Jesus admonishes those who know him to keep his identity concealed. This motif, which is especially prevalent in the Gospel of Mark, has long puzzled interpreters. Modern scholars, who refer to it as “the messianic secret,” have offered multiple interpretations as to why Jesus admonishes the demons to be quiet. The most plausible explanation may be to understand “the messianic secret” as a rhetorical device, a literary technique used by Mark and intended for the reader of his Gospel.
