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];

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;

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

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

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.

Mark 7:36 (KJV) describes a fascinating dynamic between Jesus' command and the people's response after a miraculous healing. Following Jesus' restoration of a deaf man with a speech impediment in the region of Decapolis, this verse highlights the immediate and overwhelming impact of His divine power.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' compassionate healing of a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-35). The miracle took place in the Gentile-dominated region of Decapolis, indicating Jesus' ministry extended beyond Jewish territories. After performing the healing, Jesus issues a strong directive to the witnesses: "And he charged them that they should tell no man." This instruction is part of a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret."

Key Themes

  • The Messianic Secret: Jesus frequently commanded silence regarding His identity or miracles (e.g., Mark 1:44, Matthew 12:16). Scholars propose several reasons for this: to prevent a premature political uprising against Roman rule, to manage expectations of what the Messiah would be (not a political king), and to ensure His mission culminated in the cross rather than popular acclamation.
  • Uncontainable Enthusiasm: Despite Jesus' direct command, the people's astonishment and joy were so profound that they could not keep silent. The KJV's "published it" translates the Greek word ekērussōn (ἐκήρυσσον), meaning they "proclaimed" or "preached" it widely, indicating zealous declaration. The miracle's power was undeniable and compelled them to share the news.
  • Divine Power and Human Response: The verse beautifully illustrates the tension between divine intention (Jesus' command) and human nature (the overwhelming desire to share good news). The more Jesus charged them, "so much the more a great deal they published [it]," highlighting the irresistible impact of His work.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "charged" is eneteilato (ἐνετείλατο), a strong term implying a direct, authoritative command. The repeated phrase "the more he charged them, so much the more" emphasizes the intensity of both Jesus' instruction and the people's subsequent disobedience, driven by awe and excitement. The word ekērussōn (ἐκήρυσσον) for "published" carries the sense of a public proclamation, similar to how a herald would announce a decree, underscoring the widespread and deliberate nature of their sharing.

Practical Application

Mark 7:36 offers several insights for believers today:

  • God's Timing vs. Our Zeal: While we are called to share the good news of Christ, there are times when discretion or divine timing is crucial. Our enthusiasm for God's work should be tempered with wisdom and obedience to His specific instructions.
  • The Irresistible Power of God: When God performs a mighty work, its impact is often so profound that it cannot be hidden. This verse encourages us to trust in the inherent power of God's actions to draw people to Himself, even when circumstances seem to limit our ability to proclaim.
  • The Nature of True Witness: The people's response, though disobedient to the letter of the law, reveals a natural overflow of joy and wonder at God's grace. It reminds us that our witness often stems from a genuine experience of God's transformative power in our lives. Indeed, the people were "beyond measure astonished" (Mark 7:37) by what Jesus had done.
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 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.

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