Definition: And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Luke 11:14. It's a really interesting story about Jesus testing a devil! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jesus was having a conversation with a powerful and mischievous being called the Devil. The Devil is often portrayed as trying to cause chaos and trouble, and he’s been causing problems for awhile. Suddenly, the Devil disappears! What Happens Next: “He was casting out a devil…” : Jesus is essentially saying, “You are trying to do something bad!” or “You’re disrupting the order.” “…and it was dumb.” : This is key. The Devil is speaking – he's talking . But he's not talking in any way that makes sense! It sounds like a silent, confused mess. “And it came to pass…” : This means something unexpected happened. It wasn’t just the Devil talking; there was a change of pace. What does this tell us about Jesus? This is a powerful image and it's often interpreted as: Jesus is testing the Devil: He's showing that even powerful beings can be vulnerable to God’s truth. Jesus is speaking against evil: The Devil’s silence and confusion are a sign of his opposition to God and his efforts to deceive people. God’s Truth is Powerful: When God speaks, it does have an impact – even on the Devil! The Significance - It's not about punishment: It's important to note this isn't a story of Jesus punishing the Devil. Instead, it’s a demonstration of Jesus' power and His ability to overcome evil. Jesus is saying, "You can't trick me!" In short, Luke 11:14 tells us that Jesus is confronting a powerful being who is trying to cause trouble, and God’s word has the power to overcome even the most cunning of beings. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to delve deeper into the symbolism or its connection to other Bible stories?