Mark 7:36

Authorized King James Version

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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;

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διεστέλλετο he charged G1291
διεστέλλετο he charged
Strong's: G1291
Word #: 2 of 14
to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
αὐτοῖς them G846
αὐτοῖς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 3 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 4 of 14
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
μηδενὶ no man G3367
μηδενὶ no man
Strong's: G3367
Word #: 5 of 14
not even one (man, woman, thing)
εἴπωσιν· they should tell G2036
εἴπωσιν· they should tell
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 6 of 14
to speak or say (by word or writing)
ὅσον the more G3745
ὅσον the more
Strong's: G3745
Word #: 7 of 14
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
δὲ but G1161
δὲ but
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 8 of 14
but, and, etc
αὐτοῖς them G846
αὐτοῖς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 9 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτοῖς them G846
αὐτοῖς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 10 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διεστέλλετο he charged G1291
διεστέλλετο he charged
Strong's: G1291
Word #: 11 of 14
to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
μᾶλλον so much the more G3123
μᾶλλον so much the more
Strong's: G3123
Word #: 12 of 14
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
περισσότερον a great deal G4054
περισσότερον a great deal
Strong's: G4054
Word #: 13 of 14
in a more superabundant way
ἐκήρυσσον they published G2784
ἐκήρυσσον they published
Strong's: G2784
Word #: 14 of 14
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)

Analysis & Commentary

He charged them that they should tell no man—Jesus repeatedly commanded silence after healings, the messianic secret motif. Several explanations:

  1. avoiding premature confrontation before His appointed hour
  2. popular messianic expectations focused on political liberation from Rome rather than spiritual salvation
  3. Jesus prioritized teaching and relationship over signs. But the more he charged them, so much the more they published it—the more Jesus commanded silence, the more zealously they proclaimed.

The Greek verb means heralded—gospel preaching terminology. They could not contain witness. This illustrates gospel power: genuine Christ encounter produces irrepressible testimony. The healed cannot stay silent (Acts 4:20).

Historical Context

First-century Palestine seethed with messianic expectation and revolutionary fervor. Multiple pretenders arose promising to overthrow Rome. If Jesus was proclaimed Messiah-miracle-worker, crowds would force Him into that mold (John 6:15). Such movements provoked Roman crackdowns. Jesus's timing was providential—proclaimed Messiah during Passion Week when the cross was imminent, after teaching clarified the kingdom's spiritual nature.

Questions for Reflection

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