Matthew 9:32-33
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The text focuses on the man’s silence, but the original Greek word translated as "dumb" also means "deaf." This suggests that the demon not only stole his voice but also cut him off from hearing, a profound isolation that made him utterly dependent on others to bring him to Jesus.
As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus heals two blind men, they are departing, and a man tormented by a demon, unable to speak, is brought to him. This incident immediately follows the healing of the blind men and occurs just before the Pharisees will accuse Jesus of casting out demons by demonic power, an accusation that is potentially an interpolation here but reflects the escalating conflict. The man's muteness is presented not as a natural affliction but as a direct result of demonic possession.
This man couldn't speak, not because of a physical issue, but due to a deeper oppression. What does it mean to be 'demon-oppressed'?
This verse introduces a man whose inability to speak, his 'dumbness,' wasn't a natural condition but a direct result of a spiritual attack.
A Spiritual Diagnosis
The Bible describes 'demon possession' or 'demonization' as a state where an evil spiritual entity exerts influence or control over a person. In this man's case, the oppression manifested as muteness. This wasn't just an inability to talk; it was a silencing imposed by an external force.
Satan's Strategy
Notice how the enemy often works to isolate and incapacitate. By rendering the man mute, Satan not only robbed him of communication but likely also hid his own influence behind what might seem like a natural disability or even mental illness. It's a subtle way evil tries to obscure its presence and prevent a person from seeking help or expressing their need.
This man couldn't bring himself to Jesus. He was brought by others. What does this tell us about his state and the role of community?
The fact that this man 'was brought to him' by others is incredibly significant. It points to his profound helplessness and the critical role of community in seeking spiritual help.
The Helplessness of Oppression
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Being 'demon-oppressed' often robs individuals of their own agency. If the spirit controlling him prevented him from speaking, it's highly probable it also paralyzed his will to seek help independently. He was likely unable to articulate his need or even to initiate the journey to Jesus.
The Power of Witness and Action
Those who brought him to Jesus understood his dire condition, perhaps witnessing his suffering or hearing about Jesus's healing power. Their action demonstrates that faith isn't always passive; sometimes, it's active and intercessory. They recognized a need that the afflicted couldn't address themselves and took the initiative to bring him into the presence of the Healer.
Understand the original words
daimonizomai · Greek Participle (Adjective)
A person or individual subject to the control, influence, or torment of an evil spirit (demon). In the New Testament, this often manifests as physical or mental affliction caused by demonic activity.
kōphos · Greek Adjective
Lacking the power of speech, either through physical disability or, as in this context, as a result of demonic possession. It symbolizes a state of being unable to communicate or testify.
ekballō · Greek Verb
To expel or drive out an evil spirit through the authority of God or, specifically in the Gospels, through the authority and power of Jesus Christ.
thaumazō · Greek Verb
To be filled with amazement or astonishment, often in reaction to a divine manifestation, miracle, or the teaching of Jesus; it denotes a profound sense of awe.
Israēl · Greek Noun
A term used for the people of God, the covenant nation descended from Jacob, set apart to be a light to the nations and the historical context for the coming of the Messiah.
This healing occurs in a bustling period of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, surrounded by crowds witnessing His power. It highlights the spiritual oppression people faced and the immediate opposition from religious leaders who refused to acknowledge God's work.
Late 1st century BC - Early 1st century AD
Roman Influence in Judea
Rome exerted increasing political and economic control over Judea, often installing client kings and increasing taxes. This created social unrest and a desire for a divinely appointed liberator.
c. AD 27-30
John the Baptist's Ministry
John's preaching of repentance and baptism in the wilderness prepared the way for Jesus' public ministry, calling people to recognize their spiritual needs and anticipate God's kingdom.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Begins
Jesus began teaching, healing, and calling disciples in Galilee, attracting large crowds with His miracles and authoritative message about the Kingdom of Heaven.
c. AD 30
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Jesus miraculously restored sight to two blind men, who then followed Him, demonstrating His power over physical and spiritual ailments.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Heals a Mute Demoniac
Immediately after healing the blind men, Jesus was presented with a man unable to speak because he was oppressed by a demon, whom Jesus cast out.
c. AD 30
Pharisees Accuse Jesus
Despite the clear evidence of Jesus' power, the religious leaders accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan, revealing their hardened hearts and opposition.
This passage describes a father bringing his son who is afflicted with a similar condition – a spirit that makes him mute and causes him to fall into fits, highlighting the recurring nature of such demon-induced ailments.
Luke 11:14This verse presents a very similar account of Jesus casting out a mute demon, emphasizing that these afflictions were understood as spiritual oppression and that Jesus' power over them was unmistakable.
Matthew 12:22Here, Jesus heals a man who is both blind and mute due to demon possession, showing that the effects of these spirits could manifest in multiple ways, and Jesus' healing power was comprehensive.
1 Corinthians 12:2This passage speaks about being led astray to mute idols, drawing a conceptual parallel between spiritual oppression that silences and the spiritual emptiness of idolatry where there is no response.
bensonMatthew 9:32: "As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil."
Matthew 9:32-34 . As they went out — Namely, the men that had been blind; behold, they brought to him a dumb man — Whose dumbness was owing to his being possessed with a devil. From the circumstance of this demoniac’s being dumb, Erasmus conjectures that he was also deprived of the use of his reason. If so, being insensible of his own misery, he had as little inclination as ability to apply for a cu…
clarkeMatthew 9:32: "As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil."
A dumb man possessed with a devil - Some demons rendered the persons they possessed paralytic, some blind, others dumb, etc. It was the interest of Satan to hide his influences under the appearance of natural disorders. A man who does not acknowledge his sin to God, who prays not for salvation, who returns no praises for the mercies he is continually receiving, may well be said to be possessed with…
The text focuses on the man’s silence, but the original Greek word translated as "dumb" also means "deaf." This suggests that the demon not only stole his voice but also cut him off from hearing, a profound isolation that made him utterly dependent on others to bring him to Jesus.
As Jesus heals two blind men, they are departing, and a man tormented by a demon, unable to speak, is brought to him. This incident immediately follows the healing of the blind men and occurs just before the Pharisees will accuse Jesus of casting out demons by demonic power, an accusation that is potentially an interpolation here but reflects the escalating conflict. The man's muteness is presented not as a natural affliction but as a direct result of demonic possession.
As Jesus heals two blind men, they are departing, and a man tormented by a demon, unable to speak, is brought to him. This incident immediately follows the healing of the blind men and occurs just before the Pharisees will accuse Jesus of casting out demons by demonic power, an accusation that is potentially an interpolation here but reflects the escalating conflict. The man's muteness is presented not as a natural affliction but as a direct result of demonic possession.
"As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”" — The text focuses on the man’s silence, but the original Greek word translated as "dumb" also means "deaf." This suggests that the demon not only stole his voice but also cut him off from hearing, a p…
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Last reviewed October 2026
