Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 7:31-37

"And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." — Mark 7:31-37 (ASV)

This passage describes the cure of a man who was deaf and mute. Those who brought this poor man to Christ implored Him to consider his condition and exercise His power. Our Lord used more outward actions in performing this cure than He usually did. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, intended to encourage his faith and the faith of those who brought him.

Although we find great variety in the cases and in the manner of relief for those who applied to Christ, yet all obtained the relief they sought. The same is true today regarding the significant concerns of our souls.