Matthew 9:31

KJV

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} they, when they were departed {G1831}, spread abroad {G1310} his {G846} fame {G1310} in {G1722} all {G3650} that {G1565} country {G1093}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But instead, they went away and talked about him throughout that district.

Berean Standard Bible

But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout the land.

American Standard Version

But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:31 describes the immediate aftermath of Jesus' healing of two blind men, who, despite Jesus' explicit command for silence, departed and widely proclaimed His fame throughout the entire region. This act of disobedience, though seemingly counter to Jesus' immediate wishes, paradoxically served to amplify His growing renown as a miracle worker, highlighting the irrepressible nature of God's power and plan, which cannot be contained by human limitations or even disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the concluding statement to the narrative of Jesus healing two blind men in [Matthew 9:27-30](/matthew/9-27-30 "Matthew 9:27-30 - Jesus Heals Two Blind Men"). Immediately prior, Jesus had touched their eyes, declaring, "According to your faith be it unto you," and their sight was restored. Crucially, in [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus' Command to Silence"), Jesus "straightly charged them, saying, See that no man know it." Their subsequent action in verse 31 directly contravenes this clear instruction. This incident is part of a broader section in [Matthew 8-9](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8-9 - A Series of Jesus' Miracles") that showcases Jesus' authority over disease, demons, and nature, establishing His messianic credentials through powerful acts. The spreading of His fame sets the stage for increasing crowds and, inevitably, growing opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry was unfolding in Galilee, a region known for its diverse population and susceptibility to messianic fervor. Capernaum, where this miracle likely occurred, was Jesus' primary base of operations. In this period, there were various expectations of the Messiah, often leaning towards a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus frequently sought to manage public perception of His identity, a phenomenon often termed the "Messianic Secret." By commanding silence, Jesus aimed to prevent a premature or politically motivated uprising, to avoid being seen merely as a miracle worker rather than the spiritual King, and to ensure His mission culminated in the cross, not a popular revolt. The cultural context also includes the rapid spread of news through word-of-mouth in a pre-media society, where extraordinary events would quickly become widespread reports.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several significant themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Human Disobedience** to divine commands, even when motivated by gratitude or excitement. Despite Jesus' explicit instruction, the men chose to publicize His work. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Irrepressibility of God's Power and Kingdom**. Even Jesus' attempts to control the narrative could not contain the impact of His divine authority; His fame spread organically, foreshadowing the unstoppable advance of the gospel message, as seen in the later command to "make disciples of all nations" in [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"). Thirdly, it highlights **Jesus' Growing Fame and Influence**. Whether by His direct intention or through the actions of others, His reputation as a powerful healer and teacher was expanding rapidly "in all that country," leading to both greater crowds seeking Him out and intensifying opposition from religious authorities who perceived Him as a threat.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dé (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle, translated as "But" at the beginning of the verse, serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction. In this context, it marks a strong contrast or opposition to the preceding statement. Jesus explicitly commanded silence ("See that no man know it"), but "they" (the blind men) did the opposite. This "but" highlights the tension between Jesus' directive and the men's subsequent action, setting up the central irony of the verse.
* **diaphēmízō (Greek, _diaphēmízō'_):** From *diá* (through) and *phēmē* (fame/report), this verb means "to report thoroughly" or "to divulge widely." It is translated here as "spread abroad his fame." The word conveys a sense of active, extensive, and deliberate dissemination of information. It implies that the men did not just casually mention it but actively and widely proclaimed the news of Jesus' healing power, directly defying His command and ensuring His reputation became widely known.
* **gē (Greek, _gē'_):** This word, translated as "country," refers to a specific region or land. In this context, "all that country" signifies the entire geographical area around Capernaum, likely encompassing a significant portion of Galilee. The use of "all" (Greek: *hólos*) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the spread of Jesus' fame, indicating that the news reached every corner and community within that region, not just a localized area.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they, when they were departed":** The conjunction "But" (G1161, *dé*) immediately signals a contrast with Jesus' preceding command for silence in [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus' Command to Silence"). The phrase "when they were departed" (G1831, *exérchomai*) indicates that as soon as the men left Jesus' immediate presence, they began to act contrary to His instruction. This highlights their swift and decisive disobedience, suggesting that their excitement or gratitude outweighed their commitment to Jesus' specific directive.
* **"spread abroad his fame":** This is the core action of the verse. The verb "spread abroad" (G1310, *diaphēmízō*) is a strong term, meaning to proclaim widely or divulge thoroughly. It indicates a deliberate and extensive effort on their part to publicize Jesus' miracle. The object of their proclamation was "his fame," referring to Jesus' reputation as a powerful healer and worker of wonders. This phrase underscores that the news was not merely whispered but actively broadcast, ensuring widespread knowledge of Jesus' power.
* **"in all that country":** This concluding phrase (G1722 *en* "in" + G3650 *hólos* "all" + G1565 *ekeînos* "that" + G1093 *gē* "country") emphasizes the geographical scope of their proclamation. "All that country" signifies the entire region, likely Galilee, indicating that the news of Jesus' miracle and His growing fame permeated every town and village. This widespread dissemination, though disobedient, inadvertently contributed to the rapid expansion of Jesus' public profile and the awareness of His messianic activity.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:31 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**: Jesus explicitly commands the healed men to keep silent, yet they immediately and widely proclaim His fame. This creates a powerful ironic tension, where human disobedience inadvertently serves a divine purpose. Closely related is **Contrast**, highlighting the stark difference between Jesus' intention to manage the perception of His Messiahship (the "Messianic Secret") and the men's actions which actively undermine that immediate goal. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**. The irrepressible spread of Jesus' fame, despite His attempts to contain it, prefigures the unstoppable expansion of the Gospel message throughout the world, which would eventually be commanded by Jesus Himself in the Great Commission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a simple account of disobedience, carries profound theological weight. It demonstrates the tension between human will and divine sovereignty. Even when individuals act contrary to a specific divine command, God's overarching plan cannot be thwarted. The spreading of Jesus' fame, though initiated by disobedience, ultimately served God's larger purpose of revealing the Messiah and preparing the way for the widespread proclamation of His kingdom. It illustrates that God can use even imperfect human actions, and sometimes human failure, to advance His perfect will. The power of God's works is so profound that it cannot be contained, naturally drawing attention and leading to the expansion of His influence, a testament to His inherent glory.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void"): "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission and Power of the Holy Spirit"): "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good"): "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to who are the called according to his purpose."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:31 offers a compelling lesson on the interplay of obedience, divine sovereignty, and the unstoppable nature of God's work. While the men's actions were disobedient, their excitement for what Jesus had done for them was undeniable, leading them to share their testimony widely. This reminds us that while our zeal for Christ is commendable, it must always be tempered by a humble commitment to His specific commands and wisdom. True discipleship calls for obedience, even when we don't fully understand the reasons behind a command, trusting that God's ways are higher than our own. Yet, the verse also offers profound comfort: God's ultimate purposes will prevail, even in the face of human error or imperfection. Our mission today is to spread the good news of Jesus, but with discernment, integrity, and a focus on glorifying Him, not merely seeking sensationalism or personal acclaim. We are called to be faithful stewards of the message, trusting that God will ensure its ultimate triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I balance my zeal for sharing God's work with the importance of discerning His specific will and timing?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to act on my own understanding or excitement rather than in strict obedience to God's commands?**
* **How does the truth that God's plan cannot be thwarted, even by human disobedience, encourage or challenge my understanding of His sovereignty?**
* **What does it mean to "spread abroad His fame" in my own context today, in a way that truly honors Christ and His mission?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command the healed men to keep silent about their healing?**

Answer: Jesus' command for silence, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," was a strategic part of His early ministry. He sought to manage public perception of His identity and mission. If His miracles were widely publicized too early, it could lead to several issues: a premature political uprising against Roman rule, as many people expected a Messiah who would be a military or political liberator; a misunderstanding of His spiritual mission, reducing Him to merely a miracle worker rather than the suffering servant and spiritual King; or an acceleration of opposition from religious authorities before His appointed time. By commanding silence, Jesus aimed to control the timing and nature of His revelation as the Messiah, ensuring His ministry culminated in His atoning death and resurrection, not a popular but ultimately misdirected movement. This is seen in other instances, such as when He charges His disciples not to tell anyone He is the Christ in [Matthew 16:20](/matthew/16-20 "Matthew 16:20 - Jesus Commands Disciples Not to Reveal His Identity").

**Were the men's actions sinful, given that they disobeyed Jesus' direct command?**

Answer: From a strict interpretation of obedience, the men's actions were indeed disobedient to Jesus' explicit instruction. Disobedience to a direct command from God, or in this case, the Son of God, is generally considered sinful. However, the narrative does not explicitly condemn them, and their motivation appears to have been one of overflowing gratitude and excitement for the miraculous healing they received. While their actions went against Jesus' immediate wishes, Matthew's account highlights that God's sovereign plan ultimately prevailed, and Jesus' fame spread regardless. This incident underscores that while human obedience is paramount and always God's desire, God is also capable of working through and even despite human imperfections to accomplish His greater purposes, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:31, though detailing an act of human disobedience, powerfully foreshadows the unstoppable and global spread of the fame of Christ. Jesus' attempts to contain His renown during His earthly ministry, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret," were strategic, designed to prevent a premature political uprising and ensure His path led to the cross rather than a misdirected popular movement. Yet, the very nature of His divine power and the profound impact of His miracles meant His fame could not be confined to "all that country." This irrepressible spread of His reputation points forward to the ultimate, universal proclamation of His identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as declared by John the Baptist in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). After His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples to "make disciples of all nations" in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"), transforming the localized spreading of His fame into a global mission. The fame of Christ, now rooted in His atoning work and resurrection power, is meant to reach every corner of the earth, drawing all people to Himself, as He promised, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" in [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Lifted Up to Draw All People"). Thus, the unintended consequence of the blind men's actions in Matthew 9:31 becomes a microcosm of the gospel's triumphant, worldwide advance.

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 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 9:26

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

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.