Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 16:20

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

We met with some Charges of this Nature before, given to those whom he had miraculously Cured, that they should tell no Man of it, Mat. 8.4. & 9.30. but this seemeth to differ from them. There he only forbad the Publication of his Miracles: Here he forbids them Preaching, that Iesus was the Christ, a Doctrine necessary to be believed, in order to Peoples Salvation. We are not able to give an Account of all our Saviours particular Actions. 1. We are sure this was a Precept, but of a Temporary Force and Obligation, for we know that afterward they did sufficiently publish this abroad, only for a time, he would not have it published by his Disciples. We cannot certainly determine whether he forbid them. 1. Because they were not as yet fit to publish so gre[illegible: 1 letter]t a Truth. Or, 2. Because the time was not yet co[illegible: 1 letter]e, for the Publication of it. Or, 3. He would not have it published, till he rose again fro[illegible: 1 letter] the dead, having Triumphed over Death, lest People hearing of it before, should have had their Faith shaken by his Death; which seemeth very probable, because in the next Words, he begins to speak of his Death. Or, 4. That he might hereby (as much as might be) avoid the Odium and Envy of the Pharisees. Or, 5. That himself might publish first this great truth of the Gospel, and confirm it by his Miracles.

Marginal references: Chap. 1[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter] ▪ Mar. 8.3[illegible: 1 letter]. Luk. 9.21.