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    New Testament
    Healing

    Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man (Ephphatha)

    Jesus opens the ears of a deaf man and looses his tongue in the region of Decapolis.

    Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man (Ephphatha)

    They brought to Jesus a man deaf, with an impediment in his speech. He took him aside privately, put His fingers into the man's ears, touched his tongue, looked up to heaven, sighed, and said, 'Ephphatha' — 'Be opened.' Straightway his ears were opened, the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

    Performed by

    Jesus Christ

    Location

    The region of Decapolis, near the Sea of Galilee

    What Happened

    • 1Friends brought a deaf man with a speech impediment to Jesus
    • 2Jesus took him aside from the crowd
    • 3He put His fingers into the man's ears and touched his tongue
    • 4He looked to heaven, sighed, and said, 'Ephphatha'
    • 5Immediately his ears were opened and his speech was plain

    Key KJV Scriptures

    "And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain."

    Spiritual Significance

    Jesus' tender personal touch fulfilled the Messianic sign of Isaiah 35:5 — the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped — and previews the spiritual ears He opens to hear the gospel.

    Lesson for Today

    Christ takes us aside and meets us where we are. He still says, 'Be opened,' to ears and hearts that need to hear Him.

    Key People

    Jesus
    The deaf and mute man

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does 'Ephphatha' mean?

    It is Aramaic for 'Be opened.' Mark preserves the very word Jesus spoke.

    Why did Jesus sigh?

    It was a sigh of compassion at the brokenness sin has brought into the world — and longing for the full restoration to come.

    Where in the Bible is the miracle of Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man (Ephphatha)?

    The miracle of Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man (Ephphatha) is recorded in Mark 7:34-35 (KJV).

    Who performed the miracle of Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man (Ephphatha)?

    Scripture records that Jesus Christ carried out this miracle at The region of Decapolis, near the Sea of Galilee. Ultimately the power belonged to God, who alone does wondrous things (Psalm 72:18).

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