Note 3 at Lk. 5:14: There are many instances where Jesus encouraged people to remain silent (Mt. 8:4; 9:30; 12:16; 16:20; 17:9; Mk. 1:44; 5:43; 8:26,30; Lk. 5:14; 8:56; 9:21). There could be many reasons for His charge to remain silent such as (1) too much publicity actually limited His freedom to move about as can be seen in Mark 1:45; (2) too much acclaim from the people would have forced the religious leaders to try to silence Him sooner, and there was still much of His mission to fulfill; (3) He was discouraging the people from trying to take Him by force and make Him king as in John 6:15; and there could be many other reasons.

However, there is only one place in scripture that this action is explained, and that is in Matthew 12:15-21. Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 and states that Jesus fulfilled prophecy by not striving nor crying nor lifting up His voice in the streets.

Jesus said of Himself, "I am meek and lowly in heart" (Mt. 11:29). Jesus was not like modern day "promoters" who thrive on the mass hysteria of the moment (see note 2 at Jn. 2:24, p. 48).

Note 4 at Lk. 5:14: All three gospel accounts mention this leper going before the priest and offering his gifts, according to the law of Moses, as "a testimony unto them." His appearing before the priest was commanded by Jesus for the sole purpose of being a witness. He had already been healed. This is the same way our church sacraments (i.e. water baptism and communion) should be administered. They simply testify of what has already taken place through the new birth.