Topical Encyclopedia In the New Testament, the miraculous healing of those who were mute or deaf is a significant aspect of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. These healings are not only acts of mercy but also serve as signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and revealing Jesus as the promised Messiah.One of the most notable accounts is found in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus heals a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd, puts His fingers into the man's ears, spits, and touches the man's tongue. Looking up to heaven, He sighs and says, "Ephphatha," which means "Be opened." Immediately, the man's ears are opened, his tongue is loosened, and he begins to speak plainly. The crowd is astonished and proclaims, "He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!" (Mark 7:37). Another significant healing is recorded in Matthew 9:32-33, where a demon-possessed man who was mute is brought to Jesus. After Jesus casts out the demon, the man speaks, and the crowds marvel, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel" (Matthew 9:33). This account highlights the spiritual dimension of some physical ailments and Jesus' authority over demonic forces. In Matthew 12:22, Jesus heals a man who is both blind and mute due to demonic oppression. Upon healing, the man speaks and sees, leading the people to wonder if Jesus could be the "Son of David," a messianic title (Matthew 12:23). This healing further emphasizes Jesus' role as the Messiah and His power to restore individuals completely. These miracles fulfill the prophetic words of Isaiah, who foretold that in the Messianic age, "the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy" (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus' healings are a testament to the inauguration of this new era, where physical and spiritual restoration is made possible through Him. The healings of the mute and deaf by Jesus are profound demonstrations of His compassion and divine authority. They invite believers to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and to have faith in His power to heal and restore. These accounts encourage Christians to seek Jesus for both physical and spiritual healing, trusting in His ability to transform lives. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 9:32,33As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 12:22 Matthew 15:30,31 Mark 7:37 Mark 9:17,25,26 Resources Who was Balaam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel? | GotQuestions.org What is naturalism? | GotQuestions.org Dumb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |