Mark 8:30
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 8
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπετίμησεν
he charged
G2008
ἐπετίμησεν
he charged
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
2 of 8
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 8
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
λέγωσιν
they should tell
G3004
λέγωσιν
they should tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Matthew 16:20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.Luke 9:21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;Mark 9:9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
Historical Context
The title 'Christ' (Christos, Χριστός, Greek for Hebrew 'Messiah') carried explosive political implications in Roman-occupied Judea. Public messianic claims had sparked revolts (Acts 5:36-37), prompting brutal Roman response. Jesus's messiahship would be demonstrated through the cross and resurrection, not military conquest, requiring careful revelation timing to avoid misunderstanding.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might your understanding of Jesus's mission be correct in label but incomplete in substance?
- How does the disciples' experience warn against premature proclamation before full understanding?
- What does Jesus's rebuke of correct but incomplete theology teach about the danger of 'half-truths' about His identity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him—Despite Peter's correct confession (Su ei ho Christos, Σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστός, 'You are the Christ,' verse 29), Jesus immediately commands silence: epetimēsen autois (ἐπετίμησεν αὐτοῖς, 'He sternly warned them') followed by hina mēdeni legōsin (ἵνα μηδενὶ λέγωσιν, 'that to no one they should speak'). The verb epitimaō carries force—a sharp rebuke or stern charge, the same term used for rebuking demons (Mark 1:25).
Why silence after correct confession? Because Peter's understanding, though accurate in identification ('You are the Messiah'), remains incomplete regarding mission. Immediately following (verses 31-33), Jesus predicts suffering, death, and resurrection—which Peter rejects, earning the rebuke 'Get behind me, Satan!' Peter's 'Messiah' meant political victor; Jesus's Messiah means suffering servant. Like the blind man who needed a second touch for clarity (verses 22-25), the disciples confess correctly but see blurrily. Premature proclamation of a misunderstood messiahship would produce false expectations, nationalist fervor, and Roman suppression—derailing the true mission of the cross.