New International VersionAfter 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.
New Living TranslationJesus 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.
English Standard VersionAnd taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.
Berean Standard BibleSo Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.
Berean Literal BibleAnd having taken him away from the crowd privately, He put His fingers to his ears, and having spit, He touched his tongue,
King James BibleAnd he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
New King James VersionAnd He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
New American Standard BibleAnd Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers in his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
NASB 1995Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
NASB 1977 And He took him aside from the multitude by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
Legacy Standard Bible And Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue;
Amplified BibleJesus, taking him aside by himself, away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, He touched the man’s tongue [with the saliva];
Christian Standard BibleSo he took him away from the crowd in private. After putting his fingers in the man’s ears and spitting, he touched his tongue.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo He took him away from the crowd privately. After putting His fingers in the man’s ears and spitting, He touched his tongue.
American Standard VersionAnd he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue;
Contemporary English VersionAfter Jesus had taken him aside from the crowd, he stuck his fingers in the man's ears. Then he spit and put it on the man's tongue.
English Revised VersionAnd he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus took him away from the crowd to be alone with him. He put his fingers into the man's ears, and after spitting, he touched the man's tongue.
Good News TranslationSo Jesus took him off alone, away from the crowd, put his fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue.
International Standard VersionJesus took him away from the crowd to be alone with him. Putting his fingers into the man's ears, he touched the man's tongue with saliva.
NET BibleAfter Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, he put his fingers in the man's ears, and after spitting, he touched his tongue.
New Heart English BibleHe took him aside from the crowd, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue.
Weymouth New TestamentSo Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.
World English BibleHe took him aside from the multitude privately and put his fingers into his ears; and he spat and touched his tongue. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having taken him away from the multitude by Himself, He put His fingers to his ears, and having spit, He touched his tongue,
Berean Literal BibleAnd having taken him away from the crowd privately, He put His fingers to his ears, and having spit, He touched his tongue,
Young's Literal Translation And having taken him away from the multitude by himself, he put his fingers to his ears, and having spit, he touched his tongue,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd having taken him away from the crowd apart, he put his fingers in his ears, and having spit, he touched his tongue; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue:
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd taking him away from the crowd, he put his fingers into his ears; and spitting, he touched his tongue.
New American BibleHe took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue;
New Revised Standard VersionHe took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo he drew him aside from the people, and put his fingers into his ears, then he spat, and touched his tongue;
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd he took him aside from the crowd alone and put his fingers in his ears and spat and he touched his tongue. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
Godbey New TestamentAnd taking him from the crowd privately, He put His fingers in his ears, and having spat, He touched his tongue;
Haweis New TestamentAnd he took him aside out of the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue;
Mace New TestamentJesus taking him aside from the crowd, spit upon his fingers, and applied them to the ears and to the tongue of the deaf man.
Weymouth New TestamentSo Jesus taking him aside, apart from the crowd, put His fingers into his ears, and spat, and moistened his tongue;
Worrell New TestamentAnd, taking him aside from the multitude privately, He put His fingers into his ears; and, spitting, He touched his tongue;
Worsley New TestamentAnd He took him aside out of the croud, and He spit and put his fingers into his ears, and touched his tongue:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Deaf and Mute Man… 32Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him. 33So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”).…
Cross References Isaiah 35:5-6Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Matthew 9:29-30Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” / And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one finds out about this!”
John 9:6-7When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
Matthew 15:30-31Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them. / The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
Luke 7:21-22At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind. / So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
John 11:43-44After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
Mark 8:23-25So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. “Can you see anything?” He asked. / The man looked up and said, “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.” / Once again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly.
Matthew 11:5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Luke 4:40At sunset, all who were ill with various diseases were brought to Jesus, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.
Acts 3:6-8But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” / Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. / He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.
Isaiah 29:18On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
Isaiah 42:7to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.
John 5:8-9Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” / Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. Now this happened on the Sabbath day,
Matthew 8:3Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Luke 18:42-43“Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.” / Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Mark 5:40
And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. Mark 8:23
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 1 Kings 17:19-22
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed… put. Jump to Previous Apart Crowd Ears Finger Fingers Jesus Moistened Mouth Multitude Privately Saliva Side Spat Spit Spitting Tongue Touched WaterJump to Next Apart Crowd Ears Finger Fingers Jesus Moistened Mouth Multitude Privately Saliva Side Spat Spit Spitting Tongue Touched WaterMark 7 1. The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with unwashed hands.8. They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men.14. Food defiles not the man.24. He heals the Syrophenician woman's daughter of an unclean spirit;31. and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech.So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowdThis action demonstrates Jesus' compassion and sensitivity to the man's condition. By taking him aside, Jesus provides a personal and intimate setting for the healing, which reflects His care for individual needs. This also prevents the man from becoming a spectacle, emphasizing the personal nature of Jesus' ministry. In the broader context of the Gospels, Jesus often withdrew from crowds to perform miracles or to pray, highlighting the importance of personal faith and relationship with God over public display ( Matthew 6:6). and put His fingers into the man’s ears
This physical action by Jesus is significant in that it directly addresses the man's ailment. In the cultural context of the time, physical touch was a common method in healing practices, and Jesus uses it here to communicate His intention to heal. The act of touching the ears symbolizes the opening of spiritual and physical hearing, which is a recurring theme in Scripture (Isaiah 35:5). This gesture also prefigures the opening of spiritual understanding that Jesus brings to those who are spiritually deaf. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue
Spitting was a common practice in ancient healing rituals, believed to have curative properties. Jesus' use of spit here, combined with the touch of the tongue, signifies the transfer of His divine power to heal. This act can be seen as a symbolic cleansing and restoration of speech, paralleling the spiritual cleansing and renewal that Jesus offers. The use of spit and touch is unique to this miracle, emphasizing the personal and tailored approach Jesus takes in His healing ministry. This action also connects to the creative power of God, as seen in Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from the dust, highlighting Jesus' role in the new creation. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, performing a miraculous healing. 2. The Deaf and Mute ManThe individual in need of healing, brought to Jesus by others. 3. The CrowdThe group of people from whom Jesus takes the man aside, indicating a more personal and intimate interaction. 4. DecapolisThe region where this event takes place, known for its Hellenistic influence and mixed population. Teaching Points Personal Attention from JesusJesus takes the man aside, showing His care for individual needs. This teaches us that Jesus is attentive to our personal struggles and desires to meet us where we are. Symbolic ActionsThe use of fingers and spit may seem unusual, but these actions symbolize Jesus' authority and the tangible nature of His healing power. It reminds us that God can use unexpected means to bring about His purposes. Faith and ObedienceThe man allows Jesus to perform these actions, demonstrating trust. We are called to trust Jesus' methods, even when they don't make sense to us. The Role of CommunityThe man is brought to Jesus by others, highlighting the importance of community in bringing people to Christ. We should be active in supporting and guiding others to Jesus for healing and restoration. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Mark 7:33?
2. Why did Jesus use physical actions to heal in Mark 7:33?
3. How does Mark 7:33 demonstrate Jesus' compassion and personal care for individuals?
4. What Old Testament prophecies connect to Jesus' healing method in Mark 7:33?
5. How can we apply Jesus' example of personal ministry in Mark 7:33 today?
6. What does Jesus' healing in Mark 7:33 teach about faith and obedience?
7. Why did Jesus use saliva to heal in Mark 7:33?
8. What is the significance of Jesus touching the man's tongue in Mark 7:33?
9. How does Mark 7:33 reflect Jesus' approach to healing and miracles?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 7?
11. Why did Jesus use spit in healing?
12. Why does Jesus openly criticize ritual hand-washing (Mark 7:1-13) if it has clear roots in Old Testament law?
13. Does Jesus' challenge to 'Corban' in Mark 7:9-13 contradict the biblical command to honor parents?
14. How can Jesus' claim that all foods are clean (Mark 7:14-15) be reconciled with strict dietary laws in the Old Testament?What Does Mark 7:33 Mean So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowdJesus leads the deaf and mute man away from the bustle, creating a quiet space where faith can flourish. • In Mark 5:40–41, He removed onlookers before raising Jairus’s daughter, showing that distractions can smother trust. • Matthew 14:23 records Him seeking solitude to pray, underscoring His pattern of intentional separation. • By stepping away, the Lord honors the individual, reminding us that He knows each sheep by name (John 10:3). Privacy also shields the man from ridicule; in Matthew 9:24–25 mockers laughed, but miracles often happen once scoffers are out of earshot.
and put His fingers into the man’s earsTouch speaks volumes when words cannot. • Jesus used touch with Peter’s feverish mother-in-law (Mark 1:31) and with the leper (Luke 5:13), declaring compassion louder than speech. • Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing,” so opening ears is foundational; here Christ physically signals His intention to restore what sin had marred. • The gesture also invites the man’s participation: he feels hope before he hears it.
Then He spitSpittle was understood as having healing properties in the ancient world, and the Lord graciously communicates within that cultural frame. • In John 9:6 He “made mud with the saliva” for the blind man, echoing the Creator shaping life from earth (Genesis 2:7). • Each method differs, teaching that power resides in the Savior, not in a formula (2 Kings 5:10–14 contrasts Naaman’s expectations with God’s surprising means). • The act humbles human pride, reminding us that “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).
and touched the man’s tongueThe final touch completes the picture: ears to receive, tongue to respond. • Psalm 51:15 pleads, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise,” paralleling the twofold liberation. • Isaiah 35:5–6 foretells that “the ears of the deaf will be unstopped” and “the mute tongue will shout for joy,” a prophecy now fulfilled. • Mark 7:37 records the crowd’s amazement: “He has done all things well,” echoing Genesis 1:31 where God saw everything He had made and declared it very good.
summaryJesus’ private, personal, and purposeful actions in Mark 7:33 reveal His attentive love, His power to reverse the curse on hearing and speech, and His desire for believers to both receive His word and proclaim His praise. Every deliberate movement—separation from the crowd, touch to the ears, the humble sign of spittle, and the liberating touch on the tongue—points to a Savior who meets us where we are and restores us completely. (33) He took him aside from the multitude.--We trace in this, and in the manual acts that followed, the same tender considerateness for the infirmities of the sufferer as in our Lord's treatment of the blind. (See Note on Matthew 9:29.) Here the man could not find in the pitying tones of the voice of the Healer that on which his faith could fasten, and the act came in to fill up the void. Verse 33. - And he took him aside from the multitude privately. This was done, no doubt, to fix the attention of the afflicted man upon himself, and upon the fact that he was about to act upon his ears and his tongue. And he put ( ἔβαλε) - literally, cast or thrust - his fingers into his ears. The action was very significant. It was as though he said, "I am about to open a passage for hearing through these ears." And he spat, and touched his tongue; that is, he touched his tongue with saliva from his own sacred lips. These symbolical actions must have had a great meaning for the afflicted man. They were a tableau vivant, an acted metaphor, teaching him what he might expect from the mercy of Christ. The analogy of the miracle recorded in St. John ( John 9:6) should be noticed here. It is an interesting circumstance (noticed in the 'Speaker's Commentary') that, in the Latin Church, the officiating priest touches the nostrils and ears of those who are to be baptized, with saliva from his own mouth. We may be assured that, in the case before us, these signs used by our Lord were intended to awaken the afflicted man's faith, and to stir up in him the lively expectation of a blessing.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [So]Καὶ (Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. [Jesus] took himἀπολαβόμενος (apolabomenos)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 618: From apo and lambano; to receive; also to take aside.asideκατ’ (kat’)Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).privately,ἰδίαν (idian)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.away fromἀπὸ (apo)Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.theτοῦ (tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.crowd,ὄχλου (ochlou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.[and] putἔβαλεν (ebalen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.Hisαὐτοῦ (autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.fingersδακτύλους (daktylous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1147: A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.intoεἰς (eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.[the man’s]αὐτοῦ (autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.ears.ὦτα (ōta)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3775: (a) the ear, (b) met: the faculty of perception. Apparently a primary word; the ear.Thenκαὶ (kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He spitπτύσας (ptysas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4429: To spit. A primary verb; to spit.[and] touchedἥψατο (hēpsato)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 680: Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.[the man’s]αὐτοῦ (autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.tongue.γλώσσης (glōssēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.
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NT Gospels: Mark 7:33 He took him aside from the multitude (Mar Mk Mr) |
