Mark 1:44

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, See {G3708} thou say {G2036} nothing {G3367} to any man {G3367}: but {G235} go thy way {G5217}, shew {G1166} thyself {G4572} to the priest {G2409}, and {G2532} offer {G4374} for {G4012} thy {G4675} cleansing {G2512} those things {G3739} which Moses {G3475} commanded {G4367}, for {G1519} a testimony {G3142} unto them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"See to it that you tell no one; instead, as a testimony to the people, go and let the cohen examine you, and offer for your cleansing what Moshe commanded."

Berean Standard Bible

“See that you don’t tell anyone. 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 saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 1:44 records Jesus' specific instructions to the man He had just healed of leprosy. These commands include a strict injunction to silence regarding the miracle, followed by a directive to present himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifices according to the Mosaic Law. This multifaceted command served to manage the public perception of Jesus' ministry, uphold the Law's ceremonial requirements, and provide undeniable evidence of a divine act to the religious authorities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' miraculous healing of a man afflicted with leprosy, as recounted in [Mark 1:40-43](/mark/1-40-43 "Mark 1:40-43 - Jesus Heals a Leper"). The healing itself is presented as an act of compassion and divine authority. Jesus' command in [Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Leper") is a direct response to this healing, outlining the necessary steps for the man's full reintegration into society and religious life. It also sets up the subsequent narrative where, despite Jesus' command, the man begins to spread the news, leading to Jesus' inability to openly enter towns, as described in [Mark 1:45](/mark/1-45 "Mark 1:45 - The Leper Disobeys and Spreads the News").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, leprosy (a broad term encompassing various skin diseases, not just modern Hansen's disease) rendered an individual ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized. Those afflicted were required to live apart from the community and declare themselves unclean ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Regulations for Lepers")). Healing from leprosy was considered a miracle, often equated with resurrection, and required a formal declaration of cleanness by a priest, followed by specific purification rites and sacrifices outlined in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy"). The priest's role was not to heal but to inspect and confirm healing, thereby restoring the individual to communal and religious life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **authority over disease and uncleanness**, demonstrating His divine power to heal what was considered incurable. Secondly, it underscores Jesus' **respect for the Mosaic Law**, as He instructs the man to fulfill the priestly requirements, showing that He came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Thirdly, the command for silence introduces the prominent theme of the **Messianic Secret** in Mark, where Jesus often silences those He heals or demons who recognize Him, likely to prevent premature opposition, manage crowds, or ensure His mission is understood spiritually rather than politically ([Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Peter's Confession and the Messianic Secret")). Finally, the phrase "for a testimony unto them" emphasizes the **evidential nature of Jesus' miracles**, serving as undeniable proof of God's work through Him to the religious authorities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shew (Greek, _deiknýō'_):** This word means "to show (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to the physical act of presenting oneself to the priest for inspection. It implies a clear, undeniable demonstration of the healing, allowing the priest to visually confirm the man's restored health.
* **cleansing (Greek, _katharismós'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to cleanse," this noun refers to a "washing off," or ceremonially, "ablution" or "purification." It specifically points to the ritual purification process required by the Mosaic Law for someone healed of leprosy, which would restore them to a state of ceremonial cleanness and allow their reintegration into the community and temple worship.
* **testimony (Greek, _martýrion'_):** This word signifies "something evidential," "evidence given," or "witness." Here, it indicates that the man's appearance before the priest, and the priest's subsequent declaration of cleanness, would serve as irrefutable proof or a witness to the priests and the community that a divine miracle had occurred through Jesus, validating His power and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man:"** Jesus issues a strict command for silence to the newly healed man. This is part of the "Messianic Secret" motif in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus often seeks to control the spread of information about His identity and miracles. The purpose was likely multi-faceted: to avoid premature confrontation with authorities, to prevent His ministry from being misunderstood as merely a political or physical healing movement, and to manage the overwhelming crowds that His miracles attracted.
* **"but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest,"** Instead of publicizing the miracle, Jesus directs the man to immediately go to the priest. This was the prescribed legal and ceremonial step for anyone healed of leprosy according to the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 14:2-3](/leviticus/14-2-3 "Leviticus 14:2-3 - The Priest's Examination")). The priest's role was to inspect the man and confirm the healing, thereby officially declaring him clean and enabling his re-entry into society and temple worship.
* **"and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded,"** Jesus instructs the man to perform the specific sacrifices and rites detailed in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification Rites for Leprosy"). This demonstrates Jesus' profound respect for the Law and His intention to fulfill its requirements, not abolish them. The offerings were part of the purification process, signifying atonement and restoration.
* **"for a testimony unto them."** This final phrase explains the purpose of the priest's examination and the offerings. The entire process would serve as undeniable evidence or a witness to the priests and the Jewish community that a genuine, miraculous healing had occurred. It would validate Jesus' divine power and authority, confronting the religious leaders with the reality of God's work through Him.

#### Literary Devices
Mark's Gospel employs several literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as Jesus issues direct commands ("See thou say nothing," "go thy way," "shew thyself," "offer"). This highlights Jesus' authority and the urgency of His instructions. There is also **Irony** present, as Jesus commands silence, yet the very act of the healed man presenting himself to the priest and undergoing the purification rites would, by its nature, become a public declaration of a miraculous healing, serving as a "testimony." This tension between secrecy and public display is central to the Messianic Secret. Furthermore, the phrase "for a testimony unto them" functions as a **Purpose Clause**, explaining the divine intent behind Jesus' command to observe the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the evidential nature of the miracle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 1:44 powerfully connects Jesus' ministry to the Old Testament Law and prophetic expectations, while simultaneously revealing the unique nature of His messianic identity. By commanding the healed man to fulfill the Mosaic requirements for cleansing, Jesus affirms the enduring validity of God's Law and demonstrates that His mission is not to overthrow but to bring to completion the divine plan revealed in the Scriptures. The "testimony" given to the priests would serve as a powerful, undeniable sign that God was actively working through Jesus, performing what only He could do. This act of healing and subsequent legal compliance foreshadows the ultimate spiritual cleansing and restoration that Jesus provides through His atoning work, fulfilling the Law's deeper purposes.

* [Leviticus 14:1-32](/leviticus/14-1-32 "The Law of Cleansing for Leprosy")
* [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law")
* [Luke 5:14](/luke/5-14 "Jesus' Command to the Leper in Luke")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Jesus' command to the healed leper to follow the established legal procedures, even after experiencing a direct miracle, reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's revealed will and the value of order within the community of faith. While we live under grace, not law, the principle remains: true transformation should lead to responsible action and a proper acknowledgment of God's work. Our personal experiences of God's grace and healing, whether physical or spiritual, are not just for our benefit but can also serve as a powerful "testimony" to others—a living proof of Christ's power and presence. We are called to live lives that bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, respecting the structures and practices that facilitate our growth and witness, even as we revel in the miraculous.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' instruction to obey the Mosaic Law, even after a miracle, challenge our understanding of grace versus law today?**
* **In what ways might our personal experiences of God's healing or transformation serve as a "testimony" to those around us, particularly those in positions of authority or skepticism?**
* **What might be the "Messianic Secret" equivalents in our lives today, where God calls us to discretion or quiet obedience rather than immediate public proclamation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus tell the man to say nothing to anyone, yet also tell him to show himself to the priest?**

Answer: This apparent contradiction highlights the "Messianic Secret," a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel. Jesus' instruction to "say nothing to any man" was likely a strategic move to manage public perception and the pace of His ministry. Premature widespread fame could lead to misunderstandings of His messianic role (e.g., as a political liberator), incite early opposition from religious authorities, or attract overwhelming crowds that hindered His ability to teach and minister effectively. However, the command to "show thyself to the priest" was absolutely necessary for the man's social and religious reintegration according to the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy")). This act, while private in its initial intent, would serve as an undeniable "testimony" to the priests, validating the miracle and Jesus' divine authority to those who needed to officially recognize the healing. It was a controlled, legal declaration of God's work, distinct from a widespread public announcement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 1:44, while rooted in the Mosaic Law, points profoundly to Christ's ultimate fulfillment of all cleansing and testimony. The leper's physical healing and subsequent ceremonial cleansing foreshadow the spiritual cleansing from sin that only Jesus, the true High Priest, can provide. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the offerings for leprosy, served as a temporary means of purification and a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice to come. Jesus' instruction to offer "those things which Moses commanded" underscores His respect for the Law, but His own person and work would ultimately supersede and complete it. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single, perfect sacrifice on the cross provides eternal cleansing and access to God ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the "testimony" given to the priests finds its ultimate fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus, which is the supreme testimony to God's power and the validation of Jesus' messianic claims ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Power of the Holy Spirit and Witness")). Through Christ, believers are not merely ceremonially clean but are made truly righteous and are empowered to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")).

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 14:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

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.

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.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:11

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Luke 5:14

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.

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.