Matthew 9:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him.

NIV: While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.

NASB: And as they were going out, behold, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to Him.

CSB: Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him.

NLT: When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus.

KJV: As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

NKJV: As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.

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.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/6/2024 8:50:20 AM