And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus’ command to tell no one wasn't about suppressing His fame, but about fulfilling the Law’s requirements and focusing on the spiritual purpose behind the ritual cleansing. The offering, commanded by Moses, was to serve as a tangible "testimony" to the priests that God’s healing power was at work, not just a mere social formality.
And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just healed a man suffering from a severe case of leprosy, a miraculous act that would normally spark widespread excitement. However, Jesus sternly commands the man to tell no one, instead instructing him to go directly to the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifices, as commanded by Moses. This fulfills the legal requirements and serves as a public demonstration for the religious authorities.
Why would Jesus, who came to heal and save, tell someone he just miraculously healed to keep quiet?
Jesus' early ministry involved a strategic command for silence after miracles.
Reasons for Reticence
Jesus sent the healed leper to the priests, but why? Wasn't Jesus' healing power enough?
Jesus upheld the Mosaic Law, even after performing a miracle that superseded it.
The Priest's Role
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Understand the original words
thysia · Greek Noun
The voluntary giving of something to God to express worship, atonement, or gratitude, often following specific ceremonial laws given in the Pentateuch.
Mōysēs · Greek Proper Noun
The law or instructions given by God to Israel through Moses, forming the covenantal foundation for the life, ethics, and worship of the people of God.
Jesus' instruction to the healed leper to follow the Mosaic Law for cleansing and offering a sacrifice served as a powerful act of respect for the existing religious system, even as He demonstrated His authority over it.
~1400 BC
Leviticus Laws Promulgated
The Law of Moses, including detailed instructions for diagnosing, quarantining, and cleansing lepers, is given to the Israelites. These laws, particularly those in Leviticus 14, prescribe specific rituals and sacrifices for those declared clean.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and destroy the First Temple. This event marks a profound crisis for Jewish identity and religious practice, intensifying the importance of the Law and its prescribed rituals.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Babylonian exile, Jewish people return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple and their society. The Law of Moses remains central to their restored community.
c. 2nd Century BC
Development of the Mishnah
During this period, oral traditions and interpretations of the Law, including detailed discussions on leprosy and its cleansing rituals found in Leviticus, begin to be codified. This would later form part of the Mishnah.
c. 20 BC - AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing miracles and teaching. His actions often intersect with the established religious practices and laws of Judaism.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Heals a Leper
Jesus encounters a man 'full of leprosy' and heals him. He instructs the man to go to the priest and present the offering prescribed by Moses for his cleansing, as a testimony to them.
This passage details the specific offerings and procedures commanded by Moses for a leper who had been healed, directly fulfilling Jesus' instruction in Luke 5:14.
Matthew 8:4Matthew's account of the same healing includes Jesus' command to show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed sacrifice, reinforcing the theme of obedience to Mosaic Law even in the midst of miraculous healing.
Mark 1:44Mark's Gospel also records Jesus' strict charge to the healed leper to tell no one but to go and present himself to the priest, highlighting the deliberate choice to avoid widespread sensationalism early in his ministry.
Isaiah 42:2This prophetic passage speaks of the Servant who will not cry out or lift up his voice in the streets, reflecting Jesus' desire for a more subdued ministry and his charge to the leper to avoid drawing undue public attention.
Luke 9:22This verse, and others like it, show Jesus' ongoing pattern of preparing his disciples for his suffering and death, indicating that his primary mission was not simply as a miracle-worker, but as a Savior, which also informed his approach to publicity.
cambridgeLuke 5:14: "And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."
14 . he charged him to tell no man ] These injunctions to reticence marked especially the early part of the ministry. See Luke 4:35 , Luke 5:14 , Luke 8:56 . The reasons were probably (i) personal to the healed sufferer, lest his inward thankfulness should be dissipated by the idle and boastful gossip of curiosity (St Chrys…
pulpitLuke 5:14: "And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."
Verse 14. - And he charged him to tell no man. We find this desire of Jesus to check publicity after he had worked one of his great works, especially in the earlier part of his ministry. Chrysostom attributes this to the Master's regard for the one who had been healed, desiring that his gratitude to God for the mercy vouchs…
Jesus’ command to tell no one wasn't about suppressing His fame, but about fulfilling the Law’s requirements and focusing on the spiritual purpose behind the ritual cleansing. The offering, commanded by Moses, was to serve as a tangible "testimony" to the priests that God’s healing power was at work, not just a mere social formality.
Jesus has just healed a man suffering from a severe case of leprosy, a miraculous act that would normally spark widespread excitement. However, Jesus sternly commands the man to tell no one, instead instructing him to go directly to the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifices, as commanded by Moses. This fulfills the legal requirements and serves as a public demonstration for the religious authorities.
Jesus has just healed a man suffering from a severe case of leprosy, a miraculous act that would normally spark widespread excitement. However, Jesus sternly commands the man to tell no one, instead instructing him to go directly to the priests and offer the prescribed sacrifices, as commanded by Moses. This fulfills the legal requirements and serves as a public demonstration for the religious authorities.
"And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”" — Jesus’ command to tell no one wasn't about suppressing His fame, but about fulfilling the Law’s requirements and focusing on the spiritual purpose behind the ritual cleansing. The offering, commanded…
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Last reviewed October 2026