Mark 3:12

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 3:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he charged them much that they should not make him known.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he charged them much that they should not make him known.
Mark 3:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And he charged them much that they should not make him known.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he straitly charged them, etc..] Or vehemently rebuked them, as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; or threatened them much and vehemently, as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic. The Persic version renders it, “threatened many”; both the devils that confessed him, and the many that were healed of their diseases: he gave them a strict and severe charge, that they should not make him known; or “his work”, as the Arabic, his miracles: he sought not vain glory and popular applause, nor did he need the testimony of men or devils; and especially did not choose the latter, lest his enemies should traduce him, as having familiarity with them, as they did.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Unclean spirits - Persons who were possessed of evil spirits. Thou art the Son of God - The Son of God, by way of eminence. In this place it is equivalent to the Messiah, who was, among the Jews, called the Son of God. Hence, they were charged not to make him known, because he was not desirous that it should be blazoned abroad that he claimed to be the Messiah. He had not yet done what he wished in order to establish his claims to the Messiahship. He was poor and unhonored, and the claim would be treated as that of an impostor. “For the present,” therefore, he did not wish that it should be proclaimed abroad that he was the Messiah. The circumstance here referred to demonstrates the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He charged them not to make him known - It was not the time: nor were they fit preachers. Mark 3:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mar 1:25, Mar 1:34; Mat 12:16; Act 16:18 Mark 3:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification