Matthew 9 32

Matthew 9:32 kjv

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

Matthew 9:32 nkjv

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

Matthew 9:32 niv

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

Matthew 9:32 esv

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

Matthew 9:32 nlt

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

Matthew 9 32 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Mt 12:22Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus... he spoke and saw.Similar healing, later event.
Lk 11:14Now Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute... the mute man spoke.Parallel account of a mute demon-possessed man healed.
Mk 1:27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves... “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”Jesus' authority over demons observed by crowds.
Lk 4:36And they were all amazed... “With authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”People acknowledge Jesus' authority over evil spirits.
Mk 3:22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”Scribal accusation, direct polemic to demon expulsion.
Jn 7:31Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”People link Jesus' signs to Messianic expectation.
Acts 10:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.Summary of Jesus' ministry, including deliverance from satanic oppression.
Jas 2:19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!Demons acknowledge God's power, tremble before it.
1 Jn 3:8The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.Purpose of Jesus' coming: nullifying the devil's works.
Is 35:5-6Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap... and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.Prophetic fulfillment: healing of mute and others in Messiah's coming.
Ex 4:11Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?”God's sovereignty over speech and senses, contrast to demonic affliction.
Ps 146:8The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.God's restorative power over physical infirmities.
Mk 7:32-35And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment... And his ears were opened, his tongue was released... he spoke plainly.Jesus heals a man with a physical speech impediment and deafness, demonstrating a similar miracle, though not attributed to demon possession.
Mt 8:16That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.Jesus' widespread ministry of casting out demons with just a word.
Lk 13:16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?Jesus attributes an 18-year illness to Satan's binding power.
Mt 4:24So his fame spread throughout all Syria... those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics—and he healed them.Broad scope of Jesus' healing and deliverance ministry.
Acts 19:15-16But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped... and overpowered them.Demons recognize legitimate authority (Jesus, Paul) and challenge imposters.
Lk 10:17The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”Jesus' authority extended to His disciples to cast out demons.
Is 42:7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.Messianic prophecy of deliverance, including physical and spiritual liberation.
Mt 9:8When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.Immediate reaction of the crowds to Jesus' earlier healing.
Mt 9:33And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”Immediate consequence and crowd's astonishment following the healing in Mt 9:32.

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 32 Meaning

Mt 9:32 describes a moment immediately after Jesus heals two blind men, when He is met with another afflicted individual: a man unable to speak because he is demon-possessed. Jesus instantly casts out the demon, and the man immediately regains his ability to speak. This event serves as a powerful display of Jesus' authority over both physical ailments and demonic forces, directly demonstrating His divine power.

Matthew 9 32 Context

Mt 9:32 occurs within a rapid succession of miracle accounts that immediately follow the call of Matthew and Jesus' teaching about fasting and new wineskins. Chapter 9 vividly illustrates Jesus' authority over various afflictions: paralytic's sin and body (v. 1-8), the sick needing a physician (v. 12), defilement (v. 20-22), death (v. 23-26), and blindness (v. 27-31). This particular incident of healing the mute, demon-possessed man immediately follows the healing of two blind men and directly precedes the Pharisees' accusation of Beelzebul (v. 34). This clustering of powerful miracles is intended by Matthew to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of Jesus' Messianic authority and power, validating His identity to the Jewish audience, while also building tension with the religious leaders who increasingly oppose Him despite such compelling evidence.

Matthew 9 32 Word analysis

  • As they went out (Ἐξερχομένων αὐτῶν - exerchomenōn autōn): This phrase indicates the immediate aftermath of Jesus' previous miracle (healing the two blind men in v. 27-31). It suggests a continuous flow of people approaching Jesus, highlighting His constant availability and the constant need for His healing power as He moved about.
  • Behold (Καὶ ἰδοὺ - kai idou): A common interjection in the Gospels, used to draw immediate attention to a new, significant, and often striking event. It emphasizes the unexpected or noteworthy nature of what is about to happen, creating a sense of immediacy and drama.
  • a mute man (ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν - anthrōpon kōphon): While kōphos can mean "deaf," in this context, where the man spoke after healing, it primarily denotes inability to speak or "mute." Ancient understanding often linked deafness and muteness, as one typically learns to speak by hearing. This term defines his primary affliction before healing.
  • demon-possessed (δαιμονιζόμενον - daimonizomenon): This specific term indicates that the man's muteness was not due to a physical birth defect or illness, but caused by an unclean spirit. It distinguishes this healing from purely physical cures and emphasizes Jesus' spiritual authority. In the cultural context, many physical ailments were attributed to demonic influence.
  • was brought (προσήνεγκαν - prosenegkan): Implying that others brought him to Jesus, showcasing the faith, hope, or desperation of the community or family members. This mirrors many instances where others interceded on behalf of the afflicted, such as the paralytic lowered through the roof (Mk 2:4).
  • to Him (αὐτῷ - autō): Specifically refers to Jesus. It emphasizes that Jesus is the one with the unique power and authority to address such a profound affliction.

Words-group analysis

  • "As they went out, behold, a mute man demon-possessed": This entire phrase sets the scene immediately. The transition "as they went out" implies an unstoppable, almost seamless progression of divine power; as soon as one miracle concludes, another needy individual appears. "Behold" heightens the moment. The key revelation is that the man's muteness is caused by demon possession, indicating that this is not merely a physical malady but a spiritual bondage, directly challenging Jesus' spiritual authority. This distinguishes this event from simple physical healing and highlights the depth of the power required to deliver him. The immediate cause for speech impediment (demon-possession) further enhances Jesus’ authority by showing His mastery over not just physical conditions, but the unseen forces of evil that inflict them. This was a clear sign for those seeking the Messiah.
  • "brought to Him": This phrase underscores the human agency involved in bringing the afflicted to Jesus. It signifies a public acknowledgment of Jesus' reputation and ability to heal, a shared act of faith or urgent hope on the part of those accompanying the man.

Matthew 9 32 Bonus section

This incident of the mute, demon-possessed man holds significant theological weight in highlighting the pervasive nature of evil's influence, extending even to physical impairments. While not all illness is attributed to demon possession in the Bible, this specific case, along with others (like the blind and mute man in Mt 12:22 or the woman with an eighteen-year disabling spirit in Lk 13:11), indicates that some physical ailments are indeed direct manifestations of demonic activity. Jesus' actions serve as a preview of the complete reversal of Satan's kingdom, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God has arrived, bringing liberation and restoration. The ease with which Jesus casts out the demon ("when the demon had been cast out," without any recorded struggle or command other than the implied act of healing) underscores His supreme authority. It reflects His identity as stronger than the strong man (Mk 3:27), binding him and plundering his goods.

Matthew 9 32 Commentary

Matthew 9:32 presents Jesus confronting not just a physical affliction, but its spiritual root cause. The man's muteness was a direct symptom of demonic possession, a significant detail that elevates this miracle beyond a simple medical cure. Jesus' immediate expulsion of the demon, followed by the instant restoration of speech, demonstrates His absolute and unchallenged authority over the unseen world of spirits. This power signifies His identity as the Son of God, the One who came to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 Jn 3:8). The event would have profoundly impressed the Jewish audience, who keenly understood demonic influence, solidifying their belief in Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, who was to open the mouths of the mute (Is 35:5-6). It is an act of liberation, showcasing compassion for the suffering and demonstrating divine dominion over both physical and spiritual realms, compelling those who witnessed it to acknowledge that "Never was anything like this seen in Israel" (Mt 9:33). This powerful demonstration of divine authority, however, also serves to heighten the religious leaders' rejection, setting the stage for their infamous accusation in the following verse.