Mark 8:26
And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλεν
away
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
away
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
2 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 19
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἶκον
house
G3624
οἶκον
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
6 of 19
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 19
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
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
First-century Jewish messianic expectations centered on military-political deliverance from Rome, not a suffering servant. Premature public messianic claims could trigger Roman suppression and popular revolt, forcing Jesus's hand before His appointed hour. The command to silence appears frequently in Mark's Gospel, preserving Jesus's control over the revelation timeline.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God called you to quiet faithfulness rather than public testimony? How did you respond?
- What does Jesus's context-sensitive approach (silence here, proclamation in Mark 5:19) teach about wisdom in evangelism?
- How do you balance the call to 'tell what God has done' with Jesus's example of strategic restraint?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town—Jesus's command for silence (variations of which appear throughout Mark as the 'messianic secret') reflects careful timing regarding public messianic claims. The Greek construction mēde eis tēn kōmēn eiselthēs (μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην εἰσέλθῃς, 'neither enter into the village') with mēde eipēs tini (μηδὲ εἴπῃς τινὶ, 'nor tell anyone') creates emphatic prohibition.
This concealment strategy operates on multiple levels:
Bethsaida's persistent unbelief (Matthew 11:21) makes it particularly inappropriate for testimony. The healed man's obedience—being sent home rather than into town—contrasts with the Gerasene demoniac who was commissioned to tell (Mark 5:19), showing Jesus's varied strategies depending on context and audience receptivity.