Mark 7 33

Mark 7:33 kjv

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

Mark 7:33 nkjv

And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.

Mark 7:33 niv

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.

Mark 7:33 esv

And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.

Mark 7:33 nlt

Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man's tongue.

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 33 Meaning

In Mark 7:33, Jesus takes a deaf man with a speech impediment away from the pressing crowd to interact with him in private. His specific physical actions—inserting His fingers into the man's ears, spitting, and then touching the man's tongue—are deliberate, tangible expressions of His divine authority and power directly addressing the man's physical afflictions. These actions prepare the individual for the powerful command of healing that immediately follows, demonstrating a deeply personal and compassionate approach to restoring function and well-being.

Mark 7 33 Context

Mark 7:33 is nestled within a section of Jesus' ministry following a significant discourse on clean and unclean food and traditions with the Pharisees (Mark 7:1-23). After that teaching, Jesus departs Jewish territory, entering the region of Decapolis, an area primarily Gentile. The healing of the deaf man with a speech impediment therefore takes place among non-Jews, highlighting Jesus' inclusive mission beyond Israel's borders. His actions in this verse, taking the man aside privately, might stem from His frequent desire to avoid public sensationalism or to foster a more personal connection, especially given the man's particular needs and the potentially overwhelming experience of being suddenly healed among a crowd. This privacy often serves the purpose of teaching His disciples about the nature of His Messianic work without immediate public fanfare or misunderstanding of His kingly role.

Mark 7 33 Word analysis

• And He took him aside (καὶ ἀπολαβόμενος αὐτὸν, kai apolabomenos auton): The Greek apolabomenos implies a deliberate separation from others. This action signifies Jesus' intentional decision to perform this healing in an intimate, private setting, contrasting with many public miracles. It creates a space for a focused interaction between Jesus and the afflicted individual, free from external distractions and the demands of the multitude.
• from the multitude (ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, apo tou ochlou): Denotes a removal from the public gathering. This highlights the private nature of the healing, a characteristic often observed in Mark's Gospel (e.g., Messianic Secret) to manage public perception or prevent misunderstanding of Jesus' role.
• privately (κατ' ἰδίαν, kat' idian): Reinforces the intimate and secluded nature of the encounter. This specific term emphasizes the one-on-one nature, suggesting that Jesus may have wished to spare the man the shock of a sudden healing in public, or to emphasize the personal and spiritual aspect over a mere spectacle.
• and He put His fingers into his ears (ἔβαλεν τοὺς δακτύλους αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰ ὦτα αὐτοῦ, ebalen tous dactylous autou eis ta ōta autou): Ebalen ("put" or "cast") indicates a purposeful and direct action. The fingers, as a means of personal touch, enter the specific organs of the man's affliction – his ears. This symbolic action directly addresses the man's deafness, physically identifying with and confronting the area of his disability, and signifies Jesus' personal, invasive touch of divine power.
• and He spit (καὶ πτύσας, kai ptysas): The act of spitting. While ancient cultures sometimes associated saliva with medicinal properties, for Jesus, this is not an endorsement of superstition but a tangible means to convey His life-giving power to one who cannot hear words. It's a visible, physical expression of divine activity, emphasizing the divine agent in the healing process and making His actions comprehensible to someone with impaired senses.
• and touched his tongue (ἥψατο τῆς γλώσσης αὐτοῦ, hēpsato tēs glōssēs autou): Hēpsato ("touched") conveys a firm, intentional physical contact. This action directly addresses the second part of the man's affliction – his speech impediment. It connects Jesus' healing power directly to the organ responsible for his inability to speak clearly, preparing it for release.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "took him aside from the multitude privately": This phrase underscores Jesus' pastoral and pedagogical intent. The separation suggests an emphasis on a deeply personal encounter rather than a public display. This creates a focused, less distracting environment for the man, whose primary interface with the world (hearing) is impaired. It also aligns with the broader theme in Mark's Gospel of Jesus often seeking solitude for significant actions or revelations, potentially managing expectations about His Messianic identity.
• "put His fingers into his ears, and He spit, and touched his tongue": This sequence of precise physical actions is highly symbolic. Instead of simply commanding, Jesus employs tactile means. The fingers in the ears directly addresses the hearing impairment, signifying an opening. The spit, a physical element, communicates a palpable transfer of power. The touch of the tongue indicates preparation for speech restoration. Together, these actions vividly communicate intent and power to someone who cannot hear, acting as a profound non-verbal prayer and a concrete manifestation of divine will. These distinct acts anticipate and preface the powerful, efficacious word "Ephphatha!" (Be opened!) in the subsequent verse, preparing the man to receive the miracle fully.

Mark 7 33 Bonus section

The deliberate, localized actions by Jesus, directly involving the affected parts of the man's body (ears, tongue), provide a vivid physical demonstration for a person who cannot comprehend spoken instruction or hear. This shows an empathic understanding of the man's sensory limitations. The physical acts are akin to a non-verbal sermon, a compassionate overture before the climactic act of power. This unique sequence highlights that Jesus is not bound by a formulaic method but adjusts His ministry to the individual's needs, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual, showing profound pastoral sensitivity in His miracles. It is a testament to the fact that Jesus meets individuals where they are.

Mark 7 33 Commentary

Mark 7:33 illustrates Jesus' profound compassion and sovereign authority over physical ailments. Unlike many miracles performed with a mere word or touch, Jesus engages in a unique, almost ritualistic series of actions tailored to the man's specific disabilities. His decision to take the man aside privately reveals a tender care for the individual, prioritizing a personal encounter free from the potential sensory overload or spectacle of a public healing.

The physical actions—fingers in the ears, spitting, and touching the tongue—are not necessary for Jesus' power to operate, but they serve multiple purposes. For the man who cannot hear spoken words, these visible and tactile signs communicate Jesus' intent and presence in a way that mere verbal command would not. They create anticipation and connection, showing the man exactly what parts of his body Jesus is addressing. While saliva was superstitiously used as a remedy in ancient times, Jesus employs it not out of magical belief, but to demonstrate that even common, natural elements become vehicles of His extraordinary, divine power. This unique approach highlights that Jesus' healing power is not limited to a single method; it adapts to the specific needs and understanding of the afflicted individual. The physical prelude serves to prepare the man for the ultimate release and restoration by the spoken word, "Ephphatha!" in the subsequent verse, demonstrating that true healing comes from God's personal touch and potent command.