[Vers. 20] VERS. 20. Then charged he his Disciples, that they should tell no man that he was Iesus the Christ.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth not simply signifie Iussit he commanded, or prohibuit, he forbad them, but gra∣viter interdixit, he strictly charged, or seriously prohibited them to tell that hee was Iesus the Christ.
[Quest. 1] Why did our Saviour forbid them to make him known? why did he charge them not to tell who he was? would the Messia•• not bee known now when he is come? yea did he not often discover himself to be the Christ, unto the Jews? Iohn. 5. and 9. and 10. yea had he not commanded his Disciples to declare & preach him unto all peo∣ple, and that publikely? Mar. 10.27. Why then doth he now forbid them to preach the Gospel: for to teach that he is Iesus the Christ, which is here forbidden, is no other then to preach the Gospel, which is elsewhere commanded?
[Answ. 1] First, our Saviour now forbids them to preach the Gospel, because his death and suffering ap∣proaching, and their mindes being troubled a∣bout it, they were not fit to preach so Heavenly a Mystery. Now whom to God sends about some no∣table employment, or Embassage, he fits also and armes with notable strength, power, and courage of the Spirit, and he sends none whom he doth not thus fit. Wherefore the Spirit not being as yet given unto them, they were not fit and able e∣nough for so great a work. Cameron s. pag 43 calce.
[Answ. 2] Secondly, Christ being to leave his Disciples shortly, would not expose them to so much ha∣tred, and malice, as the preaching of the Gospel brought along with it: but he would have them stay, untill they were corroborated by the Spirit, who was given unto them after his Ascension, Luk 22.35. Cameron s.
[Answ. 3] Thirdly, Christ being shortly to be crucified, would not send his Disciples from him: because it was requisite that they should be eye-witnesses, of his apprehending, arraigning, condemning, crucifying, and resurrection: that they might preach the truth of the Gospell, the more confi∣dently.
Fourthly: this prohibition and charge which [Answ. 4] is here given, is not to be understood absolutely but with limitation, that is, not as yet, for after his Resurrection they are commanded to preach him to all nations. And this is plain from a Pa∣rallel place in the next Chapter. Chap. 17.9. where he forbids them to divulge his Transfiguration, but withall addes this limitation, Vntill the Sonne of man be risen from the dead.
Why would not Christ have his Disciples to [Quest. 2] publish and declare him to be the Messiah, till af∣ter his resurrection?
First, (as was said before) in regard of them, [Answ. 1] because he knew that they were not as yet suffi∣ciently instructed in the faith, nor sufficiently enriched with spirituall gifts and graces, for the discharging of so great a work.
Secondly, in regard of the Jewes, because he [Answ. 2] knew that if his Apostles should tell that their Master was the Messiah, yet they would not be∣leeve it, but deride them for it. For they would not beleeve it, when he was risen again.
Thirdly, Pareus (in hunc locum. fol. 764) thinks [Answ. 3] Christ gave this charge to his Apostles, in regard of himself; lest his death should by some means have been hindered: and this Answer is warrant∣ed from that place, If they had known the Lord of glory, they would not have crucified him. 1 Cor. 2.8.