Luke 9:21

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

And {G1161} he straitly charged {G2008} them {G846}, and commanded {G3853} them to tell {G2036} no man {G3367} that thing {G5124};

However, he, warning them, ordered them to tell this to no one,

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.

But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;

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Commentary

In Luke 9:21, Jesus issues a strict command to His disciples immediately after Simon Peter’s profound confession of Him as “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). This verse marks a pivotal point in Jesus’ ministry, shifting from a focus on His public miracles and teachings to a more private revelation of His true identity and, crucially, His impending suffering and death.

Context

This verse comes right after a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry: the pivotal confession of Peter at Caesarea Philippi. After asking His disciples who people say He is, and then more pointedly, "But whom say ye that I am?", Peter declares, "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). Following this revelation of His divine identity, Jesus "straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing." This command sets the stage for Jesus to begin speaking openly about His suffering, death, and resurrection, which He explicitly predicts in the very next verse (Luke 9:22).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messianic Secret: This command is a classic example of what biblical scholars refer to as the "Messianic Secret." Throughout the Gospels, particularly Mark and Luke, Jesus frequently silences those who recognize Him as the Christ or the Son of God (Mark 1:44, Mark 8:30).
  • Misconceptions of the Messiah: Jesus aimed to prevent premature public declaration of His Messiahship because the popular understanding of the Messiah was often political and nationalistic. Many expected an earthly king who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel’s sovereignty. Premature proclamation would have led to a misunderstanding of His mission and potentially sparked a misguided political uprising, hindering His true purpose.
  • Divine Timing and Purpose: Jesus’ true mission was to be the suffering servant, to lay down His life as a ransom for many, not to lead a political revolution. His silence ensured that His identity would be fully understood only after His resurrection, when the true nature of His kingdom and salvation would be revealed. This divine timing was crucial for the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "straitly charged" translates the Greek word epitimao (ἐπιτιμάω), which means to "rebuke," "warn sternly," or "strictly admonish." It conveys a strong, authoritative command, indicating the seriousness with which Jesus issued this instruction. The phrase "that thing" refers directly to His identity as the Christ/Messiah, the divine Son of God.

Practical Application

For us today, Luke 9:21 highlights the importance of divine timing and understanding God's true purposes, which often differ from our own expectations. It reminds us that God's plan often unfolds in ways we don't expect, emphasizing spiritual transformation over worldly power, much like Jesus' own kingdom (John 18:36). It encourages us to trust God's timing for revelation and action in our lives, rather than rushing ahead with our own agendas.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 16:20

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

  • 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.

  • Mark 8:30

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

  • Mark 8:31

    And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
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