Origins of the coined phrase, the "messianic secret"
"In 1901, a New Testament scholar named William Wrede (1859-1906) produced a book in which he argued that the Gospel According to Mark was not reliable as an unadorned record of historical fact. On the contrary, it was deeply influenced by the dogmatic beliefs of its author. In particular, Wrede found no evidence in the Gospel that Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah or that the life of Jesus was messianic. The Resurrection had convinced the disciples that Jesus was the Messiah. They then read it back into the life, ingeniously inventing the idea of the "messianic secret," according to which (as Mark presents it) no one realized that Jesus was the Messiah because he himself carefully hid it."
Education For Ministry, Year 2, The New Testament, Fourth Edition, 2000
Chapter 15, The Quest for the Historical Jesus
Original title of William Wrede's work, Das Messiasgeheimnis in Den Evangelien.
"The second epochal work dealing with the same material was written by Albert Schweitzer. He treats the messianic secret as historical, on the assumption that Jesus kept to himself the belief that he was the eschatological Messiah until it was revealed to the inner group of his disciples. (Schweitzer must transpose the Transfiguration story, in order to make it precede the confession of Peter). Jesus' claim to be the Messiah was betrayed to the authorities by Judas, and finally acknowledged by Jesus openly to the High Priest on the night before his death. But this way of handling the question fails utterly to deal with the artificiality of the commands to silence in the Markan editorial framework."
Understanding the New Testament, Kee/Young/Proehlich, Second Edition, 1965
Chapter 11, Why Jesus' Messiahship Was Not Recognized
Reference: A. Schweitzer, The Mystery of the Kingdom of God (London: A. & C. black, 1956)
"It was soon no longer conceivable that Jesus' life was unmessianic - at least in the circles of Hellenestic Christianity in which the synoptics took form. That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should have legitimated himself as such even in his earthly activity seemed self-evident, and so the gospel account of his ministry was cast in the light of messianic faith. The contradiction between this point of view and the traditional material finds expression in the theory of the Messiah-secret, which gives the Gospel of Mark its peculiar character: Jesus functioned as the Messiah, but his messiah-ship was to remain hidden until the resurrection. The demons, who recognize him, are commanded to be quiet; silence is also commanded after Peter's Confession, after the Transfiguration, and after some of the miracles. The motif of the disciples' incomprehension likewise serves the secrecy-theory, whose existence and importance W. Wrede pointed out, was incapable of being consistently carried through; hence the Gospel of Mark has been rightly characterized by the paradoxical term, book of "secret epiphanies" (Dibelius)"
Theology of the New Testament, Rudolph Bultman, Volume I, 1951
Chapter 1.4 The Question of the Messianic Consciousness of Jesus
Contrary to the theory originally presented in William Wrede's book, Messianic Secret (Das Messiasgeheimnis in Den Evangelien), a close examination of Scripture verse will demonstrate that the issue facing us concerning the biblical admonitions of Jesus is not secrecy about who he is, but rather, authority to witness to who he is.
When Jesus gave instructions not to speak about who he was, he was not implying that it was a "secret". Rather, Jesus knew that it was the work of the Holy Spirit to witness to who he was - not flesh-filled man - not demonic spirits. William Wrede erroneously tacked the word "secret" onto Scripture verse that he did not understand, and this has endured for centuries. It is time for the Truth to come out.
Through this study, I would like to demonstrate that the reason Jesus instructed the disciples and others to be quiet about him was not because he wanted to keep his identity a secret, but because Jesus knew that it was solely the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of guilt. Man's flesh-filled witness accounts, and the demonic acknowledgement of evil spirits concerning the identity of Jesus, would not be how mankind would come to the knowledge of the Lord. This would be the work of the promised Holy Spirit. And this would happen at Pentecost.
Jesus could tell people who he was, as he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist could point to Jesus and say who he was, because as the Scripture tells us, John was filled with the Holy Spirit from the time of his birth.
Everyone else would have to wait for the Upper Room experience of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
In order to demonstrate this rationale, I have extracted from the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all Scripture verse containing any admonition of Jesus, and I have separated them into the following three categories.
Index Options - Dispelling the Myth of Wrede's messianic secret
Basically, my premise is the following:
- There is no such thing as the "messianic secret". This is William Wrede's coined phrase for something that he did not understand. Once again, man has taken Scripture verse out of context.
- The issue is authority to witness to who Jesus is, rather than secrecy about who Jesus is.
- The reason for Jesus' instructions to be quiet about who he was is scripturally clear: Mankind can only be convicted concerning Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I have selected the following list of 17 Scriptures to use as a base for my study. Each interpretation of Scripture that I have provided below, has been referenced to these particular bible verses.
It is my prayer that through the process of this study, we can gain a clearer understanding of our divine call to be a witness to the nations. It is my prayer that we realize that we are a Holy Spirit people.
Scripture References:
1 Matthew 1:18
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
2 Luke 1:13-15
But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
3 Mark 1:10-11
As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
4 John 1:32-34
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
5 John 8:14-18
Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from and where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."
6 John 5:31-32,36-37a
"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid."
I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.
7 John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
8 John 6:44a
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
9 Matthew 16:15-17
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."
10 John 16:13-15
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
11 Luke 24:46-49
He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentence and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
12 Acts 1:4b-5
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
13 John 16:8-11
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
14 Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
15 Acts 2:38-39
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.
16 Mark 16:15-20
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
17 Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus' Admonitions Concerning Who He Was
Return to Index: Dispelling the Myth of Wrede's Messianic Secret
Jesus Heals the Sick, Matthew 12:15b-16
Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was.
Jesus said that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him. The Scripture tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Jesus. Pentecost had not yet happened. The disciples had been told by Jesus that they would be his witnesses, but that they were to wait for power on high, the promised Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the people in this Scripture account could not witness to who Jesus was, because they were not anointed with the Holy Spirit.
And so, Jesus' instructions to the people in the Scripture verse, not to tell who he was, have to do with their authority in being sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit, to witness to who Jesus is, rather than with keeping a secret about who he is, as theoretically suggested by Wrede's coined phrase, "messianic secret".
Peter's Confession of Christ, Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do the people say the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you? he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
The Bible tells us that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. Here is a clear indication of the Father drawing Peter by revealing to him the Truth about who Jesus is. However, Peter has not yet been clothed with power from on high, the promised Holy Spirit. He may know who Jesus is, but his word in the flesh is meaningless. As the Scripture says, it is the Holy Spirit Who will convict men of guilt in regard to sin because men do not believe in Jesus. Peter and the other disciples need to be anointed by the Holy Spirit, and this would happen only at Pentecost, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Again, the issue is not secrecy concerning the identity of Jesus, but authority in the Holy Spirit to witness to who he is.
The Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-9
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them up a high mountain. There, Jesus is transfigured before them, Elijah and Moses appear before them, a cloud envelopes them, and a voice says, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Here is another indication of the Father drawing Peter, James, and John to Jesus by revealing the Truth about who Jesus is.
But it is the same with this Scripture verse. Peter, James, and John have not yet been anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5 Pentecost has not yet happened. And Jesus clearly tells the disciples when they may be able to witness about him - after "the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." In other words, after the Resurrection.
The issue here is not secrecy, but authority. The only One Who can convict of sin is the Holy Spirit John 16:8-11, and the disciples had not yet experienced Pentecost and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5
Before the Sanhedrin, Matthew 26:62-64
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit.Jesus himself is filled with the Holy Spirit, and as the Scripture says, his testimony is valid. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus can say who he is. And, as the Scripture tells us, the Father Himself, witnesses to who Jesus is.
Jesus Before Pilate, Matthew 27:11
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, can witness to who he is. And he is the Messiah, the prophesied King of the Jews.
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit, Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!
"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? a new teaching - and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
John 6:44a tells us that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. John 16:13-15 tells us that the Spirit will take what is Jesus' and make it known to us. As written in John 16:8-11, it is the Holy Spirit Who convicts the world. Jesus told the demon to be quiet because no one can come to the Lord through the witness of a demon's words, but only through the Holy Spirit of God, and the demon was saying these words in the synagogue where people could hear.
Jesus Heals Many, Mark 1:32-34
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
The demons know who Jesus is because they already stand condemned, as is written in John 16:8-11 Again, the people could not be drawn to Jesus through hearing the words of the demons, but only by the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus would not permit them to speak. It was not a secret. Demons do not have the authority to witness to who Jesus is. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, as written in John 16:8-11
Crowds Follow Jesus, Mark 3:11-12
Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
Again, Jesus is not implying secrecy by his words, but authority. We can only be drawn to Jesus by the Father, through the Holy Spirit. No one can come to the knowledge of who Jesus is through the words of demons or evil spirits. And so Jesus instructed them not to tell who he was. They did not have the authority to witness who he was to human beings. As it is written, it is the Holy Spirit of God Who convicts the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8-11
Peter's Confession of Christ, Mark 8:27-30
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ.
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
The Scriptures above apply here as well. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, through the Holy Spirit. Pentecost had not yet happened. Peter had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5 It was not that Jesus being the Christ was a secret, but that Peter did not yet have the authority, had not yet been sent out, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to call people to Jesus, and to witness to who Jesus was. Luke 24:46-49 It is He the Holy Spirit Who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Jesus. John 16:8-11 We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to witness, because it is not us, but the Holy Spirit in us who convicts the world of sin. John 16:8-11
The Transfiguration, Mark 9:2-9
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them up a high mountain. There, Jesus is transfigured before them, Elijah and Moses appear before them, a cloud envelopes them, and a voice says, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
It is the same with this Scripture verse. Peter, James, and John have not yet been anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5 No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, through the Holy Spirit. John 6:44a Pentecost has not yet happened. The issue is not secrecy about who Jesus is, but authority to witness to who Jesus is. The only One Who can convict of sin is the Holy Spirit John 16:8-11, and the disciples had not yet experienced Pentecost and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5
Jesus Teaching his Disciples, Mark 9:30-31
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."
Jesus is teaching his disciples about who he is and preparing them for what is to come. He is equipping them for future work. As the Scripture says in Luke 24:46-49, once they are baptized with the Holy Spirit, they will give witness to who he is and to what he has done. It is the Holy Spirit who will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.
Before the Sanhedrin, Mark 14:60-62
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?"
"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Jesus himself can reveal who he is because he is filled with the Holy Spirit. He is in the Father and the Father is in him. As it is written, he is one with the Father. He can testify on his own behalf, as it is written in John 8:14-18
Jesus Before Pilate, Mark 15:2
"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate.
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, can testify on his own behalf, as the Scripture says in John 8:14-18.
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit, Luke 4:33-35
In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!"
"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and come out without injuring him.
Demons know who Jesus is because they already stand condemned. John 16:8-11 Mankind cannot be convicted about Jesus through the words of a demon, but only through the Holy Spirit. John 16:8-11 Jesus tells the demon to be quiet because demons do not have the authority (obviously) of the Holy Spirit that is needed to witness to who Jesus is.
Jesus Heals Many, Luke 4: 40-41
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.
Again, as the Scripture says, the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16:8-11 Demons do not have the right, the authority of the Holy Spirit (obviously), to witness to who Jesus is, and this is why Jesus silences them. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. It is through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that mankind is convicted of guilt, not through the words of a demon who, now condemned, knows that Jesus as the Son of God.
Peter's Confession of Christ, Luke 9:18-22
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
Jesus is preparing the disciples for ministry to witness to who he is. Luke 24:46-49
The disciples hear who Jesus is as Peter answers that he is the Christ, the anointed One, of God. However, they have not yet been anointed with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts men of sin. The disciples have to wait for Pentecost.
This is why Jesus instructs them to be quiet about him. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit their witness will be ineffective. As it is written, it is the Holy Spirit Who convicts men.
The Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what he was saying.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afaid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them up a high mountain. There, Jesus is transfigured before them, Elijah and Moses appear before them, a cloud envelopes them, and a voice says, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
It is the same with this Scripture verse. Peter, James, and John have not yet been anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5 No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, through the Holy Spirit. John 6:44a Pentecost has not yet happened. The issue is not secrecy about who Jesus is, but authority to witness to who Jesus is. The only One Who can convict of sin is the Holy Spirit John 16:8-11, and the disciples had not yet experienced Pentecost and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4b-5
Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, their witness would be ineffective.
Jesus Before the Council, Luke 22:66-71
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."
Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am."
Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."
Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit, therefore he can tell them that he is the Son of God.
Jesus Before Pilate, Luke 23:1-3
Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.
So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
Again, Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, can witness to who he is, Christ, the Anointed One, the prophesied king of the Jews.
As the Scripture says, his testimony is valid. John 8:14-18
John's Testimony, John 1:32-34
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
It is written that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. In this Scripture, it is revealed to John by the Father that Jesus is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. And, as it is written in Luke 1:15b, John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. As he is filled with the Holy Spirit, he can witness to who Jesus is.
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman, John 4:25-26
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit, and can say who he is, the Messiah, called Christ.
As the Scripture says, his testimony is valid. John 8:14-18
Many Samaritans Believe, John 4:39-42
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34), can tell the Samaritans who he is.
As it is written, his testimony is valid. John 8:14-18
The Disciples Believe That Jesus came from God, John 16:29-30
Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, can tell the disciples who he is, and through the Holy Spirit, they believe.
Other biblical admonitions made by Jesus
Return to Index: Dispelling the Myth of Wrede's Messianic Secret
The Man With Leprosy, Matthew 8:1-4
When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
Jesus said that he came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. People who had leprosy were to keep themselves separate from society. They were to continually cry out "Unclean!" "Unclean!", as they walked, to warn people that they were coming. They were ostracized from society. In telling the man not to tell anyone about his healing, Jesus was not implying that it was a secret. Jesus was simply instructing the man as to the right thing to do according to the Law, now that he was healed: he told him to go and show himself to the priest and to offer the sacrifices that Moses had commanded for his cleansing as a testimony to them. Then the priests would publicly pronounce him clean, thereby restoring him to community, as well as witnessing to what God had done. There was nothing secret about what Jesus said to the man. He was simply instructing him as to the right thing to do at this point, the thing that would be the best for him, and that would restore him to community: A public announcement of his cleansing by the priests.As well, there is the issue of authority to witness to who Jesus is. This man could not be an effective witness as he was not anointed with the Holy Spirit Who convicts the world of guilt in reference to sin.
Jesus Heals the Blind Men, Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you", and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that on one knows about this." But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
Pentecost had not yet happened. The blind men were not clothed with power from on high, the promised Holy Spirit. They had not been sent out to witness in the power of the Holy Spirit. As they had not been baptized by the Holy Spirit, Jesus still being upon the earth, the Lord Jesus would not be working with them and confirming his word through them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Their witness would be ineffective, as it is the Holy Spirit Who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Jesus. This is why Jesus instructs them not to talk about him.
A Man With Leprosy, Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Jesus said that he came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. People who had leprosy were to keep themselves separate from society. They were to continually cry out "Unclean!" "Unclean!", as they walked, to warn people that they were coming. They were ostracized from society. In telling the man not to tell anyone about his healing, Jesus was not implying that it was a secret. Jesus was simply instructing the man as to the right thing to do according to the Law, now that he was healed: he told him to go and show himself to the priest and to offer the sacrifices that Moses had commanded for his cleansing as a testimony to them. Then the priests would publicly pronounce him clean, thereby restoring him to community, as well as witnessing to what God had done. There was nothing secret about what Jesus said to the man. He was simply instructing him as to the right thing to do at this point, the thing that would be the best for him, and that would restore him to community: A public announcement of his cleansing by the priests.
Jairus's Daughter to Life, Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at this feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying, Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." So Jesus went with him.
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
When Jesus instructs the disciples and the girl's parents not to talk about what happened, Jesus is obviously not referring to the fact that the girl is now alive. The people would certainly see this when she walks out of the room with her parents.
Jesus is referring to the details of the healing, as well as to the witness account that the parents and the disciples would be eager to talk about.
The disciples and Jairus and his wife, being Jewish, would certainly know the stories of the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, and both of the accounts of their raising the widows' sons from the dead. Elijah and Elish did much more to bring about the healing of the widows' sons than Jesus did. Elijah stretched himself out 3 times on the boy and cried to the Lord. Elisha had Gehazi lay his staff on the boy's face to no avail, then stretched himself out upon the boy twice. The boy sneezed 7 times, and then opened his eyes.
Jesus had simply taken the girl's hand and commanded her to get up. He had ordered a dead person to get up, and she did so immediately and began walking around.Jesus was always concerned that the Father get the Glory. He said, "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." Jn 8:28b Pentecost had not yet happened. Neither the disciples nor Jairus and his wife were filled with the Holy Spirit. As it is written, the testimony of the Holy Spirit is what is needed for effective witness. This is why Jesus told them not to talk about what had happened. Their witness would not be effective, as they had not been clothed with power from on high, or sent out to witness.
The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman, Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence a secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Jesus always did things in the right way. He was first and foremost a Jew, and so his ministry was first and foremost, as a Jew, to the Jews. Mt 10:1-8
- Although he was the Son of God, as a Jewish baby, he was circumcised on the eighth day. Luke 2:21
- When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Luke 2:22-24
- Concerning his baptism, Jesus said to John, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Mt 3:15Tyre was a coastal city. Knowing that Gentiles now knew of him and his power to heal and deliver, he tried to keep a low profile.
The Syrophoenician woman, a Greek, a Gentile, answers Jesus, Midrash fashion. By her answer, she shows Jesus her faith - that she trusts God to provide for all, even the "dogs under the table" (in her case, "dogs" meaning the Gentiles).
Jesus commends her for her faith - her trust in God to this extent - and delivers her daughter from the demon.
The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man, Mark 7:31-37
Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Neither the man nor the people around him had been filled with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost had not yet happened. They had neither been clothed with power from on high nor been commissioned by Jesus to go out.Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, their witness is ineffective for kingdom work, as can be seen by the description here of how people reacted to the news of the healing.
"People were overwhelmed with amazement." They are speaking of how well Jesus has performed.
No mention of God, no praise to God, no faith in Jesus.
The focus is on the gifts rather than on the Giver. This is why Jesus instructs them not to talk about him. They have not been sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit. They do not have the authority to witness.
The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida, Mark 8:22-26
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."
Note: In some manuscripts it is written, "Don't go and tell anyone in the village."
The blind man has not been filled with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost has not yet happened. Jesus said that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him. This man cannot, in his own flesh, witness to who Jesus is. It is the Holy Spirit who works in men's hearts to convict them. This is why Jesus sent the man home, and instructed him not to go to the village and witness what Jesus had done for him. The man was not Spirit-filled. The Spirit would not be poured out until Jesus had gone to the Cross.This had nothing to do with secrecy about Jesus, but rather about authority to witness to who he was.
The Man With Leprosy, Luke 5:12-14
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
Jesus said that he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Jesus always did things in the right way. In order for the man to be restored to his family, to the community, he needed to do what the Law said. Then the priest would make a public announcement of his healing to the people. It would also be a witness to the priest.
As it is written, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we witness about Jesus to others. The man cannot do this in his own flesh. Jesus was still on the earth, and the Holy Spirit would not be poured out for men until after he had gone to the Cross. Baptized in the Holy Spirit, and sent out, commissioned, we can go forth, and the Lord will work with us and confirm His Word by the signs that accompany it. This man was not filled with the Holy Spirit, and this is why Jesus told him not to tell anyone.Again, it is a question of authority, not secrecy.
Jairus's Daughter to Life, Luke 8:40-42, 49-56
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."
They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
When Jesus instructs the disciples and the girl's parents not to talk about what happened, Jesus is obviously not referring to the fact that the girl is now alive. The people would certainly see this when she walks out of the room with her parents.
Jesus is referring to the details of the healing, as well as to the witness account that the parents and the disciples would be eager to talk about.
The disciples and Jairus and his wife, being Jewish, would certainly know the stories of the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, and both of the accounts of their raising the widows' sons from the dead. Elijah and Elish did much more to bring about the healing of the widows' sons than Jesus did. Elijah stretched himself out 3 times on the boy and cried to the Lord. Elisha had Gehazi lay his staff on the boy's face to no avail, then stretched himself out upon the boy twice. The boy sneezed 7 times, and then opened his eyes.
Jesus had simply taken the girl's hand and commanded her to get up. He had ordered a dead person to get up, and she did so immediately and began walking around.Jesus was always concerned that the Father get the Glory. He said, "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." Jn 8:28b Pentecost had not yet happened. Neither the disciples nor Jairus and his wife were filled with the Holy Spirit. As it is written, the testimony of the Holy Spirit is what is needed for effective witness. This is why Jesus told them not to talk about what had happened. Their witness would not be effective, as they had not been clothed with power from on high, or sent out to witness.
Positive Admonitions Made by Jesus
Return to Index: Dispelling the Myth of Wrede's Messianic Secret
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man, Mark 5: 18-20
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man, Luke 8:38-39
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
First, a reminder that the issue being addressed in this paper is who has the authority to witness that Jesus is the Son of God, the prophesied and promised Messiah.The man who had been demon-possessed begged Jesus to go with him. Jesus wouldn't let him. During this time, Jesus has been spending time with his disciples, teaching them and preparing them for ministry work. In Mark 6:7 & Luke 9:1-2, we read that Jesus sends out the Twelve. And so, those who were with Jesus were being prepared for ministry work, to preach repentence, to drive out demons, to heal the sick. Mark 6:12-13, Luke 9:1-2
The instructions Jesus gave to this man, who had been living, isolated, among the tombs, hurting himself, and often chained, was to go home. The Lord's verbal instruction to the man was clear: Tell his family how much the Lord had done for him.
No "secrecy" as to who Jesus is has been implied here. Jesus simply made the decision to restore the man to his family, rather than have the man come along with him and his disciples.
This was a judicious decision on the part of Jesus, it would seem.
Case in point: It is logical to assume that the man had not, because of his demon-possession, had the opportunity to be prepared as the disciples had been, for ministry work with Jesus. Also, the man was probably not a Jew, being from the Decapolis in the region of the Gerasenes, and so would need instruction on the Scriptures.
As concerns his healing, the man's family would obviously know that he had been healed of his demon-possession, and so the man was instructed by Jesus to give the credit for his healing to God.
This is a separate issue from the identity of Jesus.
In 1901, William Wrede, misunderstanding Jesus' admonitions to the disciples, to the demons, to the newly healed & delivered, not to witness to who he was, erroneously latched on to the word "secret", and coined the phrase 'messianic secret'. As we can see from this study, 'secrecy' had very little to do with our Lord's instructions to those around him at the time of his ministry on this earth.
God's Word tells us:
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. John 6:44a He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentence and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:46-49
When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16:8-11
As we can see from these Scripture verses...
- Mankind cannot be drawn to Jesus through the words of demons telling who Christ is, as they now stand condemned
- Mankind cannot be drawn to Jesus through the witness words of disciples not yet filled with the Holy Spirit
- Mankind cannot be drawn to Jesus through the witness words of newly healed & delivered people not yet anointed with the Holy Spirit
These things would happen after Pentecost.
It is also written:
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Joel 2:28-29
And these are the days.
We the redeemed, the anointed & set free, can now point to Jesus, as John the Baptist did so long ago, and say...
For we are now a Holy Spirit people.
