Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. [the Ten Cities] There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 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. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Mark, keeps Jesus on the move. We come to a new area and another healing. A man who is "deaf and could hardly talk" is brought to Jesus. He would have probably been shunned. He was different. He couldn't communicate. His deafness and lack of speech (because he couldn't hear) would have been seen as a consequence of his parents' sins. He is not acceptable.
Did you notice that "some people" brought this man to Jesus? We don't know who. They are an unidentified group. They not only brought him to Jesus, they begged him to hear him. I love these guys. And I love Jesus response.
He heals him - this time, he touches the mans' ears and spits on his tongue. Jesus is often doing things in different ways - we can't put healing methods into a box.
And is often the case, especically in the early part of Mark, Jesus commends them not to tell anyone.
But the crowds has got a glimpse of the Kingdom, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
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