Matthew 16:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} charged he {G1291} his {G846} disciples {G3101} that {G2443} they should tell {G2036} no man {G3367} that {G3754} he {G846} was {G2076} Jesus {G2424} the Christ {G5547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he warned the talmidim not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following Peter's Spirit-inspired confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus immediately issues a solemn command to his disciples. He strictly charges them not to reveal his identity as the Messiah to anyone at that time. This directive marks a crucial turning point in Jesus' ministry, signaling his strategic control over the timing and nature of his public revelation, particularly in light of the prevailing misconceptions about the Messiah's role.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 16:20 stands as a pivotal moment immediately following Peter's profound confession in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession") where he declares Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This confession, divinely revealed, prompts Jesus to pronounce a blessing upon Peter and speak of building his church. However, the very next verse, [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death"), reveals Jesus' first explicit prediction of his suffering, death, and resurrection. The command to silence in verse 20 thus acts as a crucial transition, bridging the moment of Christ's acknowledged identity with the unfolding revelation of his suffering Messiahship, an aspect the disciples were not yet ready to grasp or proclaim. It sets the stage for the subsequent tension and misunderstanding, as seen in Peter's rebuke of Jesus in [Matthew 16:22](/matthew/16-22 "Matthew 16:22 - Peter Rebukes Jesus").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Jesus' ministry, the Jewish people lived under Roman occupation, and their understanding of the Messiah was heavily influenced by nationalistic and political aspirations. They largely anticipated a conquering king, a descendant of David, who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's sovereignty, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Prince of Peace"). The title "Christ" (Messiah) was laden with these expectations. A public declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, especially by his followers, could have easily ignited a premature political uprising, forcing Jesus into a role he did not intend for his first advent. Such an event would have diverted attention from his true mission—spiritual salvation through his atoning death—and placed him in direct conflict with Roman authorities before his appointed time. Jesus' command to silence was therefore a strategic move to manage these volatile expectations and ensure his true mission could be accomplished.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several major themes within the Gospels and the broader book of Matthew. The most prominent is the **Messianic Secret**, a recurring motif where Jesus commands silence about his identity or miracles. This theme highlights Jesus' deliberate control over the timing and nature of his revelation, preventing a misunderstanding of his mission as primarily political rather than spiritual. It also underscores the theme of **Divine Timing**, emphasizing that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect schedule, not human expectations. Furthermore, the disciples' initial inability to fully comprehend Jesus' suffering Messiahship, despite Peter's confession, points to the theme of **Disciples' Limited Understanding**. Their grasp of Jesus' true identity and mission would only deepen after his resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by their bold proclamation in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **charged (Greek, _diastéllomai'_):** This word, G1291, implies a strong, authoritative command to "set (oneself) apart," or by implication, to "enjoin." It conveys the seriousness and weight of Jesus' instruction, indicating that this was not a casual suggestion but a solemn directive that his disciples were expected to obey. The middle voice suggests Jesus himself is setting the boundary or distinction.
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From G3101, meaning "a learner" or "pupil." This term emphasizes the ongoing process of learning and formation that Jesus' followers were undergoing. Despite Peter's profound confession, this command reveals that even the closest learners still had much to understand about the nature of Jesus' Messiahship and the unfolding of God's plan.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** G5547, meaning "anointed" or "the Messiah." This is not a surname but a title of immense significance, identifying Jesus as the long-awaited deliverer, king, and savior prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus' command to silence this specific title highlights the critical need to redefine what "Messiah" truly meant in light of his mission, moving from popular political expectations to the reality of a suffering servant who would achieve salvation through sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then charged he his disciples":** This phrase immediately follows Peter's confession and Jesus' blessing, indicating a direct and authoritative response. The "charging" (G1291 _diastéllomai_) signifies a solemn and weighty command, underscoring the importance Jesus placed on this instruction. It is directed specifically to "his disciples," those who were closest to him and privy to deeper truths, yet still in the process of understanding.
* **"that they should tell no man":** This is the core of the command: a prohibition against public declaration. The Greek "no man" (G3367 _mēdeís_) is absolute, emphasizing the complete secrecy Jesus desired regarding his identity at this stage. This directive is crucial for understanding the "Messianic Secret" motif throughout the Gospels, where Jesus often silences those who recognize him or are healed by him.
* **"that he was Jesus the Christ":** This specifies the content of the secret: Jesus' identity as "the Christ" (G5547 _Christós_), the Messiah. While Peter had just confessed this truth, Jesus understands that the popular conception of the Messiah was heavily political and nationalistic. A premature public announcement would have led to widespread misunderstanding, potentially inciting rebellion against Rome and disrupting God's redemptive timeline, which required the suffering and death of the Son of Man before his ultimate glorification.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 16:20 powerfully employs the literary device of the **Messianic Secret**. This recurring motif throughout the Gospels, particularly in Mark, involves Jesus commanding individuals or demons to keep his identity or miraculous deeds confidential. In this verse, it serves to control the narrative and prevent a premature, politically charged understanding of his Messiahship. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play; the disciples, having just witnessed Peter's Spirit-inspired confession, now hold a profound truth about Jesus' identity, yet they are forbidden to share it. This creates tension, as the reader knows Jesus' true nature, but the characters within the narrative (outside the disciples) remain largely ignorant, or misunderstand. Furthermore, the command **Foreshadows** the true nature of Jesus' mission, which involves suffering and death rather than immediate political triumph, a truth the disciples would struggle to accept until after the resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:20 highlights the profound theological truth of God's sovereign timing and control over revelation. Jesus, as the divine Son, perfectly understands the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which necessitates a specific sequence of events—from his life and teachings to his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension—before his full identity and mission can be properly understood and proclaimed. The command to silence is not about hiding truth but about protecting it from distortion by popular misconceptions, ensuring that the Messiah's true purpose as a suffering servant who atones for sin is not overshadowed by expectations of a political king. This verse also implicitly teaches about the nature of discipleship, where obedience to Christ's commands, even when the reasons are not fully understood, is paramount.

* [Mark 8:29-30](/mark/8-29-30 "Mark 8:29-30 - Peter's Confession and the Command to Silence")
* [John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Avoids Being Made King")
* [Isaiah 53:1-12](/isaiah/53-1-12 "Isaiah 53:1-12 - The Suffering Servant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:20 invites us to reflect on our own understanding of Jesus and the timing of our proclamation of Him. Just as the disciples needed to grow in their comprehension of Jesus' full mission, so too do we. Our faith journey is one of continuous revelation, moving beyond superficial understandings to grasp the profound mystery of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection as central to His identity. This verse teaches us patience and discernment in sharing the Gospel; while we are called to proclaim Christ, we must do so in a way that accurately represents His full nature—not just His power, but also His humility, sacrifice, and the spiritual nature of His kingdom. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and sometimes, silence or a nuanced approach is more effective than a premature or misunderstood declaration. We are called to be faithful stewards of the truth, sharing it with wisdom and in alignment with the Spirit's leading.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our contemporary understanding of Jesus be incomplete or misaligned with His true mission, similar to the disciples' initial misconceptions?**
* **How does Jesus' command to silence challenge our impulse to immediately proclaim every spiritual truth we encounter, and what does it teach us about divine timing in sharing our faith?**
* **What aspects of Christ's identity (e.g., suffering, humility, spiritual kingship) do we find most challenging to embrace or communicate, and why?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command his disciples to keep his identity as the Christ a secret?**

Answer: Jesus commanded silence primarily to manage the prevailing Jewish expectations of the Messiah. The people largely anticipated a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's earthly kingdom. A premature public declaration of Jesus as "the Christ" would have likely incited a political uprising, drawing the wrong kind of attention and hindering his true mission, which was to establish a spiritual kingdom through his atoning death and resurrection. He needed to redefine Messiahship away from political power to that of a suffering servant, a concept the disciples themselves struggled to grasp until after his resurrection ([Matthew 16:21-23](/matthew/16-21-23 "Matthew 16:21-23 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")). This strategic silence, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," allowed Jesus to control the narrative and ensure his true purpose was fulfilled according to God's divine timing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:20, with its command for silence, points paradoxically to the ultimate and necessary public revelation of Jesus as the Christ through his suffering, death, and resurrection. The very identity Jesus commanded his disciples to conceal for a time—"Jesus the Christ"—is the identity that God fully vindicated and publicly declared through the events of the cross and the empty tomb. The "Messianic Secret" was not a permanent state but a temporary measure to ensure the true nature of Christ's mission was understood. The full Christ-centered fulfillment of this verse is found in the New Testament's post-resurrection proclamation: Jesus is indeed the Christ, not merely a political king, but the Lord of all, who conquered sin and death. This is powerfully declared in [Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - God Made Him Both Lord and Christ"), where Peter, no longer silent, boldly proclaims, "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!" The suffering servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") is revealed as the glorified Christ of [Philippians 2:6-11](/philippians/2-6-11 "Philippians 2:6-11 - The Christ Hymn"), whose name is above every name. The silence of Matthew 16:20 gives way to the thunderous, Spirit-empowered declaration of the apostles, who understood that Jesus' Messiahship was inextricably linked to his atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, making him the only way to salvation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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

Mark 8:30

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

Luke 9:21

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

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.

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Luke 9:36

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

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.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.