Mark 1:43

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

And {G2532} he straitly charged {G1690} him {G846}, and forthwith {G2112} sent {G1544} him {G846} away {G1544};

Yeshua sent him away with this stern warning:

Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning:

And he strictly charged him, and straightway sent him out,

Mark 1:43 KJV captures a moment of intense instruction from Jesus immediately following a miraculous healing. This verse highlights Jesus' authority and the specific, urgent commands he gave to the man he had just cleansed of leprosy, setting the stage for further developments in the narrative.

Context

This verse directly follows Jesus' compassionate act of healing a leper, a person who was not only physically afflicted but also socially ostracized and ceremonially unclean according to Mosaic Law. Jesus, moved with compassion, touched the man and instantly made him clean (Mark 1:42). Verse 43 describes Jesus' immediate reaction and instruction to the newly cleansed man.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Stern Authority: The phrase "straitly charged him" indicates a very serious and emphatic command from Jesus. It wasn't a gentle suggestion but a direct, urgent instruction, underscoring the importance of what he was about to say.
  • The Messianic Secret: A prominent theme in Mark's Gospel is Jesus' frequent command for those he healed or who recognized his true identity to keep silent. This "Messianic Secret" often served to control the timing and nature of his public revelation as Messiah, preventing misunderstanding or premature political uprising. Other instances of this command include Mark 3:12 and Mark 8:30.
  • Urgency and Immediacy: The word "forthwith" is characteristic of Mark's Gospel, emphasizing the speed and directness of Jesus' actions. He didn't just give a command; he "forthwith sent him away," indicating the swift execution of his will.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV phrase "straitly charged him" translates the Greek word embrimaomai (ἐμβριμάομαι). This term carries a strong connotation of sternness, indignation, or a vehement warning. It suggests Jesus was very serious and perhaps even agitated about the man's immediate obedience to his instructions, especially regarding silence and the necessary priestly offerings.
  • "Forthwith" comes from the Greek euthys (εὐθύς), a word frequently used by Mark to convey a sense of immediacy and rapid progression in Jesus' ministry. It highlights the dynamic and active nature of Christ's work.

Significance and Application

Mark 1:43 reveals Jesus as a figure of immense authority who not only heals but also issues precise commands. The urgency in sending the man away was likely tied to the subsequent instruction in Mark 1:44 to go to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice from Leviticus 14. This act would validate his cleansing according to the law and allow him to be reintegrated into society. However, the strict charge also included a command to silence, which the man unfortunately disobeyed (Mark 1:45), leading to consequences for Jesus' ministry.

For us today, this verse underscores the importance of obedience to Christ's commands, even when we might be tempted to act differently, perhaps out of excitement or misunderstanding. It also reminds us that God often has a perfect timing for His plans and revelations, and sometimes, our greatest contribution is faithful, quiet obedience to His specific instructions.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:30

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

  • Mark 3:12

    And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

  • Luke 8:56

    And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

  • Mark 5:43

    And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

  • 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];

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