Mark 7:36 Why ordered to keep healing secret? Why disobey? Why no explanation?

[DoGodsBidding]

Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 7:31-37, “The Healing of a Deaf Man”: Why did Jesus order them not to tell anyone? Since he knew they would disobey, why did He order it anyway (and repeatedly)? Why didn’t He say something different? Why is there no explanation in the Bible for this attempt at secrecy?

From the New Jerome Biblical Commentary:

“Jesus’ prohibition of talking about the cure is probably part of Mark’s insistence that Jesus is more than a healer and that his full identity will be revealed only in the cross and resurrection. The prohibition has the opposite effect. The reaction of the crowd gives witness to the reality of the cure, while underlining the theme of Jesus’ identity.”

 

[clem456]

Our Msgr had a good homily on this Sunday.

Christ comes as God’s out-pouring of himself, for the sake of others. He comes into human flesh to live for others. Jesus does not perform miracles for his own fame, power, or position. He touches and heals people just for the sake of touching and healing them, not to pump up his ministry.

I found this a very hard lesson.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

However, Jesus did not ALWAYS tell people to not reveal him.

In Mark 5, after the demons named Legion ran off the cliff with the pigs, the healed man was told by Jesus to tell all.

Mark 5.18 “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the ten towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”

So how does this figure with the idea that Jesus did not want to reveal himself until the end?

 

[GEddie]

However, Jesus did not ALWAYS tell people to not reveal him.

In Mark 5, after the demons named Legion ran off the cliff with the pigs, the healed man was told by Jesus to tell all.

Mark 5.18 “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the ten towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”

So how does this figure with the idea that Jesus did not want to reveal himself until the end?

The Decapolis was outside of Israel (present day Golan, east of the Sea of Galilee) and so someone preaching about Him there would not affect the remainder of His mission, which would lead Him back into Jerusalem.

ICXC NIKA

 

[CHRISTINE77]

The Decapolis was outside of Israel (present day Golan, east of the Sea of Galilee) and so someone preaching about Him there would not affect the remainder of His mission, which would lead Him back into Jerusalem.

ICXC NIKA

That’s interesting. But in any case he did want to be revealed before his death.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

The Decapolis was outside of Israel (present day Golan, east of the Sea of Galilee) and so someone preaching about Him there would not affect the remainder of His mission, which would lead Him back into Jerusalem.

ICXC NIKA

In Mark 7
"31 Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns.[l] 32 A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

33 Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” 35 Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!"

From this passage it seems that Jesus did continue his mission through the Ten Towns.