Mark 7:24–37

The Faith of a Greek Woman

24Jesus went from there to a place near Tyre. He entered a house. He did not want anyone to know where he was. But he could not keep it a secret.

25Soon a woman heard about him. An evil spirit controlled her little daughter. The woman came to Jesus and fell at his feet. 26She was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs.”

28“Yes, Lord,” she replied. “But even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29Then he told her, “That was a good reply. You may go. The demon has left your daughter.”

30So she went home and found her child lying on the bed. And the demon was gone.

Jesus Heals a Man Who Could Not Hear or Speak

31Then Jesus left the area of Tyre and went through Sidon. He went down to the Sea of Galilee and into the area known as the Ten Cities.

32There some people brought a man to him. The man was deaf and could hardly speak. They begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33Jesus took the man to one side, away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34Jesus looked up to heaven. With a deep sigh, he said to the man, “Ephphatha!” That means “Be opened!” 35The man’s ears were opened. His tongue was freed up, and he began to speak clearly.

36Jesus ordered the people not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.

37People were really amazed. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes deaf people able to hear. And he makes those who can’t speak able to talk.”