Why did Jesus use spit to heal people?

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The use of spit by Jesus in His healing miracles is a fascinating and somewhat perplexing aspect of the New Testament narratives. This essay explores the reasons why Jesus might have chosen to use spit in His healing processes, analyzing the cultural, theological, and symbolic dimensions, supported by references from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

Biblical Instances of Jesus Using Spit

There are three primary instances in the Gospels where Jesus uses spit to perform a healing miracle. These instances are significant and warrant close examination.

The Healing of the Blind Man in Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-25 (NKJV):

“Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, ‘I see men like trees, walking.’ Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”

The Healing of the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-7 (NKJV):

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”

The Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man

Mark 7:31-35 (NKJV):

“Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened.’ Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.”

Cultural and Historical Context

To understand why Jesus used spit in His healings, it is essential to consider the cultural and historical context of the time. Ancient literary works provide many examples of the use of saliva by physicians and supernatural healers who thought it possible to transfer healing from their bodies to the sick through their saliva (for example, Talmud Baba Bathra 126b, Soncino ed., p. 526).

Spit as a Symbol of Healing

In ancient cultures, including Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, saliva was sometimes considered to have healing properties. This belief is reflected in various historical texts and practices.

  • Jewish Tradition: While the Jewish tradition often considered spit to be unclean, there were instances where it was believed to have curative powers. The Talmud, for example, contains references to the use of saliva in healing (Bava Batra 126b).
  • Greco-Roman Beliefs: In the Greco-Roman world, saliva was often seen as having medicinal properties. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder mentioned the use of spit in treating certain ailments in his work “Natural History.”

By using spit, Jesus might have been engaging with these cultural understandings to communicate His healing power in a way that was relatable to the people of His time.

Theological and Symbolic Implications

Beyond cultural considerations, there are significant theological and symbolic implications to Jesus’ use of spit in His healings.

Demonstration of Jesus’ Authority and Divinity

By using spit, Jesus demonstrated His authority over physical ailments and the natural world. This method of healing was unconventional and highlighted His divine power.

John 9:3 (NKJV):

“Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.'”

Jesus’ use of spit was a visible sign that pointed to His identity as the Messiah and the divine healer. It was a tangible expression of the “works of God” being revealed through Him.

The Connection to Creation

In the healing of the man born blind (John 9), Jesus mixed His saliva with dirt to make clay, which He then used to anoint the man’s eyes. This act can be seen as a symbolic reference to the creation narrative in Genesis.

Genesis 2:7 (NKJV):

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

By using clay made from His saliva and the dust of the ground, Jesus was performing an act of re-creation. Just as God formed man from the dust, Jesus was restoring sight by combining earth and His divine essence.

Emphasis on the Physical and Spiritual

Jesus’ use of spit also emphasizes the connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of healing. The physical act of using saliva was accompanied by spiritual restoration and faith.

Mark 8:25 (NKJV):

“Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”

The physical healing was often a precursor to a deeper spiritual revelation, leading to a greater understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission.

The Role of Faith in Healing

Faith of the Healed

In the instances where Jesus used spit, the individuals’ faith played a crucial role in their healing. Their willingness to undergo such unconventional methods demonstrated their trust in Jesus.

John 9:7 (NKJV):

“And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”

The man born blind acted in faith by obeying Jesus’ command to wash in the pool of Siloam, resulting in his healing.

Public and Private Healings

Jesus’ use of spit in healing was often performed in a way that highlighted the personal and intimate nature of His miracles. For instance, He took the blind man in Bethsaida out of the town before healing him (Mark 8:23). This approach emphasized the personal connection between Jesus and the individual, underscoring the importance of a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus’ Use of Spit and Symbolism

Breaking Social and Religious Norms

Jesus often broke social and religious norms to reveal deeper spiritual truths. By using spit, He challenged the traditional views of purity and defilement.

Matthew 5:17 (NKJV):

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

Through His actions, Jesus demonstrated that true purity and healing come from God, not from adherence to ritualistic norms.

Humility and Incarnation

Jesus’ use of spit also reflects His humility and willingness to meet people in their brokenness. It signifies the incarnation—God becoming flesh and engaging with the material world to bring about redemption.

Philippians 2:7 (NKJV):

“But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

By using such a humble and seemingly base element as spit, Jesus highlighted the profound truth of God’s willingness to use the ordinary and mundane to accomplish extraordinary miracles.

Contemporary Reflections

Trust in Unconventional Methods

Believers today can draw lessons from Jesus’ use of spit in His healing miracles. It teaches us to trust in God’s methods, even when they seem unconventional or beyond our understanding.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV):

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'”

The Power of Jesus’ Touch

The use of spit, combined with Jesus’ touch, emphasizes the importance of His physical presence and the power of His touch in bringing about healing and restoration.

Matthew 8:3 (NKJV):

“Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Jesus’ touch was a conduit of divine power and compassion, illustrating the intimate and personal nature of His ministry.

Spiritual Cleansing and Renewal

Jesus’ actions also point to the spiritual cleansing and renewal available through Him. Just as He healed physical ailments, He offers spiritual healing and restoration to all who come to Him in faith.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV):

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Conclusion

Jesus’ use of spit in His healing miracles is a rich and multifaceted aspect of His ministry. Culturally, it engaged with contemporary beliefs about the healing properties of saliva. Theologically, it demonstrated His authority, highlighted the connection between the physical and spiritual, and pointed to His role as the divine healer. Symbolically, it reflected His humility, incarnation, and the profound truth that God can use ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary miracles. Through these acts, Jesus taught profound lessons about faith, trust, and the nature of His mission. Believers today can draw inspiration from these narratives, recognizing the power of Jesus’ touch, the importance of trusting in God’s methods, and the promise of spiritual renewal through faith in Him.

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team

BibleAsk
Author: BibleAsk

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