Probably Jesus instructed the disciples to tell no one about Him for at least two reasons. First, such an announcement would have hindered His mission. Second, the disciples would not have been able to cope with the questions and opposition such an announcement would generate. They still held many popular misconceptions about Israel"s Messiah that Jesus needed to correct. Jesus proceeded to continue preparing them so they could represent Him effectively. [source][source][source]
"At the center of his Gospel Mark placed Peter"s confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Up to this point the underlying question had been, "Who is He?" After Peter"s declaration on behalf of the Twelve, Mark"s narrative is oriented toward the Cross and the Resurrection. From now on the underlying double question was, "What kind of Messiah is Hebrews , and what does it mean to follow Him?" This crucial passage is the point to which the first half of the book leads and from which the second half proceeds." [1][source]
Context Summary
Mark 8:22-38 - The Cost Of Following Jesus
Our attention has been drawn to the Master's sighs; here, however, was another characteristic act. He spat on the eyes of the blind man, perhaps to excite his expectation and faith. Repulsive as ophthalmia is in the East, it did not repel Him nor staunch the flow of His pity.
We do not at once see everything clearly, but step by step we come unto perfect vision. Here we see through a glass darkly, there face to face. There was a great price to be paid; it was only through suffering and death that Jesus could do His greatest work, in redeeming and cleansing the children of men. He might have been the miracle-worker apart from Calvary; but to be the Savior, He must not spare Himself but be willing to pour out His soul even unto death. It was hard for the Apostles to learn this lesson; they wanted the Master to spare Himself. Peter, especially, sought to dissuade Him; but the Lord knew better the desperate need of men and how it must be met. There are three conditions to be fulfilled by those who have resolved to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 1. We must deny self; 2. Each must take up his cross; 3. We must think more of others than of ourselves. If these are realized, the soul is following Christ and making progress, even though it deems itself stagnant or drifting back. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 8
1Jesus feeds the people miraculously; 10refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees; 14admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod; 22gives a blind man his sight; 27acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again; 34and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel
Greek Commentary for Mark 8:30
Of him [περι αυτου] As being the Messiah, that he was the Christ (Matthew 16:20). Not yet, for the time was not yet ripe. When that comes, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the very stones will cry out, if men will not (Luke 19:40). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 8:30
2 Timothy 4:2Rebuke [ἐπιτίμησον] In Pastorals only here. oP. Mostly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it is frequent. It has two meanings: rebuke, as Matthew 8:26; Luke 17:3, and charge, as Matthew 12:16; Matthew 16:20, commonly followed by ἵνα thator λέγων saying(Matthew 20:31; Mark 1:25; Mark 3:12; Mark 8:30; Luke 4:35), but see Luke 9:21. The word implies a sharp, severe rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty ( τιμή ); charge on pain of. This might go to justify the rendering of Holtzmann and von Soden, threaten. To charge on pain of penalty for disobedience implies a menace, in this case of future judgment. [source]
What do the individual words in Mark 8:30 mean?
AndHe warnedthemthatno onethey should tellconcerningHim
Greek Commentary for Mark 8:30
As being the Messiah, that he was the Christ (Matthew 16:20). Not yet, for the time was not yet ripe. When that comes, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the very stones will cry out, if men will not (Luke 19:40). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 8:30
In Pastorals only here. oP. Mostly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it is frequent. It has two meanings: rebuke, as Matthew 8:26; Luke 17:3, and charge, as Matthew 12:16; Matthew 16:20, commonly followed by ἵνα thator λέγων saying(Matthew 20:31; Mark 1:25; Mark 3:12; Mark 8:30; Luke 4:35), but see Luke 9:21. The word implies a sharp, severe rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty ( τιμή ); charge on pain of. This might go to justify the rendering of Holtzmann and von Soden, threaten. To charge on pain of penalty for disobedience implies a menace, in this case of future judgment. [source]