Luke 5:14

KJV

And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he {G846} charged {G3853} him {G846} to tell {G2036} no man {G3367}: but {G235} go {G565}, and shew {G1166} thyself {G4572} to the priest {G2409}, and {G2532} offer {G4374} for {G4012} thy {G4675} cleansing {G2512}, according as {G2531} Moses {G3475} commanded {G4367}, for {G1519} a testimony {G3142} unto them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yeshua warned him not to tell anyone. "Instead, as a testimony to the people, go straight to the cohen and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moshe commanded."

Berean Standard Bible

“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

American Standard Version

And he charged him to tell no man: but go thy way, and show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:14 records Jesus' precise instructions to the man he had just miraculously healed of leprosy, commanding him to maintain silence about the miracle while simultaneously fulfilling the Mosaic Law's requirements for ritual cleansing. This dual directive highlights Jesus' respect for the Law, His strategic management of His public ministry, and His desire for the healing to serve as an undeniable validation of divine power to the religious authorities, facilitating the man's full reintegration into society and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a man "full of leprosy" in [Luke 5:12-13](/luke/5-12-13 "Luke 5:12-13 - Jesus Heals a Leper"). The healing itself is remarkable, as Jesus not only speaks a word of healing but also touches the man, an act that would have rendered Him ceremonially unclean under normal circumstances. This bold action demonstrates Jesus' authority over disease and defilement. The subsequent command in [Luke 5:14](/luke/5-14 "Luke 5:14 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Leper") serves as a crucial bridge, connecting the miraculous healing to the established legal and social structures of the time, ensuring the man's restoration was complete in every dimension. It also sets the stage for the escalating tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, who would soon question His authority to forgive sins ([Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Luke 5:21 - Scribes and Pharisees Question Jesus")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Leprosy in ancient Israel was more than a physical ailment; it was a devastating social and religious curse. According to the [Mosaic Law](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Leprosy"), individuals afflicted with leprosy were considered ceremonially unclean and were ostracized from the community, forced to live apart and declare their uncleanness ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Regulations for Lepers")). Their restoration involved a meticulous purification ritual, which included inspection by a priest, offerings, and a period of isolation, culminating in a public declaration of cleanliness ([Leviticus 14:1-32](/leviticus/14-1-32 "Leviticus 14:1-32 - Purification Rituals for Lepers")). Jesus' command for the healed man to present himself to the priest was not merely a suggestion but a necessary step for the man's full legal and social reintegration, allowing him to return to his family, community, and the temple worship from which he had been excluded.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 5:14](/luke/5-14 "Luke 5:14 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Leper") contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores Jesus' **authority over disease and defilement**, showcasing His divine power to heal what was considered incurable and unclean. Secondly, it highlights Jesus' **respect for and fulfillment of the Mosaic Law**, demonstrating that His ministry did not abolish the Law but brought it to its intended purpose ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). By instructing the man to follow the prescribed rituals, Jesus validates the Law's ceremonial aspects while simultaneously performing a miracle that transcends its limitations. Thirdly, the command to silence, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," reveals Jesus' **strategic approach to His public ministry**, aiming to manage public expectations, prevent premature political uprisings, and allow His identity and mission to be revealed on His own terms. Finally, the requirement for a "testimony" emphasizes the **evidential nature of Jesus' miracles**, serving as undeniable proof of God's work to both the religious authorities and the broader community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **charged (Greek, _parangéllō'_):** This term signifies a formal, authoritative command or injunction. It implies a serious directive, not merely a suggestion. Jesus' instruction to the healed man was a specific, binding order, underscoring the importance of what was to follow. It reflects Jesus' authority and the weight of His words.
* **cleansing (Greek, _katharismós'_):** This word refers to a washing off, purification, or ceremonial ablution. In the context of leprosy, it specifically denotes the ritual purification required by the Mosaic Law to declare a leper clean and restore them to the community. It highlights that the healing was not just physical but also a restoration of the man's ritual purity, enabling his full participation in religious and social life.
* **testimony (Greek, _martýrion'_):** This term means something evidential, proof, or witness. Jesus intended the man's appearance before the priest, following the prescribed rituals, to serve as undeniable evidence to the religious authorities that a miraculous healing had occurred. It was a public validation of Jesus' power and a sign to those who held the keys to the Law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he charged him to tell no man:"** Jesus' initial command is a directive for silence, often seen in the Synoptic Gospels. This "Messianic Secret" likely served multiple purposes: to prevent Jesus from being prematurely identified as a political revolutionary, to avoid sensationalism that could detract from His teaching ministry, and to allow His identity as Messiah to unfold according to God's perfect timing, rather than being forced by popular acclaim.
* **"but go, and shew thyself to the priest,"** Immediately following the command for silence, Jesus directs the man to the very authority figures who would validate his healing. This was the prescribed legal and ceremonial step for a leper to be declared clean and reintegrated into society. It demonstrates Jesus' adherence to the Law and His desire for the man's complete restoration, not just physically but also socially and religiously.
* **"and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded,"** This clause specifies the exact nature of the man's obligation: to perform the sacrifices and rituals outlined in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Lepers"). By explicitly referencing "Moses commanded," Jesus affirms the divine authority of the Law and ensures that the man's restoration is fully recognized within the established religious framework. This act of obedience would confirm the genuineness of the healing to the priests.
* **"for a testimony unto them."** The ultimate purpose of these instructions was to provide irrefutable evidence to the priests and, by extension, to the Jewish community. The priests were the official arbiters of ceremonial purity. Their declaration of the man's cleanliness, after witnessing his miraculous recovery, would serve as a powerful and undeniable witness to Jesus' divine power and authority, validating His ministry within the very system that would soon oppose Him.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:14 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as Jesus issues direct commands ("charged him to tell no man," "go," "shew thyself," "offer"). This highlights His authority and the non-negotiable nature of His directives. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the command to silence ("tell no man") juxtaposed with the requirement for a public, official "testimony" to the priests. While the general public was to be kept unaware of the specific miracle, the very authorities who needed to acknowledge God's work were to receive undeniable proof. Furthermore, the entire episode functions as **Symbolism**: the man's leprosy symbolizes the spiritual uncleanness of sin, and his miraculous cleansing and subsequent reintegration symbolize the holistic restoration that Jesus offers—physical, social, and spiritual. The priestly validation also serves as **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' ultimate role as the Great High Priest, who would offer the definitive sacrifice for humanity's cleansing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:14 profoundly connects Jesus' miraculous power with His respect for and fulfillment of the Old Testament Law. By commanding the healed leper to follow the prescribed rituals, Jesus demonstrates that His ministry is not in opposition to God's established commands but rather brings them to their ultimate purpose and completion. This act validates the man's healing within the legal framework of the day, transforming a private miracle into a public, undeniable testimony to the religious authorities. It underscores the theological truth that God's power often works through established channels, even as it transcends them, providing a clear witness to His redemptive work.

* [Leviticus 14:2-32](/leviticus/14-2-32 "The Law of the Leper's Cleansing")
* [Matthew 8:4](/matthew/8-4 "Jesus' Command to the Leper in Matthew")
* [Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Jesus' Command to the Leper in Mark")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:14 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of obedience, even after receiving a miraculous blessing. The healed man's journey to full restoration required not just divine intervention but also his diligent adherence to the Law's requirements. This teaches us that our spiritual growth and complete healing often involve active participation and obedience to God's revealed will, even when it seems counterintuitive or involves humility. Secondly, the concept of a "testimony" is vital. Our transformed lives, marked by Christ's healing and grace, are meant to be a public witness to His power. Just as the leper's appearance before the priest validated Jesus' authority, our lives, lived in accordance with God's Word, can serve as compelling evidence of His transforming work to a watching world, especially to those in authority or those who doubt. Finally, Jesus' strategic wisdom in managing His public ministry, balancing immediate impact with long-term objectives, reminds us to exercise discernment in how and when we share our faith, ensuring that our actions truly glorify God and advance His kingdom effectively.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life has God brought healing or transformation, and what "steps" (obedience, humility, seeking counsel) might still be required for your full "cleansing" and reintegration?**
* **How can your life, transformed by Christ, serve as a clear "testimony" to those around you, particularly to those in positions of influence or authority?**
* **When might it be wise to exercise discretion or "tell no man" about a spiritual experience, allowing God's timing and purposes to unfold, rather than seeking immediate recognition or sensationalism?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus tell the man not to tell anyone, but then to go to the priest, which would make the healing public?**

Answer: This seemingly contradictory command highlights Jesus' nuanced approach to His ministry. The instruction to "tell no man" ([Luke 5:14](/luke/5-14 "Luke 5:14 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Leper")) was part of the "Messianic Secret," a recurring theme in the Synoptic Gospels. It served several purposes: to prevent premature identification as a political Messiah who would lead a rebellion against Rome, to avoid creating sensationalism that could hinder His teaching ministry, and to allow His true identity and mission to be revealed on His own terms and timing. However, the command to "shew thyself to the priest" was absolutely necessary for the man's full social and religious reintegration according to [Mosaic Law](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Lepers"). This act would provide an official, undeniable "testimony" to the religious authorities that a miracle had occurred, validating Jesus' divine power within the established system. Thus, Jesus balanced the need to manage public perception with the necessity of fulfilling the Law and providing irrefutable proof of His authority to those who needed to see it most.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:14, with its detailed instructions for the healed leper, powerfully foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself. Just as the leper's physical cleansing and return to community required a priestly validation and sacrifice under the Old Covenant, humanity's spiritual cleansing from the "leprosy" of sin is accomplished through the perfect sacrifice and priestly work of Jesus. He is not merely a healer who respects the Law, but the very [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate "cleansing" for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Power")). Furthermore, Jesus is our true [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who has passed through the heavens, interceding on our behalf and making us clean not by animal sacrifices, but by His own blood ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). The leper's appearance before the earthly priest served as a "testimony" to Jesus' power; similarly, Christ's resurrection and ascension serve as the ultimate "testimony" to His divine authority and the completeness of His redemptive work, validating His claim as Messiah and Savior ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to Christ")). Through Him, we are not only healed but fully reconciled to God and brought into the spiritual community of His body, the Church, without any further ritualistic offerings required for our purification ([Colossians 1:21-22](/colossians/1-21-22 "Colossians 1:21-22 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 14:2

This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:

Leviticus 14:32

This [is] the law [of him] in whom [is] the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get [that which pertaineth] to his cleansing.

Luke 17:14

And when he saw [them], he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

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.

Leviticus 13:2

When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh [like] the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:

Mark 1:44

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Matthew 9:30

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it].