Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 7:37

37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well, he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

This History is recorded by Mark only. And again departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. We heard v. 24. of his going into those Coasts, some think that our Saviour did not go out of the Jewish country, tho he went to the Coasts of Tyre and Sidon, which were Pagan Countries, he came to the Sea of Galilee, through the midst of the Coasts of Decapolis. That Decapolis was an Union of ten Cities so called, is plain by the Name, but what those Cities were, and whether they lay on the same side of Iordan, that Galilee did, or on the other side of Iordan, is disputed: most think they lay on the Galilean side. One that was Deaf, and had an Impediment in his Speech. Some think that he was Dumb, but the Word signifies one that spake with difficulty, so as it is likely his Deafness, was not natural (for all naturally Deaf, are also Dumb; we learning to Speak by hearing) besides that it is said after the cure, that he spake plain, it was probably an accidental Deafness happening to him, after that he could speak. Their beseeching Christ to put his hand upon him, proceeded from their observation of him very often to use that rite in his healing sick Persons. And he took him aside from the M[illegible: 2 letters]titude, not seeking his own Glory, and Ostentation, and put his finger into his Ears, and spit, and touched his Tongue. All these things were ex abundanti, not necessary actions, or naturally efficacious for his cure, but our Lord sometimes used no Signs, or Rites, sometimes these, sometims others, as it pleased him, And looking up to Heaven, he sighed, pitying the condition of humane nature, subject to so many Miseries, Defects and Infirmities, and saith, Ephphatha, that is, be opened. By the Word of his Power, he made the World, and by the Word of his Power, he upholds it, and by the same Word of his Power, he restoreth any lapsed, or decayed part of it. He speaks, and it is done. And straightway his Ears were opened. Nature obeyeth the God of Nature. Concerning his Charge of them not to publish it, and their disobedience to it, I have had occasion once and again to speak, and must confess I can neither satisfie my self in the reason from my own thoughts, nor from what I read in others. This Miracle hath no other effect than the People, Astonishment, and Confession, that what he did was well done; which was the common effect of Christs Preaching, and Miracles upon the most.