He Has Done All Things Well

 

The Healing of the Deaf Man - Mark 7:31-37

Dear Friends, Jesus has left the region of Tyre, travelling a roundabout route through Sidon and back to the Sea of Galilee, right into the heart of the Decapolis—a largely Gentile area full of Greek-speaking towns. There, some people bring to Him a man who is deaf and has a severe speech impediment. They beg Jesus to lay His hand on him (vv.31–32).

What follows is intimate and tender. Jesus takes the man aside privately, away from the crowd. He puts His fingers into the man’s ears, spits, touches his tongue, looks up to heaven, sighs deeply, and says to him, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened” (vv.33–34). Instantly, the man’s ears are opened, the chain on his tongue is broken, and he speaks plainly (v.35).

Jesus charges them not to tell anyone—but the more He insists, the more zealously they proclaim it. The people are astonished beyond measure, declaring, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (vv.36–37).

This miracle echoes Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messianic age: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy” (Isaiah 35:5–6). Here in Gentile territory, Jesus fulfils it. The healing isn’t just physical; it’s a sign of the Kingdom breaking in—ears that couldn’t hear now catch the voice of God, a tongue bound now freed to praise.

The private method, the sigh (a groan of compassion for sin’s brokenness), the touch, the Aramaic command—all show Jesus entering our mess personally. He doesn’t heal from a distance; He gets involved, identifying with our deafness to God’s word and our inability to speak His praise rightly.

We too were once “deaf” to the gospel and “mute” in true worship—cut off by sin. But Jesus has come near, touched our lives through His Spirit, opened our ears to hear the good news, and loosed our tongues to declare His glory. The cross broke every chain; the resurrection set us free to speak plainly of what He has done.

Yet how often do we still hold back praise? How often do we hear His word but fail to proclaim it? This passage challenges us: if the crowds couldn’t keep silent despite Jesus’ command, how much more should we zealously share the One who has done all things well for us?

Today, pause and listen again. Let Him sigh over what still binds you—perhaps fear, shame, or complacency—and hear Him say, “Be opened.” Bring your closed ears and tied tongue to Him. He opens what no one else can, so we might hear His voice and speak His praise.

Point to Ponder: Jesus doesn’t just fix what’s broken—He opens us to hear and speak of God’s goodness, turning silence into testimony.

Verse to Remember: “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” (Mark 7:37 ESV)

Question to Consider: Where in your life are you still “deaf” to God’s voice or “mute” in praising/sharing Him? What chain needs His “Ephphatha” today—will you let Him open it and use you to proclaim His wonders?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church