Devine Scripture

Matthew 16:20

What does Matthew 16:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 16:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 16:20 means

Jesus "charged the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ." This command for silence, often called the "Messianic secret," was likely intended to manage public perception of His Messiahship, preventing a premature or politically motivated uprising against Rome. The people held expectations of a conquering king, and Jesus needed to first redefine Messiahship through His suffering and death, ensuring His true mission was understood without unhelpful earthly connotations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then he gave orders to the disciples to give no man word that he was the Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then did he charge his disciples that they may say to no one that he is Jesus the Christ.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he enjoined on his disciples that they should say to no man that he was the Christ.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' granting of authority, providing a crucial directive regarding the timing of this profound truth's public revelation. It marks a clear shift in the narrative, moving Jesus and His disciples towards understanding the true nature of His Messiahship, which will necessitate suffering. This command sets the stage for Jesus' first prediction of His passion.

v.19I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

v.20This passage

v.21From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 8:30

    And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

  • John 1:41

    He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ).

  • Matthew 8:4

    And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • 1 John 5:1

    Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

  • 1 John 2:22

    Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.

  • Matthew 17:9

    And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.

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