Matthew 9:31 - But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

Generated Verse: Matthew 9:31

What does "Matthew 9:31" mean?


The verse "But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land" from Matthew 9:31 is a direct follow-up to Jesus healing two blind men. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"But they went out...": This refers to the two men who had just been healed by Jesus.
"...and spread abroad his fame...": This means they told everyone they encountered about Jesus and the miracle he performed for them. They actively promoted Jesus' reputation and power.
"...in all that land.": This indicates the geographical scope of their actions. They didn't keep the news to themselves or a small group; they shared it widely throughout the entire region.

In essence, the verse highlights:

Disobedience: Jesus had specifically instructed them not to tell anyone (Matthew 9:30). Their actions were a direct defiance of his command.
Enthusiasm and Gratitude: Despite disobeying, their actions stemmed from an overwhelming sense of gratitude and excitement about what Jesus had done for them. They were so overjoyed and amazed that they couldn't contain themselves.
Spread of the Gospel (unintentionally): Regardless of their disobedience, their actions inadvertently contributed to the spread of Jesus' reputation and the growing awareness of his ministry. This, in turn, likely led to more people seeking him out and potentially more opportunities for him to teach and perform miracles.

Why did Jesus tell them to keep quiet, and why did they disobey?

There are several possible reasons why Jesus might have wanted them to keep quiet:

To Avoid Overwhelming Crowds: Jesus often sought to avoid becoming a spectacle. Large crowds could hinder his ability to teach and minister effectively.
To Prevent Premature Political Upheaval: Some believe Jesus wanted to avoid being seen primarily as a political Messiah, as that could incite rebellion against Roman rule before the time was right.
To Focus on His Mission: Jesus' primary mission was to preach the Gospel and prepare his disciples. The constant attention from crowds could distract from these core goals.
To Demonstrate Faithfulness: The act of obedience was also important.

The blind men's disobedience, while potentially misguided, underscores the powerful and transformative impact of Jesus' miracles. Their inability to contain their joy and gratitude ultimately contributed to the spread of his fame. Their disobedience is a stark contrast to faith, although some may say it was driven by faith; they had faith in Jesus so they had to spread the news.

It's worth noting that this is not the only time people disobeyed Jesus' instructions to keep his miracles quiet. It's a recurring theme in the Gospels, suggesting the immense difficulty people had in suppressing such incredible news.

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