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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Mark 7:31-37

The Healing of the Deaf Man (Ephphatha)

August 23, 2026

Christ Healing the Deaf-Mute, Philippe de Champaigne
Christ Healing the Deaf-Mute, Philippe de Champaigne, 17th centuryUniversity of Michigan Museum of Art
Champaigne paints the moment of the touch plainly, with the crowd kept back and the two figures close together.He put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue, and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, be opened.Philippe de ChampaigneA Brussels-born painter who became the portraitist of Richelieu and of Port-Royal, and whose style grew plainer as his Jansenism deepened.University of Michigan Museum of ArtA university museum in Ann Arbor, free to enter, with a collection used for teaching across the campus.University of Michigan Museum of Art
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMark 7:31-37Mk 7:31-37
Epistle2 Cor. 3:4-112 Cor 3:4-11Alt. EpistleRom. 10:9-17Rom 10:9-17
Old TestamentIsa. 29:17-24Is 29:17-24
PsalterPs. 146Ps 146

Overview & Insights

"He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mark 7:37)

In the Decapolis a deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus, who takes him aside, touches his ears and tongue, and says Ephphatha, be opened. The man's hearing and speech are restored, and the astonished crowd cannot keep from proclaiming what Jesus has done.

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Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Mark Chapter 7Enduring Word Bible Commentary Mk Chapter 7 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the healing of the deaf and mute man in the Decapolis.

Mark 7:31 CommentariesMk 7:31 Commentaries BibleHub

A stack of classic commentators such as Barnes, Gill, and the Pulpit Commentary on the Ephphatha healing.

Mark 7 CommentaryMk 7 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies, quotations, and cross references worked verse by verse through the chapter.

Commentary on Mark 7:24-37Commentary on Mk 7:24-37 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis that reads the Gentile crowd's Isaiah-shaped acclaim over the opening of the deaf man's ears.

Mark 7:24-37 CommentaryMk 7:24-37 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary on Jesus crossing into Gentile territory to heal and be praised.

Background & Word Study

Book of Mark OverviewBook of Mk Overview BibleProject

An animated walk through Mark's structure and themes to place the deaf man's healing in the whole Gospel.

Mark 7:31 Greek InterlinearMk 7:31 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for Ephphatha, the sighing, and speaking plainly.

The Church Fathers

Commentary on Mark 7 from the Church FathersCommentary on Mk 7 from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic and medieval comment gathered verse by verse on the opening of the deaf man's ears.

Sermons & Reflections

Mark 7:31-37Mk 7:31-37 Sacred Space · Irish Jesuits

An Irish Jesuit guided prayer through the opening of the deaf man's ears and the crowd's wonder.

Podcast

Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Twelfth Sunday after Trinity - Dr. John Bombaro, 8/17/26 (2291)Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Twelfth Sunday after Trinity - Dr. Jn Bombaro, 8/17/26 (2291) Issues, Etc.

Issues, Etc. talks a pastor through the historic one-year propers for this Sunday, including Mark 7:31-37.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for the readings across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Lectionary, Scripture, and Art Index Textweek

A curated index of commentaries, art, and sermon helps searchable by scripture across traditions (a few links may be dated).

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