Mark 8:30

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And {G2532} he charged {G2008} them {G846} that {G2443} they should tell {G3004} no man {G3367} of {G4012} him {G846}.

Then Yeshua warned them not to tell anyone about him.

And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Commentary

Mark 8:30 KJV presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, immediately following Simon Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ. Here, Jesus gives a direct and forceful command to His disciples regarding His identity.

Context of Mark 8:30

This verse is crucial because it occurs right after Peter, speaking for the disciples, declares, "Thou art the Christ" (Mark 8:29). This is a significant theological breakthrough for the disciples. However, instead of publicly embracing this declaration, Jesus issues a stern warning: "And he charged them that they should tell no man of him." This command, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," is a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel. Jesus knew that the popular understanding of the Messiah in His time was often rooted in political and military expectations, rather than the suffering servant leader He was destined to be. Premature or misunderstood declarations could have led to immediate political upheaval or an attempt by the crowds to make Him king by force, derailing His true mission of atonement.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messianic Secret: Jesus frequently commanded silence about His identity or miracles (Mark 1:34, Mark 3:12). This was not to hide His identity permanently but to control the timing and nature of its revelation.
  • Misunderstanding of Messiahship: The disciples, despite Peter's confession, did not yet fully grasp the true nature of Jesus' Messiahship, particularly His forthcoming suffering and death. Immediately after this verse, Jesus begins to teach them about His passion (Mark 8:31).
  • Divine Timing and Purpose: Jesus operated according to God's perfect plan and timing. A public declaration of His Messiahship before His crucifixion and resurrection would have been incomplete and easily misconstrued, potentially hindering His ultimate redemptive work.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "charged" translates the Greek verb epitimaō (ἐπιτιμάω). This is a strong word, implying a stern warning, a rebuke, or a command given with authority. It's the same word used when Jesus rebukes demons (Mark 1:25) or even the wind and sea (Mark 4:39). This indicates the seriousness and urgency with which Jesus gave this instruction to His disciples, underscoring the importance of their silence.

Practical Application

Mark 8:30 reminds us of the importance of understanding God's timing and the full scope of His plan. Just as the disciples needed to grow in their understanding of Jesus' true mission—one that involved suffering before glory—so too do we. It teaches us not to rush ahead of God's timing or to present an incomplete picture of Christ. Our witness should reflect the whole Gospel: Jesus as both Savior and Lord, who suffered, died, and rose again to reconcile us to God. This verse encourages us to patiently learn and internalize divine truths before proclaiming them, ensuring our message is aligned with God's complete revelation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 16:20

    Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

  • Luke 9:21

    And he straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing;

  • Mark 9:9

    And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

  • 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 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];

  • 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.
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