Matthew 9:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} their {G846} eyes {G3788} were opened {G455}; and {G2532} Jesus {G2424} straitly charged {G1690} them {G846}, saying {G3004}, See {G3708} that no man {G3367} know {G1097} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

and their sight was restored. Yeshua warned them severely, "See that no one knows about it."

Berean Standard Bible

And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one finds out about this!”

American Standard Version

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:30 captures the profound moment immediately following Jesus' miraculous healing of two blind men in Capernaum, where their sight is fully restored. Despite this undeniable display of divine power and compassion, Jesus issues a stringent command for them to maintain absolute secrecy about the miracle. This seemingly counter-intuitive directive highlights Jesus' strategic approach to His public ministry, aiming to manage perceptions of His messianic identity and prevent premature, politically charged acclamations that would misunderstand His true spiritual mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a series of powerful miracles recounted in [Matthew 9](/matthew/9 "Matthew 9 - Jesus' Miracles and Authority"), which collectively demonstrate Jesus' unparalleled authority over sickness, sin, and even death. The immediate preceding verses ([Matthew 9:27-29](/matthew/9-27-29 "Matthew 9:27-29 - Jesus Heals Two Blind Men")) detail the encounter with the two blind men who persistently call out to Jesus as the "Son of David," a messianic title. Their faith is explicitly acknowledged by Jesus as the catalyst for their healing. Following this miracle, [Matthew 9:32-34](/matthew/9-32-34 "Matthew 9:32-34 - Jesus Heals a Mute Man") describes the healing of a mute, demon-possessed man, further escalating the public's amazement and the Pharisees' opposition. The entire chapter builds towards Jesus' compassionate observation of the "harassed and helpless" crowds, leading to His call for prayer for laborers in the harvest ([Matthew 9:35-38](/matthew/9-35-38 "Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus' Compassion and Call for Laborers")). Thus, the command for secrecy in [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus' Command for Secrecy") serves as a crucial narrative pivot, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent actions and teachings, which emphasize spiritual understanding over sensationalism.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Galilee, where these events largely unfolded, was a region under Roman occupation, yet deeply steeped in Jewish religious and cultural traditions. The Jewish people eagerly awaited the Messiah, whom many expected to be a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore the Davidic kingdom. Blindness in this era was not only a severe physical affliction but often carried social stigma, sometimes being associated with sin ([John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples' Question About Blindness and Sin")). Healers, particularly those performing miracles, would quickly gain notoriety and attract large crowds, potentially leading to popular uprisings or misinterpretations of their purpose. Jesus' ministry, therefore, operated within a volatile sociopolitical landscape where His actions could easily be misconstrued. His command for secrecy must be understood in light of these expectations, as He sought to define His Messiahship on His own terms, emphasizing a spiritual kingdom and a path of suffering rather than immediate political triumph.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus' Command for Secrecy") contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Jesus' Divine Authority and Healing Power**, demonstrating His ability to perform miracles that fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah opening the eyes of the blind ([Isaiah 35:5](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5 - Prophecy of the Blind Seeing")). Secondly, it introduces or reinforces the theme of the **Messianic Secret**, a recurring motif in the Gospels where Jesus often instructs recipients of His miracles or His disciples to keep His identity or actions quiet ([Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus Heals a Leper and Commands Secrecy"), [Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Jesus Commands Disciples Not to Tell Who He Is")). This secrecy was likely to manage expectations, prevent a premature confrontation with Roman authorities, or to ensure that people understood His mission was primarily spiritual and redemptive, not merely a display of sensational power or a call to political revolution. Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the preceding context highlights the **Role of Faith** ([Matthew 9:29](/matthew/9-29 "Matthew 9:29 - Healing According to Faith")), indicating that Jesus often responds to and honors the faith of those who seek Him, even as He controls the dissemination of information about His works.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** From ἀνά (ana, "up") and a root meaning "to open," this verb signifies to open up, literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to the physical restoration of sight, a profound act of creation and healing. The passive voice ("were opened") emphasizes that the action was performed upon them, by Jesus, highlighting His divine agency in the miracle.
* **straitly charged (Greek, _embrimáomai'_):** This word, derived from ἐν (en, "in") and a root meaning "to snort with anger," conveys a strong, stern warning, a vehement rebuke, or to sternly enjoin. It implies a deep emotional intensity on Jesus' part, underscoring the absolute seriousness and urgency of His command for secrecy. It's not a casual request but a forceful directive, indicating the critical importance of this instruction for His ministry strategy.
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb means to "know" in a deep, experiential sense, beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It implies a full understanding, perception, or recognition. Jesus' command that "no man know it" means not merely that the event should not be reported, but that the full implications of His identity and power, as revealed through this miracle, should not be prematurely or wrongly understood by the masses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their eyes were opened":** This clause describes the immediate, miraculous outcome of Jesus' interaction with the two blind men. The passive voice emphasizes the divine agency of Jesus in restoring their sight, transforming their physical condition instantly and completely. It is a direct fulfillment of their faith and Jesus' power.
* **"and Jesus straitly charged them, saying":** This introduces Jesus' stern and forceful command. The use of "straitly charged" (embrimáomai) indicates the gravity and intensity of His instruction. It was not a gentle suggestion but a vehement order, underscoring the critical importance of what He was about to say for His broader messianic mission.
* **"See [that] no man know [it].":** This is the specific content of Jesus' urgent command. The phrase "See that no man know it" (horáō mēdeís ginṓskō) is a powerful prohibition. It reflects Jesus' desire to control the narrative surrounding His identity and works, preventing misinterpretations of His Messiahship as a political or sensational phenomenon, and ensuring that His path to the cross would be understood on His own terms.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is the **Miracle Narrative**, which serves to demonstrate Jesus' divine power and authority, confirming His identity as the Messiah. The immediate follow-up, Jesus' command for secrecy, introduces or reinforces the **Messianic Secret** motif, a recurring literary and theological theme in the Gospels. This motif creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is aware of Jesus' true identity and power, while the characters (and the public) are commanded to remain ignorant or are limited in their understanding. The sternness of Jesus' command, conveyed by "straitly charged," also highlights a subtle **Paradox**: the one who performs open, public miracles often seeks to restrict their publicity, emphasizing the spiritual and redemptive nature of His mission over mere sensationalism or political acclaim.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:30 profoundly illustrates Jesus' absolute sovereignty over physical infirmity and His strategic wisdom in revealing His divine identity. The healing itself is a powerful sign of the inbreaking of God's kingdom, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's restorative work. However, Jesus' subsequent command for secrecy, often termed the "Messianic Secret," reveals a crucial theological truth: Jesus was not interested in a superficial, politically motivated acclamation as king, but in a deep, spiritual understanding of His identity as the Suffering Servant who would accomplish salvation through sacrifice. This tension between divine power displayed and divine power concealed speaks to God's perfect timing and method in unfolding His redemptive plan, prioritizing spiritual transformation over immediate earthly glory.

* [Isaiah 35:5](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5 - Prophecy of the Blind Seeing")
* [Mark 8:29-30](/mark/8-29-30 "Mark 8:29-30 - Peter's Confession and Jesus' Command")
* [John 6:14-15](/john/6-14-15 "John 6:14-15 - Jesus Withdraws After Feeding the Five Thousand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:30 offers a rich tapestry for reflection, inviting us to consider both the transformative power of Jesus and the wisdom of His strategic approach to ministry. Just as Jesus opened the physical eyes of the blind men, He continues to open spiritual eyes today, enabling us to perceive truth, grace, and His kingdom in ways we could not before. This verse challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of Jesus as merely a miracle-worker, to grasp His deeper mission of salvation and spiritual renewal. His command for secrecy, though counter-intuitive to our modern sensibilities of publicity, teaches us the importance of divine timing and purpose. It reminds us that true understanding of Christ comes not from sensational displays, but from a surrendered heart that seeks to comprehend His suffering, sacrifice, and spiritual reign. We are called to discern God's will and timing in sharing His works, ensuring that our witness points to the true nature of His kingdom, which is not of this world, but eternal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' command for secrecy challenge our modern understanding of how God's power should be displayed or publicized?**
* **In what ways might we, like the crowds of Jesus' day, be tempted to misunderstand Jesus' mission if we focus only on His miraculous power without grasping His call to suffering and sacrifice?**
* **What "eyes" (spiritual, emotional, intellectual) might Jesus be seeking to open in your life today, and how might He be working subtly rather than sensationally?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, faithfully share His works while also discerning the appropriate timing and manner to avoid misrepresenting His true kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command the blind men to keep their healing a secret?**

Answer: Jesus' command for secrecy, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," was a strategic element of His ministry. There are several reasons scholars propose for this directive. Firstly, Jesus wanted to manage the public's expectations of the Messiah. Many people expected a political revolutionary who would overthrow Roman rule, and sensational miracles could easily ignite such a movement, distracting from His true spiritual mission of establishing a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Secondly, it allowed Him to control the pace and timing of the revelation of His identity, ensuring that people understood His role as the Suffering Servant who would die for the sins of the world ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). Premature public acclamation could have led to His arrest or an unwanted political uprising before His appointed time for the cross. Finally, it may have been a way to prevent the crowds from following Him merely for the miracles, rather than for His teachings and the spiritual truth He offered.

**Did the blind men obey Jesus' command for secrecy?**

Answer: Matthew 9:31, the verse immediately following, indicates that they did not. It states, "But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country." This act of disobedience, while perhaps born of excitement and gratitude, highlights the tension between Jesus' strategic intent and human enthusiasm. Their actions, though disobedient to the letter of the command, ultimately contributed to the growing public awareness of Jesus, even if it was not always the kind of awareness Jesus sought at that particular stage of His ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the two blind men and Jesus' subsequent command for secrecy in [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus' Command for Secrecy") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of redemption. Jesus, as the Light of the World ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), came not only to open physical eyes but, more significantly, to open the spiritual eyes of humanity, blinded by sin and ignorance ([2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - The God of This World Has Blinded Unbelievers")). His command for secrecy, far from diminishing His messianic claim, underscores His unique understanding of His mission: not as a political liberator, but as the Suffering Servant who would achieve victory through self-sacrifice on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). This passage foreshadows the ultimate revelation of Christ's glory through His death and resurrection, where His true identity as Lord and Savior would be fully understood and proclaimed, not in secret, but to all nations ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the temporary secrecy gives way to the universal proclamation of the gospel, inviting all who were once spiritually blind to see the glorious light of Christ ([Ephesians 1:17-18](/ephesians/1-17-18 "Ephesians 1:17-18 - Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom")).

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

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.

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 5:43

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Luke 8:56

And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

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.

Matthew 12:16

And charged them that they should not make him known:

John 9:7

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.