Jesus Not to be Made Known - Matthew 12:16

Matthew the apostle wrote when Jesus, “was departed from there, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then said he to the man, Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;”, and in chapter twelve and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus, “charged them that they should not make him known” where we read:

And charged them that they should not make him known:

The verse reads, “And charged them …” Matthew began with the words, “and charged” which means “Jesus admonished, adjudged, chided and reproved” “them” which refers to “the multitudes who were healed”. Matthew shared how Jesus gave a directive to the multitude who surrounded Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... that they should not make him known:” Matthew continued with the words, “that they should not make him” which means “that the multitude of people were not to produce, fashion, form, bear or make ready for Jesus to be” “known” or “manifested, plainly recognized or apparent”. Matthew shared how Jesus did not want the crowd to manifest Him or make Him “plainly recognized”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus did not want people to be spreading the word about Him. Though He did great miracles among them, and they would be prone to tell about Jesus everywhere, Jesus “charged” them not to do so. God has His plan in place, and the timing for His plan is according to His own sovereignty. People would have made Jesus more popular than He was, but His timing for all His works were according to His plan. Those who are wise will realize when Jesus gives them direction, He has a plan, and He is going to work it out.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told them, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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