34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
This reminds us of Jesus looking up into heaven and blessing the bread in Mark 6:41 when he fed the five thousand.1 In this light, Jesus’ sighing was an emotional, prayer-like gesture—Jesus prayed for divine help before healing the man.2
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”