Definition: And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 8:56. It's a really important and slightly mysterious passage about Jesus’s identity. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that when Jesus was born, his parents were incredibly surprised and worried. They were expecting a baby, but this baby was different – he was special and unique. They didn't want anyone to know about him, and they took steps to keep him secret. Let’s unpack it: "And her parents were astonished..." : This means Jesus was born, and his parents were deeply moved and surprised by the incredible event. They probably weren’t expecting a baby to be born. "...but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done." : This is the key part. Jesus told his parents not to tell anyone about him, including the authorities or anyone else. He wanted to protect his identity and keep his purpose secret. What does this mean in a broader sense? This verse speaks to a crucial theme in the Bible: Jesus’s importance is not meant to be known by everyone. It's about protecting Jesus from being exploited, misused, or misunderstood. It's also a reminder that God has a plan for his Son and that he wants to remain unseen for now. Why is this important? Jesus’s Purpose: The verse suggests that Jesus was born to fulfill a divine purpose – to become the Messiah. Keeping him hidden allows him to achieve that purpose in the future. Protection of Faith: It encourages believers to guard their faith and teachings, as they are precious and should not be shared carelessly. In short, this verse is a reminder that Jesus’s identity is vital and needs to be protected. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? Or would you like me to connect it to a specific Bible story or concept? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism behind the secrecy. The significance of Jesus’s identity as the Messiah.