Zechariah was indeed silent, and it is clear that he was deaf, for if he had heard, they would not have had to signal him regarding what name he intended to give his son. It is also apparent that he remained silent, as he could not articulate his words, resorting instead to writing on a tablet: “John shall be his name.” Then, "his mouth and tongue were loosed" (Luke 1:63-64). In this case, the demon possessed not just deafness but also muteness, meaning he was silent as well. In concise yet insightful language, the divinely inspired Matthew highlighted both afflictions: deafness is indicated by the term ‘nem,’ and muteness, attributing the cause of these conditions to the words: “And I cast out the demon, and he spoke to the mute.” This reveals that the demon had bound both the hearing and the speech of this man; thus, when the demon departed, "the mute began to speak." At another occasion, the same demon-possessed individual, characterized as both mute and deaf, was also healed by Jesus Christ, who commanded, “O deaf and mute spirit! I command you, come out of him, and do not enter him again” (Mark 9:25). Furthermore, it is evident that those who fulfill the desires of the devil, and through sin and a lack of repentance become his captives, share similar conditions of deafness and dumbness. They are deaf because they do not hear the word of the Lord; they are mute because they do not proclaim messages of righteousness and virtue. Yet, these miracles, while powerful enough to affirm His divine nature to all who witnessed them, elicited mixed responses: some marveled while others condemned and blasphemed against Him. The crowd marveled, declaring, "This has never been seen in Israel." However, the Pharisees countered, saying, "He casts out demons by the ruler of demons." While the people offered righteous judgment, affirming that such miracles had never occurred in all of Israel's history, the Pharisees spoke falsely. Indeed, though the Prophets performed miraculous acts—most notably Moses, Elijah, and Elisha—none matched the miracles of Jesus Christ. The Prophets brought about signs through prayer to God, while Jesus performed them by His command; the Prophets acted through the grace of God, whereas Jesus operated with power and authority. Each Prophet accomplished specific miracles; Jesus Christ manifested every form of miracle. The Pharisees made unjust and erroneous judgments, claiming that Jesus expelled demons by the power of the prince of demons; yet, if Satan casts out Satan, surely his kingdom is divided, leading ultimately to his downfall. This is how the God-Man rightly silenced the Pharisees and the scribes (Mt. 12:24; Mk. 3:22; Lk. 11:18). But why do the ordinary people, lacking formal education, judge more equitably than the learned teachers, namely the Pharisees? Because envy clouds the perceptions of both the learned and the unlearned. Those free from envy render just judgments, while the Pharisees, blinded by envy, become irrational and make unjust assessments. Why did the Savior offer no response to the Pharisees' unjust claims and blasphemies? Because He had chosen not to like elsewhere, as previously noted; rather, He proceeded to preach, leaving His works behind to reveal their blasphemy.
THEOSIS