Deafness
Summary
The inability to hear, which Jesus healed as a sign of His messianic ministry, and used figuratively for spiritual insensitivity.
☩Messianic Sign
Isaiah prophesied that when Messiah came, 'the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.' Jesus fulfilled this by healing a deaf man with a speech impediment in Decapolis, putting His fingers in the man's ears, touching his tongue, and saying 'Ephphatha'—'Be opened.' When John the Baptist inquired whether Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus pointed to His healings: 'the deaf hear.'
☩Spiritual Deafness
Scripture often uses deafness figuratively for those who refuse to hear God's word. Isaiah was sent to a people who 'hear ye indeed, but understand not.' Jesus quoted this prophecy to explain why He spoke in parables. The psalmist likened his enemies to 'the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear.'
Related Verses13 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Deafness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Deafness," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).