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

MATTHEW 9:32KJV
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Matthew 9:32 (KJV)

What does Matthew 9:32 mean?

Matthew 9:32 describes how, as Jesus and his followers were leaving, some people brought to Jesus a man who could not speak because he was possessed by an evil spirit. The verse sets up the next event, where Jesus will respond to this man’s need.

In this scene, Matthew is narrating what happened as Jesus was moving from one place to another. The focus is on the arrival of a man who is both mute and suffering from spiritual oppression. This introduction highlights both the man’s helplessness and the expectation that Jesus can do something about his condition.

The Greek behind Matthew 9:32

  • "δαιμονιζόμενον" (daimonizomenon, translated here as "possessed with a devil") refers to someone under the influence or control of an evil spirit. In the context of the Gospels, this often means a person is experiencing physical or mental distress connected to this spiritual oppression.
  • "κωφὸν" (kōphon, translated here as "dumb") means unable to speak, but in Greek it can also refer to being deaf. Here, the emphasis is on the man’s inability to speak, which is linked to the spiritual problem.

Why Matthew 9:32 matters

  • Matthew 9:32 highlights the connection in the Gospels between physical suffering and spiritual oppression, showing that Jesus is approached for both kinds of needs.
  • This verse sets up a pattern seen throughout Matthew, where people bring those in desperate situations to Jesus, emphasizing his reputation as a healer and deliverer.
  • The detail that the man is brought to Jesus by others underlines the community’s role in seeking help for those who cannot seek it themselves.

Where else these words appear

“dumb” Greek G2974 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 9:33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
  • Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
  • Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

“devil” Greek G1139 · used in 13 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

“brought” Greek G4374 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Mark 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.