Matthew 16:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then he warned the talmidim not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

American Standard Version:

Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G5119} charged he^{G1291} his^{G846} disciples^{G3101} that^{G2443} they should tell^{G2036} no man^{G3367} that^{G3754} he^{G846} was^{G2076} Jesus^{G2424} the Christ^{G5547}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Mark 8:30

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Luke 9:21

And he straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing;

Matthew 17:9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Luke 9:36

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

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.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

Commentary for Matthew 16:20

Matthew 16:20 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of Matthew, capturing a moment when Jesus instructs his disciples to keep his identity as the Messiah confidential. This command comes immediately after Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declares Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Jesus' confirmation of Peter's statement and his subsequent instruction to maintain secrecy reflect a theme known as the Messianic Secret, a motif in the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus often conceals his messianic identity to avoid public misunderstanding and to prevent the political and social ramifications that might follow premature public recognition.

In the historical context of first-century Palestine, the title "Messiah" carried significant political and religious connotations. The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would restore the Davidic kingdom and free them from Roman occupation. Jesus, however, had a different mission—one that involved suffering, death, and resurrection, which did not align with the prevailing messianic expectations. By commanding silence, Jesus sought to shape his disciples' understanding of his messiahship and to delay the public revelation of his identity until the appropriate time, after his resurrection. This would allow for the full realization of his mission and teachings, which were spiritual rather than political in nature.

The verse also highlights the tension between Jesus' earthly ministry and the expectations of those around him. It underscores the uniqueness of Jesus' messianic role and the need for a paradigm shift among his followers regarding the nature of the Kingdom of God. This shift would only become clear after Jesus' death and resurrection, events that would redefine the concept of messiahship and inaugurate a new covenant. Thus, Matthew 16:20 is a key verse in understanding the transition in the disciples' journey from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah to grasping the true essence of his mission and the radical reorientation of their messianic hopes.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G5119
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τότε
Transliteration: tóte
Pronunciation: tot'-eh
Description: from (the neuter of) ὁ and ὅτε; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.
Strong's Number: G1291
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διαστέλλομαι
Transliteration: diastéllomai
Pronunciation: dee-as-tel'-lom-ahee
Description: middle voice from διά and στέλλω; to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e. (by implication) to enjoin:--charge, that which was (give) commanded(-ment).
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G3101
There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαθητής
Transliteration: mathētḗs
Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
Strong's Number: G2443
There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵνα
Transliteration: hína
Pronunciation: hin'-ah
Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G3367
There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μηδείς
Transliteration: mēdeís
Pronunciation: may-den'
Description: from μή and εἷς; not even one (man, woman, thing):--any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay.
Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

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