But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Despite Jesus' direct command to keep the healing a secret, these men, overjoyed and filled with gratitude, couldn't contain themselves. Their immediate need to spread the news reveals a powerful human impulse to share the good they've experienced, even when it means disobeying.
But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately after Jesus healed two blind men, he instructed them not to tell anyone, but they disregarded his command. Filled with excitement about their restored sight, they went out and spread news of Jesus' healing power throughout the entire region. This act, though a testament to their joy and gratitude, directly disobeyed Jesus' wish to keep his miracles quiet for the time being.
Jesus often told those he healed to keep quiet about what happened. Why would he do that?
Jesus' Strategic Silence
It might seem strange that Jesus, after performing such incredible acts of healing, would tell people not to talk about it. But his commands for silence weren't about suppressing good news; they were strategic.
These individuals couldn't contain their excitement, leading them to disobey Jesus. What does this teach us about our own responses?
The Power of a Grateful Heart
This is where the story gets really human. Despite Jesus' clear instruction, the two men went out and spread the word. While their actions technically disobeyed Jesus, the underlying motivation is something we can understand: overwhelming gratitude.
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Understand the original words
phēmē · Greek Noun
An internal or external manifestation of supernatural power or authority; in the Gospels, it frequently refers to the reputation of Jesus spreading due to His miraculous works.
The prompt obedience of the healed men was not as valued by Jesus as their faith; their subsequent spreading of his fame, though a natural response of gratitude, went against his specific command.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Jesus heals two blind men near Capernaum after testing their faith. He instructs them to keep his healing a secret.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
Immediately after the healing of the blind men, Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, astonishing the crowds.
c. 30 AD
Pharisees Accuse Jesus
The Pharisees, witnessing Jesus' miracles, accuse him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, a sign of their hardened opposition.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus continues his ministry throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, facing increasing opposition from religious authorities.
This passage describes a similar situation where a healed leper, despite Jesus' warning to keep quiet, goes out and spreads the news widely, highlighting the pattern of people's eagerness to share Jesus' works.
Luke 5:15Here, the account of Jesus healing a leper also notes that he instructed the man to tell no one, yet the healed person spread the news, underscoring the theme of healed individuals disobeying Jesus' command to silence and instead proclaiming his fame.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse emphasizes that 'to obey is better than sacrifice,' which speaks to the core tension in Matthew 9:31 where the healed individuals' joyful proclamation, while understandable, was a disobedience to Jesus' direct command.
Isaiah 35:5-6This prophecy foretells that in the coming messianic age, the eyes of the blind will be opened, directly connecting to the miracle in Matthew 9 and showing how Jesus' actions were fulfilling Old Testament expectations.
barnesMatthew 9:31: "But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country."
But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame - The report of what he had done. This was not unnatural for them. They were so filled with joy that they could not repress their feelings. In this, however, they violated the express command of the Saviour; but he was not responsible for that.
pulpitMatthew 9:31: "But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country."
Verse 31. - But they, when they were departed; but they went forth and (Revised Version). The very moment that they left the house (cf, ver. 32) they disobeyed him. Observe that the phrases used in this verso are possibly due to a reminiscence of the similar phrases found in Mark 1:45 of the leper. Spread abroad his fame in all that country; land (Revised Version); ver. 26, note.
Despite Jesus' direct command to keep the healing a secret, these men, overjoyed and filled with gratitude, couldn't contain themselves. Their immediate need to spread the news reveals a powerful human impulse to share the good they've experienced, even when it means disobeying.
Immediately after Jesus healed two blind men, he instructed them not to tell anyone, but they disregarded his command. Filled with excitement about their restored sight, they went out and spread news of Jesus' healing power throughout the entire region. This act, though a testament to their joy and gratitude, directly disobeyed Jesus' wish to keep his miracles quiet for the time being.
Immediately after Jesus healed two blind men, he instructed them not to tell anyone, but they disregarded his command. Filled with excitement about their restored sight, they went out and spread news of Jesus' healing power throughout the entire region. This act, though a testament to their joy and gratitude, directly disobeyed Jesus' wish to keep his miracles quiet for the time being.
"But they went away and spread his fame through all that district." — Despite Jesus' direct command to keep the healing a secret, these men, overjoyed and filled with gratitude, couldn't contain themselves. Their immediate need to spread the news reveals a powerful hum…
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Last reviewed October 2026