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 explanation 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.7:24). 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 (see 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 – 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 (see 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 (see Mk.7:35). Christ’s attempt to stop the sensation was futile (see 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.35:4-5-).