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.
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).
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.