Matthew 9:32

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G1161} they {G846} went out {G1831}, behold {G2400}, they brought {G4374} to him {G846} a dumb {G2974} man {G444} possessed with a devil {G1139}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As they were going, a man controlled by a demon and unable to speak was brought to Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus.

American Standard Version

And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:32 presents a succinct yet profound scene immediately following Jesus' healing of two blind men, marking another powerful demonstration of His divine authority. As Jesus and His disciples depart from the previous miracle, a mute man, afflicted by demonic possession, is brought to Him, setting the stage for a further display of Christ's dominion over both physical ailments and malevolent spiritual forces in Galilee.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Matthew's Gospel, directly following the miraculous healing of two blind men in [Matthew 9:27-31](/matthew/9-27-31 "Matthew 9:27-31 - Jesus Heals Two Blind Men"). The phrase "As they went out" serves as a direct narrative link, emphasizing the immediate succession of Jesus' powerful acts. This rapid sequence of miracles—from healing physical blindness to casting out a demon that caused muteness—underscores the breadth and intensity of Jesus' ministry. It highlights a period where Jesus' fame was rapidly spreading, leading people to actively seek Him out for healing and deliverance, showcasing the escalating public response to His presence and power. The narrative flow in [Matthew 9](/matthew/9 "Matthew 9 - Jesus' Authority and Compassion") consistently portrays Jesus as the authoritative Messiah, capable of addressing every form of human brokenness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, illness and disability were often attributed to sin or demonic influence, a belief system that added a layer of social stigma to physical suffering. While not all ailments were demonically caused, the case of the "dumb man possessed with a devil" clearly links his muteness to a spiritual affliction, reflecting a common understanding of the time. Galilee, a region often viewed with some disdain by the religious elite in Jerusalem, was nevertheless a vibrant area where diverse populations mingled. Jesus' ministry here, characterized by public healings and exorcisms, directly challenged the prevailing spiritual darkness and offered tangible hope to a people often marginalized and oppressed. The act of "bringing" the afflicted to Jesus signifies a deeply ingrained cultural practice of seeking out healers and prophets, a testament to the community's desperation and their nascent faith in Jesus' unique power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Primarily, it powerfully reinforces **Jesus' absolute authority over demonic forces**, demonstrating that His dominion extends beyond physical illnesses to the very spiritual powers of darkness. The direct causal link between the demon and the man's muteness highlights that evil spirits are real and can inflict tangible harm, a theme seen elsewhere when Jesus casts out demons from the [Gerasene demoniacs](/matthew/8-28-34 "Matthew 8:28-34 - Jesus Casts Out Demons into Swine"). Secondly, the theme of **compassion and accessibility** is evident; the fact that the man was "brought to him" underscores the community's earnest desire for healing and Jesus' unwavering readiness to receive and deliver all who seek Him. This aligns with Jesus' broader mission to minister to the sick, the outcast, and the oppressed, embodying the very heart of God's love for humanity. Lastly, the incident implicitly reveals the **manifestation of evil**, illustrating how demonic influence can severely impair human function and communication, thereby emphasizing the destructive nature of spiritual oppression and the urgent need for divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dumb (Greek, _kōphós'_):** This adjective, derived from a root meaning "to blunt" or "to strike," describes someone who is deaf or mute. In this specific context, given the man's subsequent ability to speak (as seen in [Matthew 9:33](/matthew/9-33 "Matthew 9:33 - The Mute Man Speaks")), it clearly refers to his inability to speak, indicating muteness. The term highlights a significant communicative impairment directly linked to his spiritual affliction.
* **behold (Greek, _idoú'_):** A common interjection in the Gospels, this word functions as an imperative, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It signals a sudden or remarkable event, inviting the reader to pause and witness the unfolding drama. Here, "behold" emphasizes the significance and unexpected nature of the arrival of the demon-possessed mute man, setting a dramatic tone for the miracle about to occur.
* **possessed with a devil (Greek, _daimonízomai'_):** This verb, in the present participle form, describes the state of being under the influence or control of a demon or evil spirit. It denotes a condition of being "exercised by a daemon," indicating that the man's muteness was not merely a physical ailment but a direct result of spiritual oppression. This term distinguishes the man's condition from ordinary illness, pointing to a supernatural cause for his affliction and underscoring the spiritual battle Jesus was engaged in.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As they went out,"**: This phrase serves as a temporal and transitional connector, indicating that the events of Matthew 9:32 immediately follow the previous narrative, specifically Jesus' healing of the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31). It implies a continuous flow of ministry and the constant presence of crowds seeking Jesus.
* **"behold,"**: This interjection acts as a dramatic marker, drawing the reader's attention to the sudden and significant event that is about to unfold. It emphasizes the immediate and striking nature of what is presented to Jesus, signaling the arrival of a new case for His divine intervention.
* **"they brought to him a dumb man"**: This clause highlights the compassionate act of those around the afflicted man, demonstrating their faith or desperation in bringing him to Jesus. The description "dumb man" explicitly states his physical inability to speak, setting the stage for the miracle of restoration.
* **"possessed with a devil."**: This critical phrase reveals the underlying cause of the man's muteness. It clarifies that his inability to speak was not a natural physical defect but a direct manifestation of demonic oppression. This immediately elevates the upcoming miracle from a simple physical healing to a profound spiritual deliverance, showcasing Jesus' authority over the kingdom of darkness.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:32 effectively employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Juxtaposition** is prominent, as this incident immediately follows the healing of the blind men, creating a rapid succession of miracles that highlight the diverse nature of Jesus' power. The use of "behold" acts as a **dramatic marker**, drawing the reader's attention and emphasizing the suddenness and significance of the man's arrival. There is also an element of **contrast** between the man's inability to speak ("dumb") and the powerful, authoritative words Jesus is about to speak to cast out the demon (implied by the subsequent verse, [Matthew 9:33](/matthew/9-33 "Matthew 9:33 - The Mute Man Speaks")). This sets up a powerful demonstration of divine speech overcoming demonic silencing. Furthermore, the scene contributes to the broader **typology** of Jesus as the ultimate deliverer, echoing Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah bringing healing and liberation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:32 powerfully underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' redemptive work, which extends beyond physical ailments to confront and conquer spiritual strongholds. The man's muteness, directly attributed to demonic possession, reveals the insidious impact of evil forces on human life, manifesting in tangible physical and communicative impairments. This incident is a vivid theological statement that the Kingdom of God, embodied in Jesus, is actively invading the kingdom of darkness, bringing liberation and restoration. It affirms Jesus' unique authority as the Son of God, capable of delivering humanity from every form of bondage—physical, emotional, and spiritual—and establishing His righteous reign.

* [Matthew 8:28-34](/matthew/8-28-34 "Matthew 8:28-34 - Jesus Casts Out Demons in the Gadarenes"): Jesus demonstrates His absolute authority over a legion of demons, sending them into a herd of pigs.
* [Mark 1:23-27](/mark/1-23-27 "Mark 1:23-27 - Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit in Capernaum"): An unclean spirit recognizes Jesus' identity and is commanded to come out, showcasing Jesus' power even over spirits that acknowledge Him.
* [Luke 11:14-20](/luke/11-14-20 "Luke 11:14-20 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon"): Jesus casts out a demon that causes muteness, leading to accusations that He casts out demons by Beelzebul, which Jesus refutes by declaring the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:32 serves as a profound reminder that Jesus' ministry addresses the full spectrum of human brokenness, encompassing not only physical afflictions but also the deeper, often unseen, spiritual battles. The "dumb man possessed with a devil" represents any area of our lives where we feel silenced, oppressed, or unable to express the truth of God due to spiritual bondage or personal brokenness. This passage encourages us to bring our own "dumbness"—whether it's the inability to speak truth, to praise God freely, or to share the Gospel—and any form of spiritual oppression or physical ailment directly to Jesus. His compassion is boundless, and His power is absolute, capable of healing, delivering, and restoring us to wholeness. It also calls us to acknowledge the reality of spiritual warfare in our world and to stand firm in the ultimate triumph of Christ over all forces of darkness, knowing that He has already secured the victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dumbness" or areas of spiritual oppression might I be experiencing that I need to bring before Jesus for healing and deliverance?**
* **How does Jesus' authority over demons in this passage strengthen my faith in His power to overcome challenges in my own life and in the world?**
* **In what ways can I, like those who brought the man to Jesus, be an instrument of compassion and help others encounter Christ's healing power?**

### FAQ
**Was the man's muteness a physical condition or solely caused by the demon?**

Answer: The text explicitly states that the man was "possessed with a devil," and it was this demonic presence that caused his muteness. While physical conditions can cause muteness, in this specific biblical account, the cause is clearly identified as spiritual. The subsequent verse, [Matthew 9:33](/matthew/9-33 "Matthew 9:33 - The Mute Man Speaks"), confirms this by stating that "when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake," indicating that the removal of the demon directly restored his ability to speak. This highlights Jesus' authority over spiritual forces that inflict physical ailments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:32, though a brief narrative, powerfully prefigures the comprehensive victory of Christ over the forces of sin, death, and the devil. The "dumb man possessed with a devil" represents humanity's fallen state, silenced and bound by the dominion of darkness. Jesus' act of casting out the demon and restoring the man's speech is a tangible manifestation of His ultimate mission: to destroy the works of the devil, as prophesied in [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Christ to Destroy the Works of the Devil"). He is the stronger man, who binds the strong man and plunders his house, as seen in [Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Binding the Strong Man"). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus decisively triumphed over every principality and power, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). This specific miracle in Matthew's Gospel is a microcosm of the grand redemption narrative, where the true Light of the world, Jesus Christ, enters the darkness to set the captives free, offering not just physical healing but spiritual liberation and the restoration of humanity's voice to declare God's praise (cf. [Isaiah 35:6](/isaiah/35-6 "Isaiah 35:6 - The Mute Will Sing")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Luke 11:14

¶ 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.

Matthew 12:22

¶ Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Matthew 12:24

But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Mark 9:17

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Mark 9:27

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.