Matthew 16:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus charges them to tell no one yet that he is the Christ.
What Does Matthew 16:20 Mean?
Strangely, right after this great confession, Jesus orders the disciples to tell no one that he is the Christ. The command guards against misunderstanding. Many longed for a political deliverer who would throw off Roman rule, and a premature proclamation would have stirred expectations Jesus had not come to fulfill.
His messiahship would be revealed his way, through suffering and resurrection, not through a popular uprising. There is a wisdom in God's timing that restrains even good news until hearts are ready to receive it rightly. The charge to silence prepares for the next words, where Jesus begins to redefine what 'Christ' truly means by speaking, for the first time plainly, of the cross.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:20
What does Matthew 16:20 mean?
Jesus charges them to tell no one yet that he is the Christ.