Why did Jesus always say, "Don't tell anyone about this"?

Question

Was he using reverse psychology, or did he really not want anyone to know about his miracles? Just idle curiosity. :)

Sorry, I don't know the exact verse, but when Jesus raised a little girl from the dead, he told everyone present not to tell anyone about it. He told everyone who wasn't there that the little girl had only been sleeping.

Answer 1

Jesus was simply trying to keep down the crowds so that He could do His ministry.

He was modest, and sometimes He went to wilderness and prayed.

He did not like too much commotion around Him.

He did not wish to parade His Messianic claims, especially among Jews, since they had a false expectation of a political redeemer who would deliver them from the yoke of Rome. One time they even wanted to make Him king by force because of His signs which He did. (John 6:14-15). And that was why He came here for. His purpose was to die on the cross, but it was not the God's time yet.

Answer 2

Often wondered about that, too... Another time, He tells someone He just healed not to follow Him, but to go tell others what great things God had done for him... I don't think He was using reverse psychology as that would've been manipulation on His part. I think He was just above that sort of thing... While we're on the topic, why did Paul circumcise Timothy after meeting with the church to discourage such keepings w/the old law in Acts 15-17...? After all, in Galatians, Paul tells us that whoever gets circumcised is a debtor to keep the whole law. And, of course, elsewhere he tells us that circumcision is nothing...? Yes, we of the body of Christ have many questions... Like: So much for the brethren, what about the sistren...? LOL

Answer 3

Jesus did this several times early in his ministry, because the crowds were getting to the point where (according to Mark 3:20) Jesus and the disciples couldn't even get a minute to eat.

He also did it when he healed people who had leprosy or bloody discharges that under the law made them unclean and so not able to be near other people. They were told to go and get checked by the priest and declared clean first. Otherwise they were in danger of being stoned to death.

It is also a common idea that Jesus did miracles to prove his was divine. Yet many of his miracles were done in private, or because people forced their way to him for a miracle, or touched him or begged him for healings. Jesus did not heal to prove he was God. He healed because the people needed to be healed. He didn't need the publcity. He was already drawing crowds in the thousands. (And he proved he was God by raising from the dead. That's even harder then healing miracles.)

Answer 4

I thin Jesus was an extroverted introvert. I am and I would understand that. He wanted to help people but it would be just such a hassle to be known like that. If I were doing miracles I would love to see the look on their face, but I wouldn't want them to spread it around because then I'd never get to have quiet time. It's not a very theological answer, but I think it's plausable. He did try to slip away for quiet time a bunch of times and people kept following him, so I guess there is some evidence for that. He loved people but he also wanted a chance to be alone.

Answer 5

The verses in Mark are toward the end of His ministry. As was the incident (in John) where He raised Lazarus from the dead.

My belief is that He warned them not to tell for their own safety. The cheif priests plotted to put Lazarus to death after Jesus raised him.



Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking."

Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."

Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?"

So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. Mark 8:22-30

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11

Answer 6

Jesus was sure of saying this because the key points in his life where he proves his divinity in his life is proven in such events like his transfiguration, the raising of the dead girl and so forth..

But fact of the matter is, when ppl start acclaiming him as Messiah...on the way to Jerusalem, (and he sis not stop them) One week later, He's on the Cross!! He needed time to live.. be4 he decided it was time...the spoke of "the hour" Remember??

Answer 7

He often wanted the information of the Miracle or?? withheld until the time was right.

The boys at the Temple or Synagag should be told first (custom) - but often the enthusiasm ran away with mouths and it was blabbed at the wrong place first.

Answer 8

There are many instances when Jesus would heal or deliver someone.

Then he would say "Don't tell anyone about this. Keep it to yourself." Then he would tell them to go to the temple and make the required cleansing sacrifice, etc.,

And then the people healed would not listen and proclaim it out loud and not listen to His orders.

Answer 9

Perhaps this answers your question:

"After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself."
~John 6:14-16 (NIV)

Answer 10

I believe it was because people disobey God, when he want them to say something such as spreading the Gospel, Gods Word, people don't do it, but when it came down not saying nothing we still couldn't do what we were asked not to do. Similar to the garden of Eden. When word got around that he was doing these acts this is when they start to fear him and plot against him. thus leading to the Crucifixion