Mark 7:33: “After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Jesus begins healing a deaf and mute man in a very personal and unusual way. Instead of healing instantly with a word, He takes the man aside, touches his ears and tongue, and even uses spit.

Each of these actions has meaning:

1. “He took him aside, away from the crowd” – Jesus does not heal the man publicly but privately, showing personal care and avoiding making a spectacle of him.
2. “Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears” – A physical sign that Jesus was focusing on his hearing. Since the man was deaf, this action would have communicated Jesus’ intent to heal.
3. “Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue” – Spit was sometimes considered to have healing properties in ancient times, and by touching the man’s tongue, Jesus was making a direct connection to his speech.

Instead of just speaking a healing word (which He had done before), Jesus chose to interact with this man in a deeply personal and physical way, showing compassion and understanding for his condition.

Historical Context

Healing in the Ancient World

• In Jewish and Roman culture, deafness and muteness were often seen as signs of divine judgment or demonic oppression (Exodus 4:11).
• Many healers of the time used spit and physical touch in their practices, but Jesus was not relying on superstition—His power came from God alone.
• The man likely could not read or understand spoken language, so Jesus used physical actions to show what He was about to do.

Why Did Jesus Take Him Aside?

• Unlike many other miracles, Jesus did not heal this man publicly.
• Perhaps He did this to protect the man’s dignity—he may have been seen as a social outcast.
• Jesus often avoided drawing attention to His miracles so that people would focus on His message, not just His power.

This event shows Jesus’ personal care for individuals—He is not just healing a physical condition, but restoring a man’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

Theological Implications

1. Jesus’ healing is personal. He does not heal in a one-size-fits-all way—He meets people where they are (Psalm 139:3).
2. God uses physical means to communicate spiritual truth. Jesus’ actions spoke volumes to the deaf man, just as God often uses physical symbols (like baptism and communion) to teach us today (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
3. Jesus is not limited in how He heals. Sometimes He speaks a word (Mark 2:11), sometimes He touches (Mark 1:41), and sometimes He does both—but in every case, His power is effective.
4. Jesus values human dignity. By taking the man aside, He shows that He cares about individuals, not just crowds (Isaiah 42:3).

This passage teaches that God’s work in our lives is not just about power—it’s about relationship and personal care.

Literary Analysis

• “He took him aside, away from the crowd” – Highlights Jesus’ personal attention to this man, instead of making him a public spectacle.
• “Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears” – Since the man could not hear Jesus’ words, Jesus used a physical sign to communicate healing.
• “Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue” – This is one of the most intimate miracles Jesus performs, showing that God meets people in their brokenness in ways they can understand.

The structure of this verse slows the action down, drawing the reader’s attention to each step Jesus takes in healing the man.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 35:5-6 – “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” – This healing fulfills prophecies about the Messiah.
• Mark 8:23 – Jesus also heals a blind man using spit and physical touch.
• John 9:6-7 – Jesus uses mud and spit to heal a blind man, showing God can work in unexpected ways.
• Psalm 139:3 – “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” – God knows our personal needs and meets us where we are.
• Matthew 11:5 – “The deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” – Jesus’ healings prove He is the Messiah.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds believers that:

1. Jesus meets us in personal ways. He does not just do “general” work—He cares about each individual’s needs.
2. Healing can happen in different ways. Sometimes God heals instantly, and sometimes He works through a process—but in all cases, His power is real.
3. We should show personal care to others. Jesus took time with this man, showing that we should not just rush through ministry, but take time to truly love people.
4. God uses signs and actions to communicate with us. Just as Jesus used touch and spit to speak to the deaf man, God uses the Bible, the church, and even circumstances to show us His truth.

This verse challenges Christians to slow down and care for people personally, just as Jesus did.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how Jesus interacts with this man:

• God is not distant. Jesus personally engages with the man, touching him and communicating with him.
• God cares for the overlooked. In a culture where people with disabilities were often ignored, Jesus makes time for this man.
• God is patient with us. He does not just demand that we understand Him—He meets us where we are and helps us along.

This verse is a picture of how God lovingly cares for each person, no matter how broken or overlooked they feel.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus fulfills Messianic prophecy. The healing of the deaf and mute was a sign that the Messiah had come (Isaiah 35:5-6).
2. Jesus is deeply personal in His ministry. Unlike religious leaders who stayed distant, Jesus got close, touched, and cared for individuals (Luke 7:13-15).
3. Jesus’ miracles point to spiritual healing. Just as Jesus healed physical deafness, He also came to open people’s spiritual ears to hear the truth (Matthew 13:16).
4. Jesus uses unexpected methods. God’s power is not always displayed in the way we expect, but it is always effective (John 3:8).

This verse highlights that Jesus is not just a miracle worker—He is a personal Savior who meets us in our brokenness.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Jesus took this man aside instead of healing him publicly?
2. What does this story teach us about how Jesus interacts with people?
3. How does this passage challenge us to slow down and personally care for others?
4. Have you ever experienced God working in your life in an unexpected way? How did it affect your faith?
5. What does this healing teach about Jesus’ power and compassion?

This verse is a powerful reminder that Jesus’ love is personal, His methods are purposeful, and His power is beyond our understanding. He does not just see the crowd—He sees you.