Matthew 12:16 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of the book Matthew, Jesus told people not to tell others about him because he wanted to keep his special work a secret for a while. He wanted people to understand who he was on their own, instead of just hearing from others.

Contradiction with Mark 5:19-20

In this passage, Jesus tells a man He healed to go home to his friends and tell them what the Lord has done for him, which contrasts with the instruction to not make Him known in Matthew 12:16.

Mark 5:19-20: Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Contradiction with Acts 1:8

This verse instructs the disciples to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, which implies they should make Jesus known, contrasting with the directive in Matthew 12:16.

Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. [power...: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you]

Contradiction with Matthew 28:19-20

The Great Commission commands spreading Jesus' teachings to all nations, which contradicts the command for silence in Matthew 12:16.

Matthew 28:19-20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations]

Contradiction with Mark 16:15

Jesus tells His followers to preach the gospel to every creature, a directive to make Him known, unlike in Matthew 12:16.

Mark 16:15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Contradiction with Luke 8:39

Jesus tells a man healed of demons to return home and tell of the great things God has done, a direct instruction to proclaim what occurred, opposing Matthew 12:16’s command for discretion.

Luke 8:39: Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus instructs His followers to be the light of the world and let their light shine before others, which suggests making Him known, contrary to Matthew 12:16.