In the biblical context, spitting, particularly the use of spittle, is notably associated with the miraculous healings performed by Jesus Christ. The act of using spittle in healing is recorded in the Gospels and serves as a testament to Jesus' divine authority and compassion.

Biblical Accounts

1. Healing of the Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus encounters a blind man in the village of Bethsaida. The people bring the man to Jesus, imploring Him to touch him. Jesus takes the blind man by the hand and leads him out of the village. "He spit on the man's eyes and laid His hands on him. 'Can you see anything?' He asked" (Mark 8:23). The man initially sees people looking like trees walking around. Jesus places His hands on the man's eyes again, and his sight is fully restored. This two-step healing process highlights Jesus' personal and compassionate approach to healing, using spittle as a means to convey His power.

2. Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12)

Another significant instance is found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth. As Jesus and His disciples pass by, the disciples inquire about the cause of the man's blindness. Jesus responds that it is so "the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). Jesus then spits on the ground, makes mud with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes. He instructs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys and returns with his sight restored. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' authority over physical ailments but also serves as a profound spiritual metaphor for enlightenment and revelation.

Cultural and Theological Significance

In the ancient Near Eastern context, saliva was sometimes considered to have medicinal properties. However, Jesus' use of spittle transcends cultural practices, emphasizing His unique role as the divine healer. The use of spittle in these miracles is not merely a cultural accommodation but a deliberate act that underscores the incarnational aspect of Jesus' ministry—God working through tangible means to bring about healing and restoration.

Theologically, these acts of healing with spittle illustrate the intimate and personal nature of Jesus' miracles. They reflect His willingness to engage with the physical world and the individual needs of those He encounters. The use of spittle, a humble and earthly substance, highlights the mystery of the Incarnation—God's presence and power manifest in the ordinary and the mundane.

Interpretation and Reflection

For believers, these accounts of Jesus using spittle for healing invite reflection on the nature of faith and the means through which God chooses to work. They challenge the faithful to recognize the divine in the everyday and to trust in God's ability to bring about healing and transformation in unexpected ways. These narratives also encourage a deeper appreciation for the compassionate and personal nature of Jesus' ministry, as He meets individuals in their specific circumstances and provides for their needs with grace and power.Mark 7:33
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 8:23
And 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 ought.
Nave's Topical Index

The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers.
... smitten on the cheek: and by the Glory which endured spitting,. ... Edessa, hearing the
fame of the Lord Jesus, sent a ... this, by changing t into r in the verb used. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/iii the life as amplified by.htm

Why should we read the Bible / study the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus spit for some of His miracles? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Bible a fairy tale? | GotQuestions.org

Spitting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus