Mark 7:36

KJV

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];

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he charged {G1291} them {G846} that {G2443} they should tell {G2036} no man {G3367}: but {G1161} the more {G3745} he {G846} charged {G1291} them {G846}, so much the more {G3123} a great deal {G4054} they published {G2784} it;

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua ordered the people to tell no one; but the more he insisted, the more zealously they spread the news.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them, the more widely they proclaimed it.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:36 captures a poignant moment immediately following Jesus' miraculous healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment in the Gentile region of Decapolis. Despite Jesus' explicit command for silence, the overwhelming impact of His divine power and the profound astonishment of the witnesses compelled them to defy His directive, leading them to extensively publicize the miracle. This verse highlights a recurring tension in Mark's Gospel between Jesus' desire to manage perceptions of His messianic identity and the irrepressible human response to His extraordinary works.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate conclusion to the narrative of Jesus' healing of a deaf and mute man in the Decapolis region, detailed in [Mark 7:31-35](/mark/7-31-35 "Mark 7:31-35 - Healing the Deaf and Mute Man"). Mark 7:31 sets the scene, describing Jesus' journey through Sidon and Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area. The healing itself is depicted with vivid sensory details, emphasizing the man's complete restoration. Following this powerful demonstration of divine authority over physical infirmity, Jesus issues a direct command for silence, a motif frequently observed in Mark's Gospel, often termed the "Messianic Secret." The people's subsequent, enthusiastic disobedience in Mark 7:36 then serves as a stark counterpoint to Jesus' instruction, setting the stage for their astonished proclamation in [Mark 7:37](/mark/7-37 "Mark 7:37 - The People's Astonishment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting in Decapolis, a league of ten Hellenistic cities primarily east of the Jordan River, is significant. This was a Gentile territory, underscoring the universal scope of Jesus' ministry, which extended beyond the Jewish population. In this cultural milieu, miraculous healings were often seen as a sign of divine favor or prophetic authority. However, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah was often intertwined with political liberation from Roman rule. Jesus' command for silence, therefore, might have been a strategic move to prevent a premature or misguided political uprising, ensuring that His mission, particularly His suffering and death, was understood on its own terms rather than through popular, nationalistic fervor. The public's response, though disobedient, reflects the natural human tendency to share extraordinary news, especially in a world where such events were rare and awe-inspiring.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:36 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **Messianic Secret**, a recurring motif where Jesus frequently commands silence about His identity or miracles (e.g., [Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus Heals a Leper and Commands Silence"), [Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Peter's Confession and Jesus' Command")). This secrecy likely aimed to redefine messianic expectations away from a political liberator towards a suffering servant. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Uncontainable Enthusiasm** of those who witness Jesus' power. Despite His direct command, the sheer wonder and joy evoked by the miracle were so profound that the people could not restrain their proclamation. This demonstrates the inherent, compelling nature of God's work. Thirdly, it showcases the **Tension Between Divine Will and Human Response**. Jesus' authoritative instruction is met with an equally intense human reaction, driven by awe and the desire to share good news. This dynamic underscores the irresistible impact of Jesus' ministry on human hearts, even when it leads to an unintended outcome in terms of His immediate strategy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **charged (Greek, _diastéllomai'_):** This word (G1291) signifies "to set (oneself) apart" or, by implication, "to enjoin" or "command." It conveys a strong, authoritative directive, not merely a suggestion. Jesus' instruction was a serious injunction, reflecting His divine authority and strategic intent regarding the dissemination of information about His miracles.
* **but (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle (G1161) functions adversatively, meaning it introduces a contrast or opposition. In Mark 7:36, "but" sharply contrasts Jesus' authoritative command with the people's subsequent action, setting up the central paradox of the verse. It highlights the tension between divine instruction and human response.
* **published (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** This verb (G2784) means "to herald (as a public crier)" or "to proclaim," especially divine truth or the gospel. The use of this word indicates that the people did not merely whisper or casually mention the miracle; they actively and publicly announced it, much like a herald would declare an official decree. This underscores the widespread and zealous nature of their disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he charged them that they should tell no man":** Following the miraculous healing, Jesus issues a direct and authoritative command for silence. This instruction is consistent with the "Messianic Secret" motif found throughout Mark's Gospel, where Jesus often seeks to control the narrative surrounding His identity and works, likely to prevent misunderstanding or premature political upheaval. His intent was for His ministry to culminate in the cross, not in popular acclamation.
* **"but the more he charged them":** This clause introduces a dramatic contrast, emphasizing the escalating intensity of Jesus' repeated commands. The phrase "the more" (G3745, `hósos`) highlights Jesus' persistent and perhaps increasingly firm directives, underscoring His desire for obedience and the strategic importance of His instruction.
* **"so much the more a great deal they published [it];":** This climactic phrase reveals the people's overwhelming and paradoxical response. Despite Jesus' intensified commands, their astonishment and joy were so profound that they responded with even greater zeal in proclaiming the miracle. The phrase "so much the more a great deal" (G3123 `mâllon` and G4054 `perissóteron`) functions as a hyperbole, emphasizing the uncontrollable and widespread nature of their public proclamation, effectively overriding Jesus' explicit directive.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:36 is rich in **Irony** and **Paradox**, as Jesus' command for silence paradoxically leads to an even greater proclamation of His work. The more He restricts, the more they spread the news. This creates a dramatic tension that underscores the irresistible nature of God's power. The verse also employs **Repetition** and **Hyperbole** through phrases like "the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published [it]." This linguistic emphasis highlights the intensity of both Jesus' command and the people's response, creating a sense of overwhelming, uncontainable enthusiasm. The use of the verb "published" (**kērýssō**) is a form of **Metonymy**, where the act of "heralding" stands for the widespread dissemination of the news, emphasizing the public and zealous nature of their testimony.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:36 offers profound insights into the nature of divine power, human response, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It illustrates that God's work, when truly experienced, often evokes an irrepressible desire to testify, even when such testimony might not align with immediate divine strategy. This tension between Jesus' strategic silence and the people's spontaneous proclamation highlights the inherent power of the Gospel to compel witness. Ultimately, the news of God's kingdom cannot be contained; it will break forth and be declared, whether by divine command or human overflow. This foreshadows the eventual global proclamation of Christ's finished work.

* [Mark 1:45](/mark/1-45 "Mark 1:45 - The Leper Spreads the News")
* [Luke 8:39](/luke/8-39 "Luke 8:39 - The Demoniac Proclaims Jesus")
* [Acts 4:20](/acts/4-20 "Acts 4:20 - Peter and John Declare What They Have Seen")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dynamic presented in Mark 7:36 challenges believers to consider the interplay between obedience, zeal, and divine timing in their own witness. While Jesus commanded silence for strategic reasons related to His messianic mission, the people's inability to contain their joy speaks to the natural overflow of a heart transformed by God's power. This verse reminds us that true witness often stems from a genuine, deeply felt experience of God's grace and miraculous intervention in our lives. Our enthusiasm for sharing the good news should be fervent, yet also tempered by wisdom and a discerning ear for God's specific leading. There are times for bold proclamation and times for quiet, prayerful waiting, all guided by the Holy Spirit. The irresistible power of God's work will ultimately accomplish His purposes, often through means that transcend human planning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the tension between Jesus' command and the people's response in Mark 7:36 relate to our own zeal for sharing the Gospel today?**
* **In what ways might our eagerness to "publish" God's work sometimes hinder His deeper purposes, and how can we discern God's timing?**
* **What does the people's "uncontainable enthusiasm" teach us about the authentic nature of a transformed life and its natural desire to witness?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command the people not to tell anyone about His miracles?**

Answer: Jesus' command for silence, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," served several strategic purposes. Firstly, it aimed to manage the popular understanding of His messianic identity. Many people, particularly in the Jewish context, expected a political Messiah who would lead an armed rebellion against Roman rule. By commanding silence, Jesus sought to prevent a premature political uprising that would derail His true mission, which was to suffer, die, and rise again as the spiritual King. Secondly, it allowed Him to avoid being mobbed by crowds seeking only physical healing or political liberation, enabling Him to focus on teaching and discipling His inner circle. Finally, the secrecy allowed His identity to be fully revealed at the cross and resurrection, which was the ultimate demonstration of His messianic power and purpose, rather than through popular acclaim based solely on miracles (see [Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death")).

**What does "published it" mean in this context, and why was it significant?**

Answer: The King James Version's "published it" translates the Greek word *ekērussōn* (G2784), which means "to herald" or "to proclaim as a public crier." This is a strong term, implying a widespread, public, and zealous declaration, much like a town crier announcing important news. It wasn't a quiet whisper or casual mention. The significance lies in the direct defiance of Jesus' command. Despite His authoritative directive for silence, the people's astonishment and joy at the miracle were so profound that they felt compelled to loudly and widely proclaim what they had witnessed. This highlights the irresistible impact of Jesus' divine power and the natural human tendency to share extraordinary news, even against explicit instructions. The phrase also foreshadows the eventual global proclamation of the Gospel, which would indeed be "heralded" to all nations (see [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:36, with its depiction of an uncontainable witness to Jesus' power, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate trajectory of the Gospel message. While Jesus strategically commanded silence during His earthly ministry to manage messianic expectations and ensure His path to the cross, this temporary "Messianic Secret" would ultimately give way to a global, unhindered proclamation. The people's irrepressible urge to "publish" the miracle, despite Jesus' command, serves as a microcosm of the Holy Spirit's work after Christ's ascension. The very one who commanded silence would later commission His disciples to "go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" ([Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - The Great Commission")). The power that healed the deaf man in Decapolis is the same power that would empower the apostles to speak boldly, even when commanded to be silent by earthly authorities ([Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Boldness")). Thus, Mark 7:36, in its tension, points to the triumphant reality that Christ's redemptive work, culminating in His death and resurrection, would be a truth so profound and transformative that it could not, and would not, be contained, ultimately being heralded to the ends of the earth by His Spirit-empowered church ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")).

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 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.

Mark 3:12

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

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 8:26

And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell [it] to any in the town.

Mark 1:44

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.

Mark 1:45

But he went out, and began to publish [it] much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.