Messianic Secret: Son of God and Son of Man in Mark

Introduction to the Messianic Secret

The Messianic Secret is an expression referring to the gospel motif found in Mark, wherein Jesus issues commands at various times — whether to devils or to his disciples — that they should keep his divinity a secret. This motif may also serve as a theme of the larger gospel message as a whole, established in the words spoken by Jesus to his mother, "But woman, it is not yet my time," at the wedding feast at Cana. Because Jesus's mission was to "lay down his life for his sheep," he knew that those who opposed him would seek his life. Yet he also committed himself to a public ministry in which he taught and healed, and, according to Mark, did so with a desire that his fame not be spread by words or gossip.

In one sense, the command for silence was a lesson in allowing one's actions to speak for oneself — as Jesus teaches again in his silence before Pilate. However, his commands "to tell no one" are also a sign of authority over both spirits and followers, as well as a sign of humility: earthly fame is not what Jesus's mission is about. This paper discusses the Messianic Secret and examines how the titles "Son of God" and "Son of Man" relate to this expression.

Mark's particular telling of the Christ event is oriented toward a specific audience with specific needs. As Raymond E. Brown notes, the "secret about the Messiah was an important factor in Mark."¹ Because Mark's Gospel was directed toward the Gentiles, its focus on the divinity of Jesus was primary. To this end, Mark explores the ways in which the Messiah demonstrated his divinity through miracles and authority over spirits.

Purposes Behind Jesus's Commands for Secrecy

The command for secrecy corroborates the overall air of mystery associated with the Redeemer's mission: born of noble lineage but of obscure origins, raised in secrecy out of the public eye after a tremendous homage made by three foreign wise men, and the indirect cause of a slaughter of innocents after his birth sparked jealous rage in an evil king — all these events speak to a degree of prudence and caution in the life of the Messiah. If Jesus commands his followers and the spirits who know him to be silent on his account, it is quite possible that he does so in a spirit of prudence, fearing repercussions for his disciples should too many people begin talking. Indeed, once Jesus's popularity increases, the high priests become as jealously enraged as the king who ordered the killing of the innocents — so this caution is not unjustified. Likewise, because Jesus's disciples were humble and at times not particularly strong in faith, this caution may have served as further protection for them. After all, Peter, who had shown great faith in Jesus, rejected him upon his arrest: with this in mind, it is no wonder that Jesus commanded them to keep his works quiet.

The fact that Jesus's mission was united to the cross — and that his followers could not yet understand this — may also explain the Messianic Secret. Jesus revealed his mission little by little. Had he revealed everything at once, his followers, human beings as they were, would likely not have remained his followers. Therefore, Jesus attempts to lessen the blow, so to speak, by teaching them the way of the cross before the reality of the cross is actually forced upon them. In this sense, the command to keep his miracles silent illustrates Jesus's desire not to glory in himself but rather in the works of his Father. Jesus did not come to give glory to himself but rather to take humiliation upon himself. To allow his followers to trumpet his magnificence would be to send the wrong message at this point in time, and would likely lead to confusion when the actual mission of the Redeemer was revealed.

Indeed, in spite of his commandments, the followers of Jesus still appear to have spread word far and wide of his deeds, as great crowds began to follow him — and from them Jesus had to flee to avoid the temptation that Satan offered of an earthly crown. Thus, it may be argued that the Messianic Secret was part of Jesus's objective: to heal and forgive, but also to remain humble and pure before God.

Brown notes how Wrede objects to the historical accuracy of the Messianic Secret because he finds it "implausible," but Wrede's criticism has itself been criticized in turn.² The fact that Jesus calls for silence is not at all implausible considering his mission and his emphasis on an interior or hidden life. Jesus is not against helping those in need — in fact, he does so willingly and spontaneously once his public ministry gets underway — but he is not a promoter for the sake of self. He denies having any family other than those who "do the will of God" (Mark 3:35).

The Triune God and the Mystery of Christ's Identity

This raises another question: why does Christ refer to God as another Person, if he himself is God? Jesus refers to himself as both the Son of God and the Son of Man, and both are significant titles. To answer the first question: Jesus reveals that there are three distinct Persons in God — the Father, of whom he often speaks; the Son himself; and the Holy Spirit, who descends upon the Apostles after Jesus's Ascension. So when Jesus refers to God as another Person, he is referring to one of the other Persons of the Holy Trinity. This Triune God is itself another mystery, which cannot be fully understood, and thus adds to the nature of the Messianic Secret.

Conclusion

Jesus commands the devils and his followers to keep his miracles secret because his "time is not yet come" — and because his mission is not simply to heal the sick but to provide the means for real spiritual redemption through his suffering and death on the cross. Everything else is, to some degree, a distraction. Jesus illuminates this mission through his self-applied titles as Son of God and Son of Man, implying two distinct natures within himself. These natures are what allow him to make the ultimate sacrifice of Redemption through his suffering and death, which Mark describes in the Passion, owing to its primary importance in Jesus's mission.

Bibliography

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997.