Mark 7:24

KJV

¶ And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know [it]: but he could not be hid.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} from thence {G1564} he arose {G450}, and went {G565} into {G1519} the borders {G3181} of Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605}, and {G2532} entered {G1525} into {G1519} an house {G3614}, and would have {G2309} no man {G3762} know {G1097} it: but {G2532} he could {G1410} not {G3756} be hid {G2990}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, Yeshua left that district and went off to the vicinity of Tzor and Tzidon. There he found a house to stay in and wanted to remain unrecognized, but keeping hidden proved impossible.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice.

American Standard Version

And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and he could not be hid.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following a period of intense confrontation with religious authorities in Galilee, Jesus withdraws to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, seeking a measure of privacy and rest. Despite His deliberate intention to remain unnoticed within a private dwelling, His presence and fame proved impossible to conceal, highlighting the irresistible and uncontainable nature of His divine person and the Kingdom message He proclaimed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 7:24 immediately follows a significant and escalating conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes in Galilee. In [Mark 7:1-23](/mark/7-1-23 "Mark 7:1-23 - Jesus' Teaching on Purity"), Jesus challenges their man-made traditions concerning ritual purity, particularly handwashing, and exposes the hypocrisy of their outward observances. He then delivers a profound teaching to His disciples and the crowd, declaring that true defilement comes not from external sources but from the evil intentions and desires of the human heart. This teaching fundamentally redefines purity and undermines the very basis of Pharisaic legalism. Jesus' subsequent withdrawal "from thence" (from the region of Gennesaret or Capernaum, where these confrontations occurred) to Gentile territory signals a strategic retreat from the intense religious opposition and a shift in the immediate focus of His ministry, setting the stage for the remarkable encounter with the Syrophoenician woman in [Mark 7:25-30](/mark/7-25-30 "Mark 7:25-30 - The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician port cities located north of Galilee, on the Mediterranean coast. Unlike Jewish Galilee, these were distinctly Gentile territories, known for their commercial prosperity, maritime trade, and pagan religious practices (e.g., Baal worship). For Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, to intentionally enter these "borders" was a significant and unusual step, especially given His primary mission to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus Sent Only to Israel")). His desire for privacy ("would have no man know [it]") in such a culturally distinct area suggests a need for respite from the relentless demands of His public ministry and the escalating hostility from Jewish leaders. It also hints at a desire for focused time with His disciples, away from the crowds and controversies, to impart further teaching, as He often did in secluded places.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it subtly underscores **Jesus' Humanity and Divinity**. His desire for privacy reflects His human need for rest and withdrawal, yet His inability to remain hidden powerfully testifies to His divine fame and the irresistible drawing power of His presence. Secondly, it highlights the **Expansion of God's Kingdom**. While Jesus' primary ministry was to Israel, His deliberate entry into Gentile territory, even with a desire for anonymity, foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel and the eventual inclusion of Gentiles into God's family, a theme explicitly developed in [Mark 13:10](/mark/13-10 "Mark 13:10 - The Gospel Must First Be Proclaimed to All Nations") and the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Finally, it speaks to the **Uncontainable Nature of the Gospel**. The Good News of the Kingdom of God, embodied in Jesus Christ, cannot be confined by geographical, social, or religious boundaries; it naturally spills over, reaching those whom God has appointed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hid (Greek, _lanthánō'_):** G2990, a prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning to lie hid (literally or figuratively); often used adverbially, unwittingly. In this context, it refers to Jesus' desire for His presence to remain concealed or unnoticed, reflecting His human intention to avoid public attention.
* **could (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** G1410, of uncertain affinity, meaning to be able or possible. Here, it is used in the negative ("could not"), emphasizing the impossibility of Jesus' desire for anonymity being fulfilled due to external circumstances or divine will.
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** G1097, a prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. In this verse, Jesus "would have no man know it," indicating His desire for His presence to remain unperceived or unacknowledged by the public.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon":** This clause describes Jesus' physical departure from Galilee, the scene of recent intense conflict and public ministry, and His deliberate journey northward into the Gentile territories of Phoenicia. The "borders" (Greek, *methórios*) indicate He entered the geographical limits or frontier regions of these cities, signifying a move beyond the immediate Jewish context of His ministry.
* **"and entered into an house, and would have no man know [it]:"** This part reveals Jesus' explicit intention upon entering Gentile territory. He sought refuge in a private dwelling ("an house," Greek, *oikía*), and His desire was for His presence to remain secret. This highlights His human need for privacy, rest, and perhaps focused time with His disciples away from the crowds and the scrutiny of religious leaders.
* **"but he could not be hid."** This concluding phrase presents a powerful counterpoint to Jesus' stated intention. Despite His desire for anonymity, His identity and presence proved impossible to conceal. This "could not" (Greek, *ouk ēdynēthē*) suggests either the overwhelming fame that preceded Him, the divine compulsion that drew people to Him regardless of His plans, or the sovereign will of God that His light not be hidden, even in Gentile lands.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Paradox** and **Irony**. The paradox lies in Jesus, the Son of God, seeking to hide Himself, yet being unable to do so. His divine nature and the power of His presence inherently defy concealment. This creates an **Irony**, as His attempt at privacy leads directly to a significant public encounter (with the Syrophoenician woman) that further expands the scope of His ministry. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the universal reach of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, a theme that will become central to the early church's mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:24 powerfully illustrates the tension between divine intention and human expectation, revealing that God's sovereign plan for the spread of His Kingdom cannot be thwarted by human desires, even those of Christ Himself in His humanity. Jesus' inability to remain hidden signifies that the light of the Gospel is inherently diffusive and cannot be contained. It speaks to the irresistible nature of God's redemptive work, which transcends all geographical, ethnic, or social barriers, reaching those whom God has appointed for salvation. This incident, occurring in Gentile territory, foreshadows the universal scope of the Great Commission and the inclusion of all nations into the family of God through Christ.

* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light for the Gentiles")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness to the Ends of the Earth")
* [John 3:8](/john/3-8 "John 3:8 - The Spirit Blows Where It Wills")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:24 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that even the Son of God sought moments of retreat and rest. This underscores the vital importance of intentional spiritual and physical withdrawal from the demands of life and ministry, allowing us to reconnect with God, recharge our spirits, and gain clarity, much like Jesus often did, as seen in [Mark 6:31](/mark/6-31 "Mark 6:31 - Jesus Invites Disciples to Rest"). However, the verse also presents a powerful counter-lesson: despite our best-laid plans or desires for privacy, God's sovereign purpose often intervenes, leading us into unexpected encounters and opportunities for His glory. We are called to be available for God's work, recognizing that His agenda may supersede our personal intentions. Ultimately, this passage serves as an encouraging reminder that the light of Christ, when genuinely lived out through our lives, cannot be concealed. Like a city on a hill, our witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will naturally draw others and contribute to the unstoppable spread of the Gospel, even in the most unlikely of places, echoing the call to [be the light of the world](/matthew/5-14 "Matthew 5:14 - Believers are the Light of the World").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I balance my need for personal rest and privacy with the call to be available for God's unexpected purposes?**
* **In what ways might God be calling me to step outside my comfort zone or familiar "borders" to share His light?**
* **How does the "uncontainable" nature of the Gospel encourage me in my own witness and prayer for the lost?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus go to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory?**

Answer: Jesus' journey to Tyre and Sidon appears to have been motivated by a desire for privacy and rest, away from the intense scrutiny and opposition of the Jewish religious authorities in Galilee. The preceding chapters in Mark detail escalating conflicts with the Pharisees and scribes, making a strategic withdrawal to a less populated, non-Jewish area a logical choice for respite and focused teaching with His disciples. While His primary earthly ministry was to Israel, His presence in Gentile territory also foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel, demonstrating God's redemptive plan extending beyond ethnic boundaries.

**Why did Jesus "want no man to know" He was there?**

Answer: Jesus' desire for anonymity likely stemmed from several factors. Firstly, a need for physical and spiritual rest from the constant demands of His public ministry and the overwhelming crowds. Secondly, it could have been to avoid further confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders who were actively seeking to trap Him. Thirdly, it provided an opportunity for concentrated, private instruction with His disciples, preparing them for future ministry without public interruption. This desire for seclusion highlights Jesus' true humanity and His strategic approach to ministry.

**What is the significance of "but he could not be hid"?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant. It emphasizes the irresistible nature of Jesus' identity and the power of His presence. Despite His human desire for privacy, His fame, His miracles, and the divine magnetic pull of His person made it impossible for Him to remain unnoticed. It underscores that God's sovereign plan for the Gospel to reach all people could not be thwarted, even by Jesus' own temporary desire for seclusion. His light, like a city on a hill, inherently draws attention and cannot be hidden, signifying the unstoppable spread of the Kingdom of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:24, though seemingly a simple narrative detail, offers a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus' journey into Gentile territory, even with a desire for anonymity, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate expansion of God's redemptive plan through Him to all nations. The fact that "He could not be hid" speaks to the inherent, uncontainable nature of the light and truth embodied in Christ. He is the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), whose glory and saving power cannot be confined by geographical, ethnic, or religious boundaries. His very presence, even in a private house in pagan lands, was a beacon that drew those in need, exemplified by the Syrophoenician woman in the subsequent verses. This event prefigures the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile through Christ's sacrifice, as articulated in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Broke Down the Wall"). It underscores that in Christ, there is [neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"), for all are one in Him. His inability to be hidden in Tyre and Sidon is a microcosm of the global reach of the Gospel, which, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would ultimately go to the [ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness to the Ends of the Earth") through His followers, fulfilling His mission to redeem people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

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

Matthew 15:21

¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mark 6:31

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Mark 6:32

And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

Matthew 11:21

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Ezekiel 28:2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

Mark 3:7

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,