Q: In Matthew 9:32, a mute man is depicted as being demon-possessed. Isnt it primitive and just plain wrong to assert that those who cannot speak are possessed by the devil?
A: Matthew does not say that anyone who cannot speak is demon-possessed. He describes this particular man as mute and demon-possessed. This does not imply that everyone who is mute is also demon-possessed. Earlier, in 4:24, Matthew lists several groups of people with different conditions and afflictions that Jesus healed. Demon-possessed is one of those groups; the other groups are not bracketed within the demon-possessed category. So it would be utterly arbitrary to try to maintain that Matthew, and other Biblical authors, believed that all mute people were demon-possessed.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: Matthew does not say that anyone who cannot speak is demon-possessed. He describes this particular man as mute and demon-possessed. This does not imply that everyone who is mute is also demon-possessed. Earlier, in 4:24, Matthew lists several groups of people with different conditions and afflictions that Jesus healed. Demon-possessed is one of those groups; the other groups are not bracketed within the demon-possessed category. So it would be utterly arbitrary to try to maintain that Matthew, and other Biblical authors, believed that all mute people were demon-possessed.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
