THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 7 - Verse 33

Verse 33. And he took him aside from the multitude. Why this was done we have no means of information. It might have been to conceal from the multitude everything respecting the manner of cure, in order that none might attempt to cure in a similar way.

And put his fingers into his ears, etc. Why this was done it has been found exceedingly difficult to explain. Our Lord had power at once to open his ears and loose his tongue, but for some cause he chose to accompany it with a sign. It was intended, probably, simply as a sign that the power of healing came from Jesus; to satisfy the man by the touch that he had this power, and that it could come from no other quarter. Our Saviour often used signs in this way to denote his power to heal. See Mr 8:23; Joh 9:6.

{f} "and he spit" Mr 8:23; Joh 9:6