindness and courage of others often strike us in relation to the stories of daily events in Jesus’ life. He must have been weighed down with requests of one sort or another. They came often, but not necessarily from those who wanted or needed something done for themselves. Have you experienced the kindness of strangers when it comes to some of your own requests being presented to Jesus on your behalf? If so, offer a prayer of thanks to and for your advocate.
Further reflection
You were always on the side of health, Lord. You communicated your own vigorous health to people by touching them, even sharing your saliva. Let me relish my senses while I have them, open my ears to music and my lips to speech. Touch me with health.
Many of the incidents recorded about Jesus for posterity are about healing. He had a reputation as a healer. People flocked to him as they do today to healers because they need him. We know from the weakness of our bodies and the fragility of our hearts that we need God. Prayer is the time we come in need to God knowing that he always gives strength of mind, body or soul when we place ourselves in God's loving presence.
The healing work of Jesus involved the body and well as mind and soul. Some 'Christian' teaching devalues the body. Our body is the 'place' of the Holy Spirit and through words, touch and feeling we affect the lives of others. In prayer we thank God for the sacredness of our bodies and ask that we care well for them. We offer this care to the Lord in the ways we eat, drink, touch and taste. We believe that Jesus, Son of God, is present and incarnate today in our bodies.
There are several instances in Mark's Gospel where Jesus commands people to be silent about his identity. The reason could well have had to do with the political situation in Jesus' day. The Messiah expected by the Jews was a political/military as well as religious figure, so Jesus was probably unwilling to use such a title, at least without some qualifications, to avoid provoking the Roman authorities.
Jesus wants to take the man aside and asks him to keep his healing to himself. I pray for the wisdom that I may need to know when to speak and when to rest quietly with Jesus.