Mark 7:24-37
Q .1. Why did Jesus go to Tyre? Why did He not respond to the woman’s request instantly? Did His statement discourage her? What impact did her faith have? – (Mk.7:24-30)
The cities of Tyre and Sidon were outside of Israel’s territory and part of the Phoenician Empire. It seems that Jesus was needing a well-earned rest with His disciples after His heavy ministry schedule. After entering a house – He wanted no one to know of it, yet He could not escape notice (Mk.7:1). A dramatic scene unfolded as – 25 … a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter (Mk.7:25-26). Mark was writing to Gentiles and omitted to mention that it was the disciples who wanted Jesus to send her away, because she kept pestering them to see Jesus (Mt.15:23). Jesus had told her – I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt.15:24). Mark recorded Jesus as saying – Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs (Mk.7:27). The woman in no way took offence, but her faith was stimulated and she responded – Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs (Mk.7:28). Matthew, an eyewitness to the miracle, recalled Jesus as commending the woman, saying – O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish … (Mt.15:28). He told the woman – Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter (Mk.7:29). And it was so (Mk.7:30).
Q.2. By whom was Jesus confronted back in Decapolis? What unique treatment did Jesus apply to the deaf and mute man? How did the people respond to His instruction? – (Mk.7:31-37)
Jesus and His disciples returned to the southeast of the Sea of Galilee in the region of Decapolis, where – They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him (Mk.7:32). Jesus took the man away from the crowds and there He – Jesus 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 (Mk.7:33). This could have seemed distasteful to the crowds. However, Jesus, as the Creator, was about to make some adjustments and wanted the man’s undivided attention (c.f. Gen.2:7,21-22). Jesus looked up to Heaven and prayed – Ephphatha i.e. that the man’s ears might be opened (Mk.7:34). Since he could not hear, he would be unable to speak. The miracle is that Jesus not only healed his hearing but also the impediment in his speaking (Mk.7:35). Christ’s attempt to stop the sensation was futile (Mk.7:36). The crowd’s response was understandable – … He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (Mk.7:37). Jesus had again placed His Messianic credentials before the nation of Israel, as prophesied by Isaiah – He will save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy (Isa.35:5-6).