Mark 7:36

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.

Mark 7:36 in Other Translations

36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

36 Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news.

36 Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more,

36 Then He ordered them to tell no one, but the more He would order them, the more they would proclaim it.

Mark 7:36 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 7:36

And he charged them
The man that had his hearing and speech restored to him, and those that brought him, and as many as were witnesses of the miracle:

that they should tell no man;
of the cure that was wrought, being not desirous of the applause of men; and knowing it would bring upon him the envy of the Scribes and Pharisees; and be a means of putting the common people upon setting him up as a temporal king, such as they expected the Messiah would be:

but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they
published [it];
or "spake of him", as the Ethiopic version reads it; for they looked upon his charge merely to proceed from modesty, and that made them the more forward to speak of his greatness and in his praise, to publish his mighty works, and spread the fame of his miracles far and near. So, such who have received the grace of God, are become acquainted with Christ, and have a real experience of divine things, cannot but speak of them; they are like new wine which hath no vent; and are ready to burst like new bottles; to forbear speaking is a pain, and weariness to them; nay, they think, should they hold their peace, the stones in the walls would cry out. Wherefore, partly for the glory of God, the magnifying of the riches of his grace, and the honour of Christ, and the blessed Spirit; and partly to show their own sense of things, the gratitude of their minds, and the thankfulness of their hearts, as well as for the use, comfort, edification, and instruction of others, they must speak, and cannot be silent, whatever restraints are laid upon them.

Mark 7:36 In-Context

34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”).

35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.

37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Cross References

• 1. S Matthew 8:4