It is unclear whether Jesus spat on his own hands before touching the man, or directly onto the man’s tongue. The spittle of certain persons was considered by the Jews to have healing power, especially when it was accompanied by conversation, applied to the area of sickness or injury, and accompanied by a formula or prayer
.1
33 Il le prit à part loin de la foule, lui mit les doigts dans les oreilles, et lui toucha la langue avec sa propre salive;