Matthew 12:16

KJV

And charged them that they should not make him known:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} charged {G2008} them {G846} that {G3363} they should {G4160} not {G3363} make {G4160} him {G846} known {G5318}:

Complete Jewish Bible

but warned them not to make him known.

Berean Standard Bible

warning them not to make Him known.

American Standard Version

and charged them that they should not make him known:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:16 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where, following a series of miraculous healings, He strictly commanded those He had helped not to reveal His identity or deeds. This directive, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," underscores Jesus' strategic control over the timing and nature of His public revelation, aiming to prevent a premature political uprising and to ensure His mission culminated in the cross and resurrection, rather than being misunderstood as merely a miracle-worker or earthly liberator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a significant healing event described in [Matthew 12:15](/matthew/12-15 "Matthew 12:15 - Jesus Heals Many"), where large crowds followed Jesus, and He healed all who came to Him. This widespread healing ministry, attracting considerable attention, directly precedes Jesus' command for silence. The subsequent verses, [Matthew 12:17-21](/matthew/12-17-21 "Matthew 12:17-21 - Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy"), explicitly connect Jesus' quiet and non-confrontational approach to the prophecy of the Servant of the Lord in [Isaiah 42:1-4](/isaiah/42-1-4 "Isaiah 42:1-4 - The Servant of the Lord"). This literary placement highlights Matthew's theological agenda: to portray Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, particularly the suffering Servant who does not strive or cry out in the streets.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people harbored strong messianic expectations, predominantly envisioning a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore an independent Davidic kingdom. This popular understanding of the Messiah often clashed with Jesus' spiritual mission. His public miracles and growing popularity could easily be misinterpreted as a call to rebellion, potentially inciting a premature confrontation with Roman authorities or a misguided popular uprising that would derail His true purpose. Jesus' command for silence was a strategic measure to manage these volatile expectations and to ensure His mission was understood on its own terms, emphasizing spiritual transformation over political liberation.
* **Key Themes:** The command in [Matthew 12:16](/matthew/12-16 "Matthew 12:16 - Jesus Commands Silence") is a classic instance of the **Messianic Secret**, a recurring theme in the Gospels, particularly in Mark and Matthew. Jesus frequently instructed those He healed or His disciples not to reveal His identity as the Messiah or the details of His miracles. This strategy served several purposes: to prevent a premature political uprising, to control the timing and nature of His revelation, ensuring His mission culminated in the cross and resurrection, and to emphasize His spiritual kingship. Another key theme is **Humility and Strategic Timing**. Jesus consistently demonstrated humility, not seeking personal glory or public fanfare, as seen throughout His ministry, for example, in His refusal to be made king in [John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Withdraws from the Crowd"). His actions were guided by divine timing, reflecting a strategic delay in His full public disclosure until the appointed time of His Passion. Finally, this passage contributes to the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Matthew directly links Jesus' quiet ministry to the Servant Songs of Isaiah, particularly [Isaiah 42:1-4](/isaiah/42-1-4 "Isaiah 42:1-4 - The Prophecy of the Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **charged (Greek, _epitimáō'_):** From the Strong's G2008 data, this verb signifies "to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid." It is a strong term indicating not a mere suggestion but a strict, emphatic instruction, often carrying the sense of a stern warning or even a rebuke. Its use here underscores the seriousness and authority with which Jesus issued this command for silence.
* **known (Greek, _phanerós'_):** Derived from Strong's G5318, meaning "shining, i.e. apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally." This word refers to making something manifest, open, or publicly visible. Jesus' command was precisely to prevent His identity or miraculous deeds from becoming widely or openly known in a way that would lead to misunderstanding or premature action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And charged them":** This phrase indicates Jesus' authoritative and firm instruction to the large crowds and those He had just healed. The verb "charged" (epitimáō) conveys a strong sense of prohibition, emphasizing that this was not an optional suggestion but a serious command to be obeyed. It highlights Jesus' control over the unfolding of His ministry and the revelation of His identity.
* **"that they should not make him known:"** This clause specifies the content of Jesus' command: to maintain silence regarding His identity as the Messiah and the nature of His miraculous works. The purpose was to prevent a premature or misunderstood public acclamation, allowing His ministry to progress according to God's divine timing and purpose, culminating in His redemptive work on the cross rather than a political revolution.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Matthew 12:16](/matthew/12-16 "Matthew 12:16 - Jesus Commands Silence") is the **Messianic Secret**. This is a recurring motif in the Gospels, particularly in Mark and Matthew, where Jesus repeatedly instructs those He heals, the demons He casts out, or His disciples not to reveal His identity as the Messiah. This device serves to control the narrative's pace, prevent misconceptions about His kingship (which was spiritual, not political), and ensure His mission culminates in His suffering and resurrection rather than a premature earthly coronation. Another device is **Foreshadowing**, as this command for quietness subtly hints at the nature of Jesus' ultimate mission as the Suffering Servant, who would not engage in public clamor but would quietly fulfill His redemptive work. There is also an element of **Contrast** between the public's expectation of a triumphant, openly declared Messiah and Jesus' chosen method of humble, strategic concealment, which aligns with the prophecy of [Isaiah 42:2](/isaiah/42-2 "Isaiah 42:2 - The Servant Will Not Cry Out").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:16 is deeply significant for understanding Jesus' self-awareness and strategic approach to His ministry. It reveals that Jesus was not merely a miracle-worker seeking fame, but the Messiah with a divine timetable and a specific mission that required careful management of public perception. His command for silence underscores the nature of His kingdom, which is not of this world and does not advance through political upheaval or popular acclamation, but through humble service, suffering, and spiritual transformation. This "Messianic Secret" allowed Jesus to define His messiahship on His own terms, leading to the cross as the ultimate act of revelation, rather than being confined by the limited, often nationalistic, expectations of His contemporaries. It teaches us about divine timing, the importance of humility, and the true nature of God's redemptive plan.

* [Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus Heals a Leper and Commands Silence")
* [Luke 4:41](/luke/4-41 "Luke 4:41 - Demons Know Jesus and Are Silenced")
* [John 7:6](/john/7-6 "John 7:6 - Jesus' Timing is Not Yet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:16 challenges our modern inclinations towards immediate recognition and self-promotion. Jesus, possessing ultimate power and authority, deliberately chose a path of humility and strategic quietness, demonstrating that true spiritual impact often operates outside the spotlight. For believers today, this verse invites us to consider our motives for service and witness. Are we seeking personal glory, or are we genuinely committed to advancing God's kingdom in His way and His timing? It reminds us that God's work is often accomplished through quiet faithfulness, unseen acts of service, and patient endurance, rather than through grand, public displays. Our witness should prioritize the truth of the Gospel and the glory of God, rather than our own visibility or popularity. This passage also encourages us to trust God's perfect timing in our lives and ministries, understanding that not every truth needs to be proclaimed immediately or loudly; sometimes, strategic silence and humble waiting are more effective in allowing God's plan to unfold.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I seek recognition or public affirmation for my actions, rather than quietly serving God?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of humility and trust in God's timing, even when it means delaying personal gratification or public acknowledgment?**
* **What does Jesus' command for silence teach me about the nature of His kingdom and how it is advanced in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command people not to make Him known?**

Answer: Jesus' command for silence, often called the "Messianic Secret," served multiple strategic purposes. First, it aimed to prevent a premature political uprising. Many in Israel expected the Messiah to be an earthly king who would lead a revolution against Roman rule, and Jesus' popularity and miracles could easily be misinterpreted as a call to arms. Second, it allowed Jesus to control the timing and nature of His revelation. He wanted His identity to be fully understood in light of His suffering, death, and resurrection, rather than being limited to a miracle-worker or political liberator. By delaying full public disclosure, Jesus ensured that His mission culminated in the cross, the ultimate demonstration of His true messiahship and the spiritual nature of His kingdom. This is further explained in passages like [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Suffering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:16, with its enigmatic command for silence, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the concealment of Jesus' identity, but in the strategic revelation of His true messiahship through suffering and resurrection. While Jesus initially commanded silence to manage expectations and ensure His mission's proper trajectory, this quietness ultimately foreshadowed His identity as the Suffering Servant, prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). His humility in not seeking public acclaim, even after performing profound miracles, points to the profound self-emptying (kenosis) described in [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")—He did not cling to divine prerogatives but took on the form of a servant, ultimately humbling Himself to death on a cross. The "Messianic Secret" was not a permanent state but a temporary measure, a divine strategy that allowed the true nature of His kingdom—one established through sacrifice and spiritual transformation, not earthly power—to be fully unveiled at the appointed time. Thus, the silence of [Matthew 12:16](/matthew/12-16 "Matthew 12:16 - Jesus Commands Silence") gives way to the resounding proclamation of the resurrected Christ, who, having completed His mission, now commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), revealing Him fully as Lord and Savior.

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 9:30

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [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.

Matthew 17:9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

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];

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.

Luke 5:15

But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.