Mark 7:35
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διηνοίχθησαν
were opened
G1272
διηνοίχθησαν
were opened
Strong's:
G1272
Word #:
3 of 16
to open thoroughly, literally (as a first-born) or figuratively (to expound)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεσμὸς
the string
G1199
δεσμὸς
the string
Strong's:
G1199
Word #:
10 of 16
a band, i.e., ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively, an impediment or disability
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γλώσσης
tongue
G1100
γλώσσης
tongue
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
12 of 16
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
This fulfills Isaiah 35:5-6: eyes of the blind opened, ears of the deaf unstopped, lame leaping, mute tongue singing. Isaiah prophesied messianic age markers—Jesus's healings authenticated His messianic identity. When John's disciples asked if Jesus was the Coming One, Jesus cited His healings (Matthew 11:4-5). The man's immediate, perfect speech testified to genuineness—no psychological explanation could account for instant transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does instant, complete healing illustrate that salvation is God's sovereign work, not human achievement?
- How does physical healing point to deeper spiritual healing from sin's bondage?
- What bonds in your life need Christ's liberating word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain—Mark's characteristic adverb emphasizes instantaneous healing. No gradual improvement—the ears were opened (passive voice: God acted), the tongue's bond was loosed. The imagery recalls Isaiah 58:6: loose the bonds of wickedness, let the oppressed go free. Jesus's healings embodied jubilee liberation—the Messiah releasing captives (Luke 4:18-19). Physical healings signaled deeper spiritual reality: Christ unbinds humanity from sin's bondage, opens deaf ears to God's voice, looses mute tongues to worship. He spake plain—clearly, correctly. This completeness characterizes all Jesus's healings—full renewal, previewing eschatological restoration when all creation is made new.