Matthew 12:16

And charged them, &c.— To what we have observed concerning the reasons why our Lord desired to conceal his mighty works in the note on ch. Matthew 8:4 we would add the following remarks: This concealment of himself may seem strange in one who was come to bring light into the world, and was to suffer death for the testimony of the truth. This reservedness may be thought to look as if he had a mind to conceal himself, and not to be known to the world for the Messiah, nor to be believed in as such; but we should be of another mind, and conclude this proceeding of his according to divine wisdom, and suited to a fuller manifestation and evidence of his being the Messiah, when we consider that he was to fill up the time foretold for his ministry; and, after a life illustrious in miracles and good works, attended with humility, meekness, patience, and suffering, and every way conformable to the prophesies concerning him; should be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and with all quiet submission be brought to the cross, though there was no guilt or fault found in him. This could not have been, if, as soon as he appeared in public and began to preach, he had presently professed himself to have been the Messiah, the king who owned that kingdom which he published to be at hand; for the Sanhedrim would then have laid hold of it, to have got him in their power, and thereby have taken away his life; at least they would have disturbed his ministry, and hindered the work he was about; unless he had exercised his Almighty power in a way that we have no right to expect. That this induced him to avoid the occasions of provoking them, and falling into their hands, is plain from John 7:1. Such was the will of our Blessed Saviour, who could have called for legions of angels to have assisted him, or done himself what he pleased in heaven, in earth, and in hell.