Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5168 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 pp Luke 11:14; Matthew 15:30-31; Mark 7:31-37; Mark 9:14-29

Healing as a Messianic sign

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

God and muteness

God gives and withholds speech

Exodus 4:11-12 See also Exodus 4:10

God may impose muteness in judgment

Luke 1:20 See also Luke 1:64

God may silence his prophets

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

The muteness of idols

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

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 39:1-3,9

Of Jesus Christ

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

See also

2351  Christ, miracles
4130  demons
5147  deafness
5333  healing
5950  silence
8768  idolatry