And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
Our Lord Jesus seldom staid long in a place, for he knew where his work lay, and attended the changes of it. When he had cured the woman of Canaan's daughter, he had done what he had to do in that place, and therefore presently left those parts, and returned to the sea of Galilee, whereabout his usual residence was; yet he did not come...
Commenting on Mark 7:31-37
And straightway his ears were opened,.... It is in the Greek text, "his hearings"; the instruments of his hearing, and so rightly rendered, "his ears": the Persic version reads, "both his ears"; but the word "both" is unnecessary, since the word, "ears", takes in both.
Verse 34. Looking up to heaven. To lift up the eyes to heaven is an act imploring aid from God, and denotes an attitude of prayer, . He sighed. Pitying the sufferings of the man who stood before him, Ephphatha. This word is Syriac, the language which our Lord used in addressing the man, and means, "Be opened." (g) "And looking up to heaven" (h) "he sighed"