The Messianic Secret

Question 1

What did Wilhelm Wrede say about the ‘Messianic Secret’?

Answer 1

• that Jesus wanted to hide His identity from His enemies by commanding the disciples to keep silent about His mission on earth & the miracles He performed
• Wrede claimed that Jesus did not ever think He was the Messiah & that Mark (& the rest of the NT authors) sensationalised (exaggerated) Jesus & made Him into the Messiah
• Wrede claims Mark added the Messianic Secret in an attempt to give a reason for why Jesus was not accepted by many as Messiah until after his death

Question 2

Why did Jesus keep his identity a secret?

Answer 2

because he knew publicity about the healing would hinder His ability to minister in the area, which is exactly what happened when the leper (person suffering from leprosy) disobeyed, & worse, the sensationalism caused by miraculous healings would hamper (delay) the spreading of His message