In the Gospels, we often encounter moments where Jesus performs a miracle and then instructs those he healed to keep it a secret. A prime example is seen in Mark 1:43-44, where, after healing a man with leprosy, Jesus sternly warns him not to tell anyone.

This raises a pertinent question: Why would Jesus, whose miracles were signs of His divine authority, instruct secrecy? Also wouldn’t Jesus have gained more followers if He capitalized on the results of the miracles?

Here are a few reasons why Jesus commanded not to tell others of the miracles he performed.

The Jewish people held specific expectations of the Messiah, often anticipating a political liberator. Jesus’ ministry, however, was not about overthrowing political powers but about establishing a spiritual kingdom.

Also, Jesus knew that the miracles would have had distracted the public from His true message and hindered His mission. Jesus did not want people to follow Him only for physical healing, but for who He was.

Moreover, Jesus wanted people to focus on the gospel message, not the miracles He performed. Today, the same is true. Rather than focusing on physical or financial blessings, God would prefer that we focus on the miracle of salvation. We should approach Jesus with an empty heart that is open to receiving Him rather than approaching Him with empty hands seeking to fill them with worldly pleasures.

Additionally, Jesus may have also wanted to avoid premature attention from the religious leaders which could have hindered His ministry’s progression.

Today, the principle behind Jesus’ command for secrecy holds a vital lesson. It urges believers to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with Him, beyond the allure of physical or financial blessings.

The emphasis lies on the spiritual transformation Jesus offers through the miracle of salvation – a gift that, unlike the miracles of Jesus’ time, is meant to be shared openly with the world.