Matthew 9:30
And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know 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
ἀνεῴχθησαν
were opened
G455
ἀνεῴχθησαν
were opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
2 of 14
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
αὐτοῖς
their
G846
αὐτοῖς
their
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοί
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοί
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
5 of 14
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνεβριμησατο
straitly charged
G1690
ἐνεβριμησατο
straitly charged
Strong's:
G1690
Word #:
7 of 14
to have indignation on, i.e., (transitively) to blame, (intransitively) to sigh with chagrin, (specially) to sternly enjoin
αὐτοῖς
their
G846
αὐτοῖς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
10 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὁρᾶτε
See
G3708
Ὁρᾶτε
See
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
12 of 14
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
Cross References
Matthew 8:4And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.Luke 5:14And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.Mark 5:43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.Matthew 17:9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.Matthew 12:16And charged them that they should not make him known:Luke 8:56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Historical Context
Jewish messianic expectations in the first century were predominantly political and military—Messiah would overthrow Rome, restore David's kingdom, and establish Israel's glory. Miracle-working intensified these expectations. Jesus needed to redefine messiahship through the cross before full revelation. Premature proclamation would trigger Roman suppression and religious opposition before Jesus completed His teaching ministry. The 'messianic secret' functioned to control revelation's timing until the cross and resurrection could properly interpret Jesus' identity.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus sometimes prohibit testimony about His miracles?
- How do we balance witnessing to Jesus with respecting His wisdom about timing and method?
- What does the 'messianic secret' teach about Jesus' careful control of His mission's unfolding?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After healing the two blind men, Jesus 'straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it' (ενεβριμησατο αυτοις ο Ιησους λεγων Ορατε μηδεις γινωσκετω). The verb ενεβριμησατο (enebrēmēsato) means 'sternly warned' or 'charged with strong emotion'—this is forceful prohibition, not gentle suggestion. Why command silence about such clear proof of messiahship? Several reasons:
This 'messianic secret' pattern appears throughout the Gospels, showing Jesus carefully controlling the timing and framing of His messianic claims.