Lexical Summary kóphos: Deaf, mute Original Word: κωφός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deaf, dumb, speechless. From kopto; blunted, i.e. (figuratively) of hearing (deaf) or speech (dumb) -- deaf, dumb, speechless. see GREEK kopto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition blunt, dull NASB Translation deaf (4), mute (6), mute man (3), one who (1), one who was deaf (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2974: κωφόςκωφός, κωφη, κωφόν (κόπτω to beat, pound), blunted, dull; properly, βέλος, Homer, Iliad 11, 390; hence a. blunted (or lamed) in tongue; dumb: Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:30; Luke 1:22; Luke 11:14 (Herodotus and following; the Sept. for אִלֵּם Habakkuk 2:18). b. blunted, dull, in hearing; deaf: Matthew 11:5; Mark 7:32, 37; Mark 9:25; Luke 7:22 (Homer h. Merc. 92; Aeschylus, Xenophon, Plato, and following; the Sept. for חֵרֵשׁ, Exodus 4:11; Isaiah 43:8; Psalm 37:14 The term appears fourteen times, exclusively in the Gospels. Its contexts fall into two broad categories: (1) summaries of Christ’s restorative mission (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22) and (2) narrative accounts of deliverance or healing (the remaining twelve references). These settings consistently portray the Messiah confronting both physical disability and demonic oppression, underscoring His comprehensive authority. Messianic Self-Identification When John the Baptist’s disciples sought confirmation of Jesus’ identity, the Lord cited Isaiah’s vision of a renewed creation: “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor” (Matthew 11:5). By listing restored hearing and speech, Jesus anchored His ministry in prophetic expectation (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5), assuring John that the promised kingdom was dawning in real time. Miracles of Restoration 1. Physical Impairment 2. Demonic Affliction Spiritual Deafness as a Moral Category While the word denotes literal loss of hearing or speech, the Evangelists employ the healings as enacted parables. Isaiah had indicted Israel for being “deaf” to God (Isaiah 42:18–20). By giving hearing to the physically impaired, Jesus dramatizes His ability to pierce spiritual dullness (compare Mark 8:17–18). Thus, every miracle serves both the sufferer’s need and the audience’s call to repentance and faith. Restoration to Community In first-century Judaism, those unable to speak or hear faced social and religious marginalization, limited participation in synagogue life, and scant economic opportunity. Jesus not only cures the infirmity but also re-integrates the individual: “The crowds were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’” (Matthew 9:33). Healing therefore functions as a sign of the kingdom’s inclusive fellowship—Jew and Gentile alike are welcomed once Christ removes the barriers imposed by sin and suffering. Implications for Christian Ministry 1. Holistic Compassion The Church is to proclaim the same gospel attested by visible acts of mercy (Luke 10:9). Ministry that ignores physical or social affliction fails to reflect the pattern of Christ. 2. Prayer and Expectation Because Scripture records Jesus’ consistent success over deafness and muteness, believers pray with confidence for God’s intervention, while submitting to His sovereign purposes (James 5:14–16). 3. Evangelism and Discipleship The healed testify immediately (Mark 7:36–37), modeling witness. Moreover, the pattern of ears opened parallels the necessity of God opening the heart to receive truth (Acts 16:14). Eschatological Anticipation Isaiah foresaw a day when “the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.” Each New Testament occurrence is a pledge of the final renewal when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The temporary, localized healings of Galilee foreshadow the universal, permanent restoration awaiting creation. Summary Across fourteen Gospel references, κωφός serves as a lens through which the reader beholds Messiah’s compassion, authority, and fulfillment of prophecy. Whether confronting natural infirmity or demonic oppression, Jesus reverses the curse, preaches good news, and inaugurates the age to come—inviting every generation to hear His voice and speak His praise. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:32 Adj-AMSGRK: αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον NAS: As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed KJV: to him a dumb man INT: to him a man mute possessed by a demon Matthew 9:33 Adj-NMS Matthew 11:5 Adj-NMP Matthew 12:22 Adj-AMS Matthew 12:22 Adj-AMS Matthew 15:30 Adj-AMP Matthew 15:31 Adj-AMP Mark 7:32 Adj-AMS Mark 7:37 Adj-AMP Mark 9:25 Adj-NNS Luke 1:22 Adj-NMS Luke 7:22 Adj-NMP Luke 11:14 Adj-NNS Luke 11:14 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 2974 |