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.
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}.
"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."
“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.”
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.
-
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.
Context
Mark 1:44 immediately follows Jesus' miraculous healing of a man afflicted with leprosy, a debilitating and highly contagious disease that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized in ancient Israel. This command from Jesus is crucial for the newly healed man's reintegration into society and his spiritual standing according to the Mosaic Law.
Key Themes
Obedience to the Law
Jesus instructs the healed man to "go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded." This demonstrates Jesus' profound respect for the established divine ordinances of the Old Testament, particularly the purification rites for leprosy found in Leviticus 14. Jesus' actions confirm that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The priest's role was to confirm the healing and declare the person clean, not to perform the healing itself.
The Messianic Secret
Jesus' instruction to "See thou say nothing to any man" is a hallmark of Mark's Gospel, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret." This command likely served several strategic purposes: to prevent premature opposition from powerful religious authorities, to manage the overwhelming crowds that His miracles attracted, and to ensure that people understood His mission was primarily spiritual and redemptive, not merely political or for physical healing. Similar commands for silence are seen elsewhere in Mark, such as after Peter's confession in Mark 8:30.
A Testimony of God's Power
The phrase "for a testimony unto them" signifies that the man's appearance before the priest, and the subsequent declaration of his cleanness, would serve as undeniable proof of a divine miracle. It validated Jesus' authority and power, demonstrating that He could do what no human priest could: bring about complete healing and restoration. This act would stand as a witness to the priests and the people that God was at work through Jesus.
Practical Application
This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's established ways, even when a greater power (Jesus) is at work. It reminds us that true healing, whether physical or spiritual, should lead to proper acknowledgment of God's work. Our transformation can also be a powerful testimony to others, validating the power of Christ in our lives. It encourages us to follow through on necessary steps of obedience and to respect the order God has established, even as we experience His miraculous grace.