He has done all things well. (Mk. 7:31-37)

Jesus has returned to the Decapolis, one of ten culturally Greek cities. Friends bring Jesus a man who was deaf and mute.  This particular healing is very different from others. Jesus does not merely lay his hands on the person or speak words of healing.  Jesus pulls the man aside, groans, spits, touches the man’s tongue and then declares “Be opened!” Though there is a certain mystery to his actions, Jesus clearly wishes to make this encounter very personal and meaningful to the man. He commands that they remain silent about the encounter, as is typical in Mark, yet they proclaim widely what has happened. The healing of this man and the Syrophoenician woman makes clear that the Kingdom of God will be for all peoples.