Jesus strictly warned themThis phrase indicates the seriousness and urgency of Jesus' instruction. The Greek word used for "strictly warned" implies a stern command, emphasizing the importance of the disciples' obedience. This warning follows Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative. Jesus often used strong language to ensure His disciples understood the gravity of His teachings and the timing of His mission. This reflects the Messianic secret theme in the Gospels, where Jesus frequently instructed His followers to keep His identity concealed until the appropriate time.
not to tell this
The instruction "not to tell this" refers to the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. At this point in His ministry, Jesus was cautious about public declarations of His identity. The Jewish expectation of the Messiah was largely political and militaristic, anticipating a leader who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus' mission, however, was spiritual and redemptive, focusing on the salvation of humanity through His death and resurrection. Premature disclosure could have led to misunderstandings and hindered His mission. This aligns with other instances where Jesus instructed people to remain silent about His miracles or identity, such as inMark 1:44 andMark 8:30.
to anyone
The phrase "to anyone" underscores the universality of the command. Jesus wanted to prevent any misinterpretation or premature action that could arise from a widespread proclamation of His Messiahship. This instruction was not limited to a specific group but was meant to be a general directive to ensure that His mission unfolded according to divine timing. The broader context ofLuke 9 includes Jesus preparing His disciples for His impending suffering and death, which was contrary to popular Messianic expectations. By controlling the spread of information, Jesus ensured that His path to the cross remained unobstructed, fulfilling prophecies such asIsaiah 53, which spoke of the suffering servant.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is the Messiah who is instructing His disciples with a specific command.
2.
The DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' warning, they are followers of Christ who are being prepared for their future mission.
3.
The Event of the WarningThis occurs after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, marking a pivotal moment in the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Divine TimingJesus' command to keep His identity secret highlights the importance of God's timing in revealing His plans. We must trust in God's perfect timing in our own lives.
Understanding the Fullness of Christ's MissionThe disciples needed to grasp the full scope of Jesus' mission, including His suffering and resurrection, before proclaiming Him as the Messiah. We too must seek a comprehensive understanding of Christ's work.
The Role of Obedience in DiscipleshipJesus' instruction required obedience from the disciples, teaching us that following Christ involves listening and adhering to His commands, even when we do not fully understand them.
The Necessity of Spiritual PreparationBefore the disciples could effectively share the gospel, they needed spiritual preparation. We should also seek spiritual growth and readiness before undertaking God's work.
Guarding the Truth with WisdomJesus' warning suggests the need for wisdom in sharing spiritual truths. We must discern when and how to share the gospel appropriately.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 9:21?
2.Why did Jesus instruct them to "tell this to no one" in Luke 9:21?
3.How does Luke 9:21 emphasize the importance of timing in sharing the Gospel?
4.What Old Testament prophecies align with Jesus' identity revealed in Luke 9:21?
5.How can we discern when to share or withhold information about our faith?
6.How does Luke 9:21 guide us in respecting God's timing in evangelism?
7.Why did Jesus strictly warn them not to tell anyone about Him in Luke 9:21?
8.How does Luke 9:21 challenge the concept of evangelism?
9.What is the significance of Jesus' secrecy in Luke 9:21?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 9?
11.Why should I believe in Heaven and Hell?
12.What does a millstone symbolize in the Bible?
13.What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?
14.Why do the crowds in Matthew 21:9 publicly proclaim Jesus as the 'Son of David' if secular records are silent about this event?What Does Luke 9:21 Mean
Jesus• The subject of the sentence is the Messiah Himself—“Jesus.” All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18), and He speaks here from that authority.
• His identity has just been confessed by Peter as “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20), confirming what heaven declared at His baptism (Luke 3:22).
• As in other moments—such as the raising of Jairus’s daughter where He allows only a few witnesses (Luke 8:51)—Jesus governs revelation according to His divine timetable.
strictly warned• The phrase highlights an urgent, even stern tone. Similar intensity appears when He “sternly warned” healed lepers (Mark 1:43).
• Jesus is not hesitant or uncertain; His warning underscores the importance of obedience. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
• The gravity here underlines that premature proclamation could hinder the Father’s redemptive plan.
them• “Them” refers to the Twelve, just identified by name earlier (Luke 9:1). They had received power and authority, yet still needed guidance.
• Even the most privileged disciples must submit to Christ’s timing (Acts 1:7). This warning calibrates their zeal with divine wisdom.
not to tell• Silence until the right moment protects both mission and hearers. When Jesus heals the deaf man, He again commands secrecy (Mark 7:36).
• Announcing His Messiahship too soon could inflame political expectations, prompting crowds to seize Him as a worldly king (John 6:15).
• The command also shields the unfolding path to the cross, “for His hour had not yet come” (John 7:30).
this• “This” refers to the revelation that He is “the Christ of God” and, by extension, His forthcoming suffering and resurrection (Luke 9:22).
• The full gospel requires both identity and mission. Until the cross and empty tomb, the disciples hold a partial picture (John 12:16).
to anyone• The prohibition is comprehensive—no audience, no exceptions—for now.
• After the resurrection the command flips: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).
• The contrast highlights the shift from concealment to proclamation once the saving work is finished (Acts 2:32–36).
summaryJesus, fully aware of the Father’s perfect timetable, issues a firm directive to His disciples: keep silent about His Messiahship until the appointed hour. The warning safeguards the divine plan, prevents political misunderstanding, and readies the disciples for a later, Spirit-empowered witness. Obedience to Christ’s timing remains as vital today as it was beside Caesarea Philippi.
Verse 21. -
And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing. It would have
been no hard task for the disciples to have gone about with an expression of their earnest conviction that the great Prophet was indeed the long looked-for King Messiah, and thus to have raised the excitable crowds to any wild pitch of enthusiasm. It was only a very short time
back that, moved by the miracle of the loaves, the multitudes wished to crown him King by force.
That was not the kind of homage Jesus sought; besides which, any such enthusiasm thus evoked would quickly have died away, and a hostile reaction would have set in when the high hopes excited by the idea of King Messiah were contradicted by the life of suffering and self-denial which Jesus sternly set himself to live through to its bitter end. This life he sketched out for them in the severe language of the next verse.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[Jesus] strictly warnedἐπιτιμήσας(epitimēsas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2008:From epi and timao; to tax upon, i.e. Censure or admonish; by implication, forbid.themαὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.{not} to tellλέγειν(legein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.thisτοῦτο(touto)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.to [anyone].μηδενὶ(mēdeni)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3367:No one, none, nothing.
Links
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NT Gospels: Luke 9:21 But he warned them and commanded them (Luke Lu Lk) 
