Mark 3:12

12 But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.

Mark 3:12 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 3:12

And he straitly charged them
Or vehemently rebuked them, as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; or threatened them much and vehemently, as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic. The Persic version renders it, "threatened many"; both the devils that confessed him, and the many that were healed of their diseases: he gave them a strict and severe charge,

that they should not make him known;
or "his work", as the Arabic, his miracles: he sought not vain glory and popular applause, nor did he need the testimony of men or devils; and especially did not choose the latter, lest his enemies should traduce him, as having familiarity with them, as they did.

Mark 3:12 In-Context

10 for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him.

11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!"

12 But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.

13 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him.

14 And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message,