Mark 5:35

Ver. 35-43. There is nothing in this history needeth further notes for explication, than what we gave in the notes on Matthew, to which I here refer the reader; See Poole on "Matthew 9:18", See Poole on "Matthew 9:19", See Poole on "Matthew 9:23", and following verses to Matthew 9:31. There is nothing more unaccountable in all the passages of our Saviour's life recorded by the evangelists, than the charges that he gave to several persons healed by him, that no man should know it. Especially if we consider:

1. That he did not charge all so; he bid the person possesses with the devil, Luke 5:19, go home to his friends, and tell them how great things the Lord had done for him.

2. That he could not expect to be concealed had they yielded obedience, for his miracles were done openly, and it was not likely that all would keep silence, nay, he commanded the leper to go and show himself to the priests.

3. Few of those thus charged did keep silence; nor do we ever find that Christ reflected blame on them, from which yet we cannot acquit them. But we must not think to understand the reasons of all Christ's actions and speeches; he had doubtless wise ends in doing it, though we do not understand them.