Note 3 at Lu 5:14: There were many instances where Jesus encouraged people to remain silent (Mt 8:4, 9:30, 12:16, 16:20, 17:9; Mr 1:44, 5:43, 8:26, 30; Lu 5:14, 8:56, and 9:21). There could have been many reasons for His charge to remain silent, such as too much publicity actually limited His freedom to move about, as can be seen in Mr 1:45; 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; or He was discouraging the people from trying to take Him by force and make Him king, as in Joh 6:15, as well as many other possible motives.

However, there is only one place in Scripture that this action is explained, and that is in Mt 12:15-21. Matthew quoted Isa 42:1-4 and stated 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 Joh 2:24).

Note 4 at Lu 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.