Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 8:4

"And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." — Matthew 8:4 (ASV)

And Jesus said unto him, See thou tell no man;

Do not spread the news; the crowd is inconvenient already. It was not only Christ's modesty but also Christ's wisdom to keep down the throng a little, for they were too many who gathered about him.

But go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

While the ceremonial law stood, Christ was very careful to pay it honour. He came not to destroy, but he came to build up and to fulfill. He would have this man go and get a certificate from the priest that he was cleansed. Perhaps if he did not go at once, when it was found out that Christ healed him, the certificate might have been denied, and the man might not have been able to mingle with the company; therefore, he sent him away quickly, to go to the priest with his offering to get the assurance that he was really cleansed. When Christ's work is certified by Christ's voice, then it is sure indeed.

Our Lord would not increase His own reputation. He sought no honor from men, and He did not wish to swell the crowds which, even now, made it almost impossible for Him to go about His work. He sought usefulness and not fame. It would have been hard for the leper to hold his tongue, but he should have done so when instructed. Let us then speak, or be silent, as our Lord requires.

The old law stood, and our Lord would have it honored while it lasted. Therefore, the healed leper must go to the priest, present his offering, and get from the proper official a certificate of health. Besides, he would thus bear witness to the nation that there was One among them who could cure the leprosy. The man was clean, and yet he must go to be ceremonially cleansed.

After we have the thing signified by an ordinance, we are not, therefore, to dispense with the sign, but rather to attend to it with care. How prudent was it on the part of our Lord not to remove ancient regulations until the full time had come for the introduction of the new!

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man;

He will never say that to you or to me. But while he was here on earth, our Lord was very modest and retiring. He wished to conceal himself as much as possible. He did not strive, nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets.

He sets us an example of what true power is. For true power does not flaunt itself before the eyes of men or advertise itself at every corner of the street; instead, it longs to conceal itself, fully aware that it will receive all the necessary publicity, because such wonders cannot be hidden.

But go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

The man was to make his cleansing known in the legal way. Our Lord Jesus Christ was very careful to observe the law while it still stood; and we also should take care not to observe that ceremonialism which has passed away, but diligently to keep what is still of divine authority and of present force.