Chapter

Luke 11:14

ESV Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
NIV Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.
NASB And He was casting out a mute demon; when the demon had gone out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked, and the crowds were amazed.
CSB Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed.
NLT One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed,
KJV And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
NKJV And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.

What does Luke 11:14 mean?

Jesus performed miracles for two reasons. First was to validate His teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived (Luke 10:9). Second was His compassion for people who suffer. That suffering was sometimes physical, due to living in a fallen world (Matthew 14:14). In other cases, it was spiritual suffering from abusive leaders (Matthew 15:14). In areas that outright reject Him, like His hometown of Nazareth, He does not perform many miracles (Mark 6:1–6). In this story, Jesus is ministering to a mixed crowd of Pharisees and laity; although they all "marvel," they do so for different reasons. Evidently some believe, wondering if He is the promised Messiah (Matthew 12:23). Others want to see more miracles before they make up their minds about who Jesus is (Luke 11:16).

Still others, scribes from Jerusalem (Mark 3:22), don't believe in Him at all. These scribes should know better. Isaiah 35:6 says the Messiah will cause "the tongue of the mute [to] sing for joy." Besides God's control of Ezekiel's speech, there is no account in the Bible of a prophet or apostle causing the mute to speak. Yet Jesus healed many who were mute (Matthew 9:32–34; 15:30–31; Mark 7:37; 9:14–27). Even more so, Matthew mentions that the man was also blind (Matthew 12:22). Isaiah 35:5 says, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened…" Again, no one else in the Bible is recorded as having healed the blind except God.

For some, the association of muteness with demonic oppression is confusing. Scripture is not teaching that demons cause all muteness. Nor does it mean that people considered "non-verbal" are possessed. In the case described, a man was made mute by a demon and Jesus healed him. In fact, the Greek syntax here uses "mute" to describe the demon: it is a daimonion kōphon.
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Context Summary
Luke 11:14–20 is the first of several stories that describe the Pharisees' rejection of their Messiah and their coming judgment, in contrast to the disciples' acceptance and blessing (Luke 11:14–54). The scribes, or lawyers, of the Pharisees have come from Jerusalem (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22) and determine that Jesus expels demons through the power of Beelzebul—Satan. Jesus responds by explaining the true nature of demons and their relationship with humans. Matthew 12:22–30 and Mark 3:22–27 cover the same accusation, but they also go on to address blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–30).
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Chapter Summary
Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and explains God's intent to give "good" to those who ask. He then exorcizes a demon and refutes the claim that His power is satanic. Jesus explains that unreasonable skeptics will only see the "sign of Jonah." He then criticizes the superficial legalism of the Pharisees. In response, they plot against Him.
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