The Healing Of a Man Possessed By a Dumb (and Deaf?) Spirit (9:32-34).
We now come to the final Messianic sign (Matthew 11:5), both of the section from Matthew 8:1, and the threefold series from Matthew 9:18. And yet the fact that it does not tie in exactly with Matthew 11:5 indicates the honesty of Matthew's reporting. He would not change the facts in order to suit what he was trying to say. In Matthew 11:5 Jesus said, ‘the deaf (kowphoi) hear', but Matthew illustrates it here with a kowphos (dumb one) who speaks. (In Isaiah 35:5 both are mentioned). In fact it was so regularly true that the dumb were often deaf as well that it is little different, and Matthew could have got away with a slight change in his material. But he refused to do so.
The verses are a masterpiece of condensation, and yet they say all that is necessary. They introduce a demon possessed man who by his possession was made dumb. They describe how the demon is cast out, and the reaction of the crowd. And finally they demonstrate the very opposite reaction of the Pharisees. At least at this stage the crowds are on Jesus' side. But the opposition is growing.
We have here the final Messianic sign (Matthew 11:5), the testimony of the crowds, and a contrast with the faith of the centurion. The Gentile centurion had recognised Him as having the very highest authority from God (Matthew 8:8-9), those who should have known and who should have been welcoming Him, declare His authority as coming from the prince of demons. Unlike the blind men, their eyes are closed.