Matthew 12:16 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And charged them that they should not make him known: Charged them that they should not make him known - See Matthew 8:4. Jesus Christ, as God, could have easily concealed himself, but he chooses to do it as man, and to use no other than human means, as these were quite sufficient for the purpose, to teach us not to neglect them in our necessity. Indeed, he always used his power less on his own account, than on that of men.