Mark 7:36 - He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.
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What does "Mark 7:36" mean?
This verse from Mark 7:36 describes a recurring motif in the Gospel of Mark known as the Messianic Secret. It refers to Jesus commanding those he heals or whose lives he changes to keep his identity and miracles a secret, yet they are unable to contain their excitement and spread the news even more.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He commanded them that they should tell no one...": This highlights Jesus' direct instructions for secrecy. He often tells people to keep his identity as the Messiah quiet.
"...but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.": This is the key. Despite Jesus' explicit orders, the people he helps are so overwhelmed by their experience that they can't help but share what happened. The more he tries to keep it quiet, the more the news spreads.
Possible Interpretations and Reasons for the Messianic Secret:
There are several theories why Jesus might have desired secrecy:
Preventing premature political upheaval: Jesus' idea of kingship was very different from what many people expected of the Messiah. He didn't want to be viewed as a political revolutionary or a military leader. He wanted to redefine the concept of Messiahship.
Avoiding unwanted attention: Large crowds could hinder his ability to travel and teach effectively. Secrecy allowed him to control the pace of his ministry and ensure he had time for discipleship and prayer.
Focusing on true faith: Jesus seemed to be more interested in genuine belief than outward declarations. He wanted people to understand his teachings and embrace him because of their faith, not just because of the miracles they witnessed.
Fulfillment of prophecy: Ironically, even the attempts to keep his identity secret helped to fulfill certain prophecies.
Literary device: Some scholars believe the Messianic Secret is a literary device used by Mark to emphasize the mystery surrounding Jesus' identity and challenge the reader to grapple with who he truly is.
In essence, Mark 7:36 is a paradoxical statement highlighting the tension between Jesus' desire for controlled revelation and the irresistible urge of those who experienced his power to share the good news. It speaks to the transformative nature of encountering Jesus and the difficulty of containing such a profound experience. It also adds to the complex portrayal of Jesus in Mark's Gospel.
Mark 7:36 - He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.
What does "Mark 7:36" mean?
This verse from Mark 7:36 describes a recurring motif in the Gospel of Mark known as the Messianic Secret. It refers to Jesus commanding those he heals or whose lives he changes to keep his identity and miracles a secret, yet they are unable to contain their excitement and spread the news even more.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He commanded them that they should tell no one...": This highlights Jesus' direct instructions for secrecy. He often tells people to keep his identity as the Messiah quiet.
"...but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.": This is the key. Despite Jesus' explicit orders, the people he helps are so overwhelmed by their experience that they can't help but share what happened. The more he tries to keep it quiet, the more the news spreads.
Possible Interpretations and Reasons for the Messianic Secret:
There are several theories why Jesus might have desired secrecy:
Preventing premature political upheaval: Jesus' idea of kingship was very different from what many people expected of the Messiah. He didn't want to be viewed as a political revolutionary or a military leader. He wanted to redefine the concept of Messiahship.
Avoiding unwanted attention: Large crowds could hinder his ability to travel and teach effectively. Secrecy allowed him to control the pace of his ministry and ensure he had time for discipleship and prayer.
Focusing on true faith: Jesus seemed to be more interested in genuine belief than outward declarations. He wanted people to understand his teachings and embrace him because of their faith, not just because of the miracles they witnessed.
Fulfillment of prophecy: Ironically, even the attempts to keep his identity secret helped to fulfill certain prophecies.
Literary device: Some scholars believe the Messianic Secret is a literary device used by Mark to emphasize the mystery surrounding Jesus' identity and challenge the reader to grapple with who he truly is.
In essence, Mark 7:36 is a paradoxical statement highlighting the tension between Jesus' desire for controlled revelation and the irresistible urge of those who experienced his power to share the good news. It speaks to the transformative nature of encountering Jesus and the difficulty of containing such a profound experience. It also adds to the complex portrayal of Jesus in Mark's Gospel.