Muteness

The inability to speak or to make sounds comprehensible as speech.

Physical muteness

A disability, sometimes associated with demon-possession, healed by Jesus Christ

Matthew 9:32–33 See also Matthew 12:22 parallel Luke 11:14; Matthew 15:30–31; Mark 7:31–37, Mark 9:14–29

As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

Healing as a Messianic sign

Matthew 12:22–23 See also Isaiah 32:4, Isaiah 35:6; Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:33

Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”

God and muteness

God gives and withholds speech

Exodus 4:11–12 See also Exodus 4:10

And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”

God may impose muteness in judgment

Luke 1:20 See also Luke 1:64

And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

God may silence his prophets

Ezekiel 3:26 See also Ezekiel 24:27, Ezekiel 33:22

I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house.

The muteness of idols

1 Corinthians 12:2 See also 1 Kings 18:26; Psalm 115:5 parallel Psalm 135:16; Isaiah 41:26, Isaiah 41:28, Isaiah 46:7; Jeremiah 10:5; Habakkuk 2:18–19

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Spiritual aspects of muteness and silence

Evil silenced by God

Job 5:16; Psalm 63:11, Psalm 107:42; Ezekiel 16:63; Mark 3:4; Romans 3:19

Evil silenced by godliness

1 Peter 2:15

Silence on earth

Habakkuk 2:20

Silence in heaven

Revelation 8:1

God opens believers' mouths in praise

Psalm 40:3

Voluntary muteness

Of David

Psalm 38:13–14 See also Psalm 39:1–3, Psalm 39:9

But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply.

Of Jesus Christ

Isaiah 53:7 See also Acts 8:32; Psalm 38:13; Matthew 26:62–63 parallel Mark 14:60–61; Matthew 27:12–14 parallels Mark 15:5, John 19:9; Luke 23:8–9

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.