Luke 5:14 – “Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.'”
Extended Explanation
After healing the man with leprosy, Jesus gives him two instructions. First, He tells the man not to tell anyone about the miracle. This might seem surprising—why wouldn’t Jesus want others to know about such an incredible healing? The reason lies in Jesus’ purpose. He wasn’t just performing miracles to gain attention or popularity. His mission was to reveal God’s kingdom, and He wanted to avoid being seen as merely a miracle worker. Publicity at this point could distract from His teaching and cause unnecessary obstacles to His ministry.
Second, Jesus tells the man to show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices prescribed in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 14). According to Jewish law, a person healed from leprosy had to be examined by a priest to confirm the healing. This was a crucial step, as it allowed the healed person to be officially restored to the community and religious life. Jesus wanted the man to follow the proper steps, not just for his own benefit, but as a testimony to the religious leaders that something miraculous had happened.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish society, leprosy wasn’t just seen as a physical disease—it was a condition that made a person ritually unclean. According to the Law of Moses, someone with leprosy had to live outside the community and was cut off from social and religious life. If someone believed they had been healed, they had to go through a thorough examination by a priest and perform specific rituals involving sacrifices (Leviticus 14:1-32) to be officially declared clean.
Jesus’ instruction to follow this process shows that He respected the Mosaic Law. He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). By sending the man to the priest, Jesus demonstrates that His miracles are in harmony with God’s established law and that His mission is part of God’s greater redemptive plan.
The command to “not tell anyone” reflects Jesus’ concern about how His miracles could be misunderstood. If people saw Him only as a healer, they might miss His greater purpose: to bring spiritual salvation and the kingdom of God.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights several important theological truths:
- Jesus’ authority is greater than the law, but He respects and fulfills it. By healing the man and sending him to the priest, Jesus shows that His work is part of God’s unfolding plan, not a rebellion against it.
- Healing is about restoration, not just physical well-being. The man’s healing wasn’t complete until he was officially restored to the community and religious life. This mirrors the way salvation works—we aren’t just forgiven of sin; we are restored to fellowship with God and His people.
- Obedience to God’s commands is important, even after experiencing a miracle. Jesus didn’t want the man to skip the process outlined in the law. This teaches us that even when God intervenes in miraculous ways, we are still called to follow His instructions.
This verse also emphasizes that physical healing often points to a deeper spiritual reality. The man’s restoration to the community is a picture of the spiritual restoration that Jesus offers to all who come to Him in faith.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s writing highlights the balance between Jesus’ compassion and His purpose. The command not to tell anyone may seem strict, but it underscores Jesus’ focus on His mission. He didn’t want to be known merely as a miracle worker; He wanted people to understand the full scope of God’s kingdom.
The instruction to show himself to the priest serves as a turning point in the narrative. It connects the miracle to the broader Jewish context and the fulfillment of the law. The phrase “as a testimony to them” suggests that the man’s healing was meant to be a witness to the priests and religious leaders, possibly as a sign that the Messiah had come.
Biblical Cross-References
- Leviticus 14:1-32 – The law regarding the cleansing of a leper, which included priestly inspection and sacrifices.
- Matthew 5:17 – Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- Mark 1:44 – A parallel account of this healing, where Jesus gives the same instructions.
- Luke 17:14 – Jesus heals ten lepers and tells them to show themselves to the priests, demonstrating His respect for the law.
These references highlight the connection between Jesus’ miracles and the law, as well as His role in fulfilling God’s promises.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder of the importance of obedience and testimony. When God works in our lives, we are called to respond with obedience, just as the man was instructed to follow the law and show himself to the priest. Obedience is not a burden but a way to honor God and show that we trust His plans.
The command to “show yourself to the priest” also reminds us that our testimonies matter. The man’s healing wasn’t just for his own benefit—it was a witness to others of God’s power. Similarly, when God works in our lives, we should share our testimonies so that others can see His goodness and be drawn to Him.
This verse also challenges us to remember that miracles and blessings are not an end in themselves—they point us to a deeper relationship with God. The man’s healing wasn’t just about physical restoration; it was about being restored to full fellowship with God and His people.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His desire to fully restore people, not just physically but also spiritually and socially. The healing of the leper is a picture of God’s willingness to bring people back into community and fellowship. His love is not just about fixing problems temporarily—it’s about complete restoration.
Jesus’ instruction to follow the law reflects God’s love for order and His desire for people to live in harmony with His commands. By following God’s instructions, the man was able to fully experience the benefits of healing, including being welcomed back into the community.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the one who brings ultimate healing. By instructing the man to follow the requirements of the Mosaic Law, Jesus shows that His ministry is not separate from God’s plan but is its fulfillment. The cleansing of the leper is a sign that Jesus is the one who can restore not only physical health but also spiritual wholeness.
This healing foreshadows Jesus’ greater mission to cleanse humanity from sin through His death and resurrection. Just as the leper was declared clean and restored, those who trust in Jesus are cleansed from sin and brought into God’s family.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Jesus told the man not to tell anyone about the healing? How does this apply to how we view God’s blessings in our lives?
- What does Jesus’ instruction to follow the law teach us about the importance of obedience, even when we experience miracles?
- How does the concept of full restoration (physical, social, and spiritual) apply to your understanding of salvation?
- Have you experienced a moment when God’s work in your life became a testimony to others? How did that impact those around you?
- How can you balance gratitude for God’s blessings with a desire to live in obedience to His commands?
This verse is a powerful reminder that Jesus’ miracles are not just about physical healing—they point to the deeper work of restoration and reconciliation that God desires for everyone. Through obedience and testimony, we can experience the fullness of God’s blessings and share His love with others.