August 24, 2025 - AM
Deaf man Healed #
Mark 7:31-35
Introduction
A couple of interesting things about this passage. This miracle is not recorded in the other Gospels. It is unique to the Gospel of Mark.
Jesus traveled quite a bit, it is estimated about 60 to 70 miles traveling. That would be up to 3-4 day trip of walking every day. The Bible doesn’t explain to us the details about the traveling of Jesus, but that is a lot of walking.
Going through Decapolis (a region of 10 cities) was out of the way, it is like saying they went from Cleveland to Columbus through Cincinnati. The mileage is not the same, but the idea is there. Tyre and Sidon is northwest of the Sea of Galilee. Decapolis is Southeast of the sea of Galilee. So clearly they walked past the ‘destination’ to tour the area of Decapolis. This trip easily could have been stretched out into a weeks time or more. This would provide them much needed time of rest, and teaching.
Decapolis is only mentioned three times in the Bible. Once in Matthew, and twice in Mark.
Mark 5:18–20 - “18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”
I. The Helpers (32) #
A. The Believers “And they bring” #
Luke 6:39 - “39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?”
i. Lost people don’t lead others to Jesus! #
ii. Believers lead other’s to Jesus #
• Lost people don’t get saved because they stumble into the truth
• Lost people get saved because a saved person, cares about them, and desires to help them, and see them get saved!
• We must care enough for others that we tell them of Jesus, who can change their life!
B. The Bringing (32) #
• Deaf in many cultures are treated poorly.
• In Jewish communities, this would not have been the case.
Exodus 4:11 - “11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” Leviticus 19:14 - “14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.”
i. How did they know him? Friends? Family? #
ii. How did they convince him? #
C. The Beseeching (32) “they beseech him” #
i. The deaf man was in no position to ask for himself #
• He was deaf (unable to hear) and dumb (unable to speak)
• This is common among deaf, can deaf speak? Yes, but it requires special education.
ii. The deaf man was not in full understanding of what he needed! #
II. The Healing (33-35) #
A. It was Private (33) “took him aside” #
i. Many miracles had been done in a public display. #
ii. This was intended to be a private miracle #
• Jesus was not looking to create more popularity for himself
• Jesus is happy helping others in a quiet private setting.
B. It was Personal (33) “put his fingers in his ears” #
• Every miracle could have been described this way.
i. Communication – deaf couldn’t hear, perhaps an indication touching his ears, and tongue #
ii. Everyone needs a touch from Jesus! #
C. It was Prayerful (34) “looking up to heaven, sigh” #
i. Looking up to heaven #
ii. Sigh #
Psalm 12:5 - “5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.”
• This man had been oppressed by his inability to hear!
• We worked with the deaf in Peru for a while, most of us are ignorant of the ways that deafness hinders people.
Romans 8:26 - “26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
D. It was Perfect (complete) #
i. Healed his hearing #
• First thing he heard, was Jesus voice!
ii. Healed his speaking #
III. The Heralding (36-37) #
A. Admonition (36) #
i. Keep it quiet! #
• Jesus was very well known, and yet another miracle would further popularize him
• Jesus didn’t seek popularity, but rather ministry. - Many in ministry today, seek popularity, and should be rather seeking ministry!
ii. Jesus doesn’t want it quiet today #
B. Astonishment (37) #
i. Every life that God saves, is amazing! #
ii. Every testimony is unique #
iii. You talk about things that impress you. #
• Don’t ever get over your salvation!
• Time passes, and the freshness of it wears off…. Remember, review your salvation, and what God has done for you!
C. Announcement (37) #
“He hath done all things well”
i. God truly does “all things well” #
ii. His change in your life, is well #
iii. His involvement in your life, is well #
iv. His concern in your life, is well! #
• Don’t ever think that God has failed you, or messed up your life… this man was far better off hearing, and speaking! His life was changed for the better.