Note 1 at Mk. 7:35: There are three other instances recorded in scripture where Jesus healed dumbness (Mt. 9:32-33; Lk. 11:14 [same instance]; Mt. 12:22; Mk. 9:25). There is only one other instance of deafness and dumbness being healed at the same time (Mk. 9:25). In these three other examples, demons were cast out to effect the cure. In this case, it is not clear that there was a demon present. The Greek word "desmos" used for "string" in this verse (see ref. n), might imply demonic activity as in the other examples.