It is clear that Zechariah was indeed deaf; otherwise, he would have overheard when asked what name he desired for his son, thereby avoiding the need for others to write it down for him. The evidence of his muteness is found in the fact that he communicated by writing on a tablet, declaring, “John shall be his name” (Luke 1:63). After doing so, “his mouth and tongue were loosened” (Luke 1:64). The demon afflicting this man was likewise both deaf and mute. In a concise yet insightful manner, the God-proclaiming Matthew described these ailments: the mute was referred to as 'nem' and clarified the cause of his affliction with the words, "And I cast out the demon, and he spoke to the mute." This indicates that the demon had constrained both his speech and hearing, and thus, once the demon was cast out, “the mute spoke” again. This same possessed individual, as a mute and deaf man, was also healed by Jesus at another point, when He commanded, “O deaf and mute spirit! I command you, come out of him, and enter him no more” (Mark 9:25).
Additionally, it is evident that those who pursue the will of the devil, becoming his captives through sin and lack of repentance, also remain deaf and mute. They are deaf because they do not hear the Word of the Lord, and mute because they do not speak words of righteousness and virtue. Yet these miracles, potent enough to convince all who witnessed them of His divine nature, still resulted in varied reactions; some were astonished while others criticized and slandered Him. The people exclaimed in amazement, "This has never been seen in Israel," but the Pharisees asserted, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons" (Matthew 9:33-34). The crowd recognized the righteousness in their judgment, proclaiming that such miracles had never been seen among the children of Israel. Indeed, while the Prophets performed miracles—Moses, Elijah, and Elisha among them—none matched the marvels that Jesus Christ accomplished. The Prophets called upon God to enact miracles, whereas Jesus commanded them; the Prophets acted by divine grace, while Jesus did so by authority and power. Each Prophet performed certain miracles, but Christ exhibited a diverse array of wonders. The Pharisees falsely accused Him, claiming that He cast out demons by the power of Beelzebul; however, if Satan drives out Satan, he would surely be divided and ultimately brought to ruin. In that way, the God-Man righteously and wisely silenced the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:18).
Why then do the uneducated masses often judge more fairly than the learned Pharisees? It is because jealousy obscures the understanding of both the learned and the unlearned. The common people, free from envy, judge rightly, while the Pharisees, blinded by envy, engage in unrighteous judgment. Why did the Savior choose not to respond to the Pharisees’ wrongful accusations and blasphemies? As previously noted, He had no intention to engage with their malice; instead, He focused on His mission to preach, allowing His miraculous works to expose their slander.
THEOSIS