What does Matthew 9:32 mean?
Christ has just restored the sight of two blind men (Matthew 9:27–31). This is possibly the same day that Jesus healed the woman who touched His cloak and raised to life the dead girl (Matthew 9:18–26). If so, then what is about to happen marks the fourth major and awe-inspiring healing miracle Jesus will have accomplished in back-to-back fashion. Each one is unique and points to Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God in a specific way (John 20:30–31).As Jesus and His group are walking out the door, someone brings in a demon-oppressed man who is mute. Specifically, the demon oppressing the man was causing him to be unable to speak. Demons were understood as a fact of life in Jesus' day. Those who attempted to cast them out often faced great difficulty in doing so. The fact that Jesus could simply order them to leave impressed everyone who saw it of His great power.
Matthew 9:27–34 describes the healing of two blind men and one mute man. The blind men follow Jesus in the crowd, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." They believe Jesus is the Messiah and that He can make them see. Jesus does so, but they disobey His command not to tell anyone. Next, a demon-oppressed man is brought to Jesus. The demon has made the man unable to speak. Jesus casts out the demon, and the man starts talking. The crowds marvel at this, but the Pharisees decide Jesus' power over demons comes from Satan.
Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.
