Why did Jesus charge them that they should tell no man?

Mat 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.Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.Mat 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.Mar 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]Luk 8:56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Jesus’ Don’t Tell Policyhttp://www.parkviewcoc.org/Glad

%20Tidings/2009-12-27%20Jesus%20Dont%20Tell%20Policy.pdf

Vol. XVIII December 27, 2009 No. 52Jerry Fite

Jesus had just asked the question regarding His identity, and after informing his disciples that He would build His church and offer access to the Kingdom, Jesus “charged the disciples that they should tell not man that He was the Christ” (Matthew 16:20, Mk. 8:30, Lk. 9:21). One moment He is asking, “who do men say that I am?”, and then charging his messengers to tell no man of the truth that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. This is not the only time Jesus’ don’t tell policy was in place. Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee and put His fingers in the ear of a deaf man and spat on His fingers to touch the tongue of the deaf man who was also dumb. The man’s ears were miraculously opened and his tongue was instantly loosed to speak. Jesus “charged them that they should tell no man” (Mark 7:35). We know that the more He charged them, “so much the more a great deal they published it” (Mark 7:38). Did

Jesus, knowing man as He did, charge them not to do something so it would be published more? Was Jesus playing a psychological game? On another occasion the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue died. Jesus took her by the hand and raised her up to life, and commanded that food be given her to eat. While her parents were filled with amazement, Jesus “charged them to tell no man what had been done” (Luke 8:56). When Jesus healed a man who was “a leper”, Jesus said, “See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift of Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them Matthew 8:4, Lk. 5:14). Why were these miraculous events to be kept quiet? Why was Jesus’ identity as the Messiah not to be published when learning that he was to establish Heaven’s plans upon earth? The answer to these questions may lie in observing the times and places he wanted men to tell others of Him. When Peter, James and John observed the transfiguration of Jesus upon a high mountain, Jesus charged them that they “tell the vision to no man until the Son of man be risen from the dead” (Matthew 17:9, Mk. 8:30, Lk. 9:21). After the resurrection, Jesus’ earthly ministry would have been completed. Till then, much attention could arouse the Jewish leaders to come after Him more vigorously, making it more difficult for him to spread the good news of the Kingdom. While in the country of the Gerasenes, Jesus miraculously healed a man afflicted with many demons,. Jesus charged this man to stay behind in Decapolis, a confederation of ten Gentile cities, and tell those close to him “how great things Jesus had done for thee and how he had mercy on thee” (Mk. 5:19). The fact a great herd of swine was feeding nearby, indicates a Jewish presence or influence was not as great in this area as they would have been where Jewish leaders and a synagogue existed. In these areas Jesus put in place his don’t tell policy. The cleansed leper going first to the Priest could help establish the fact of the miracle before the Jewish leaders. Jesus’ earthly ministry has now been completed. He has been raised. We should be busy telling others of Him and of His mercy.

End of Jerry Fite’s article.

Though this response is very good, it does not totally satisfy me. The Apostle John often records that the miraculous works of Jesus had a purpose.Jhn 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.Jhn 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.Jhn 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.Jhn 14:11 Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.Jhn 20:30 ¶ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:Jhn 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The miraculous works of the Christ had the purpose of proving to people that Jesus is the Christ! Why, then, would He want such proof kept secret? I found another interesting aspect to Jesus’ miracles.

Jhn 2:23 ¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.Jhn 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],Jhn 2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

And…Jhn 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

So then, people were being affected by the miracles Jesus was doing. Many believed in His name.

Isn’t that what Jesus wanted? Wasn’t that the purpose of His works? Why did He not “commit Himself” to them? There is yet another aspect to consider!Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.Act 1:8 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.

In these verses Jesus is obviously telling people to go and tell! Why now, but not then?

Up to now I have found more questions than answers! I do think, however, that I have gathered enough information to examine, and find answers.

Jesus has perfect wisdom. Nothing was done all at once, but progressively, regarding the faith people should have in Him. Jesus first called people to be His disciples. John 5 records Jesus plainly showing and stating that He is the Messiah, the Christ! After this the opposition is no longer curious or suspicious of Him, but maliciously plotting His death! After this Jesus’ followers are not asked only to believe, but also to go forth on His behalf! Faith was no longer a private matter, but a public declaration and life’s purpose and occupation! Christ issued three calls. Luke 6:13 divides the first two calls. Acts 1:8 establishes the third call.

1. The Call to Be His Disciple. (learn, follow)2. The Call to Be His Apostle. (sent forth)3. The Call to Be His Missionary.

Jesus’ miracles were to be signs which pointed Him out to be the Messiah, but they also inflamed a murderous opposition! Faith was designed to grow from being privately convinced toward public proclamation. Faith needs nurturing and experience and exercise to become strong. Too much opposition too soon would destroy the faith of too many new

believers! There was a progressive, successive nature to Christ’s revelation and call, leading up to the full and complete revelation, call, and commission.