FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why did Jesus want some of His acts to not be told?
Why did Jesus command that certain miracles not be reported?
At least two places in the Scriptures themselves (Matthew 12:17 and Mark 1:45) indicate that Jesus wanted to have an opportunity to fulfil the prophecies concerning Him without undue interference before He was offered.
| Matthew 8:4 "And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." |
Adam Clarke's Commentary : "Jesus saith-See thou tell no man." Had our Lord, at this early period, fully manifested himself as the Messiah, the people in all likelihood would have proclaimed him King; this, however, refused by him, must have excited the hatred of the Jewish rulers, and the jealousy of the Roman government; and, speaking after the manner of men, his farther preachings and miracles must have been impeded. This alone seems to be the reason why he said to the leper, See thou tell no man.
| Mark 1:45 "But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city," |
[This instance shows that Jesus' ministry was hindered from doing what He wanted to do because he did not obey Jesus. -Gaylon]
| Matthew 9:30 "And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it." |
| Matthew 12:16 "And charged them that they should not make him known:" |
People's Commentary: "Charged not to make him known." Those healed. To noise about his cures now would intensify the hate of his enemies.
Barnes Commentary: Verse 16. And he charged them, etc. He was, at this time, desirous of concealment. He wished to avoid their plots, and to save his life. (Barnes)
Family Bible Notes (Commentary): Not make him known; he wished to be retired from public view, and do his works of love and mercy as the prophets had foretold that he would, Isa 42:2,3; and thus furnish new evidence that he was the Messiah.
[This comment is in keeping with the context (v. 17-"that it might be fulfilled…") -Gaylon].
| Mark "7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;" |
Fourfold Gospels (Commentary): And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. Jesus was still seeking to suppress excitement. A very little encouragement from him would have brought together a multitude, the very thing which he was journeying to avoid. He therefore cautioned the people to be silent. But by a common freak of human nature, his desire to avoid publicity made him more wonderful in the eyes of the people, and thereby inspired a greater eagerness on their part to tell about him.
